PWHL Vancouver signs former Frost defenders Thompson, Jaques as club's first players
2-time Walter Cup champions each acquired during exclusive signing window
Vancouver's new Professional Women's Hockey League team has signed its first player, nabbing defender Claire Thompson from the Minnesota Frost.
The two-time Walter Cup champions left the 27-year-old defender exposed and Vancouver inked her to a one-year contract when the exclusive signing window opened to expansion teams on Wednesday. Vancouver later announced the signing of Thompson's Frost teammate and fellow blueliner Sophie Jaques to a three-year contract.
"I'm incredibly excited to join PWHL Vancouver and be a part of this new chapter of women's ice hockey," Thompson said in a release. "The opportunity to help build something special from the ground up is truly meaningful. I can't wait to connect with the fans and represent this city."
Thompson, who hails from Toronto, had four goals and 14 assists in 30 games for Minnesota last season. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Jaques had seven goals and 15 assists in 25 games, tying Toronto's Renata Fast for top spot in scoring for league defenders.
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Thompson added another six helpers in eight playoff appearances, while Jaques, from Toronto, had two goals and five assists as the Frost captured the league championship for a second straight year.
Thompson and Jaques are both finalists for the PWHL's defender of the year honour.
Thompson and Jaques both have ample international experience. Thompson helped Canada to gold at the 2021 world championships and the 2022 Beijing Olympics, while Jaques was also on the world championship team that took silver earlier this year.
The move to Vancouver will reunite Thompson with general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who was her coach at Princeton.
"Claire is one of the best defenders in the world and a phenomenal leader who will help create a culture of excellence in Vancouver," Gardner Morey said in a release. "Having had the privilege of coaching Claire at Princeton, I know how exceptional she is as a player and as a person and couldn't be prouder to build our foundation with her contributions both on and off the ice."
