PWHL Detroit signs Nina Jobst-Smith to one-year contract
A promising young rearguard is coming to Hockeytown.
On Sunday, PWHL Detroit announced that the team has signed defender Nina Jobst-Smith to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season.
The signing is the new team’s second move in Phase 4 of the 2026 PWHL Expansion Player Distribution Process, and ninth overall, as the team signed Shiann Darkangelo earlier in the day. General manager Manon Rheaume added forward Taylor Girard and defender Sydney Bard to two-year deals during the third phase. They all join the team’s five foundational signings – Daryl Watts, Britta Curl-Salemme, Jesse Compher, Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes – with Hilary Knight expected to be traded to Detroit on Tuesday.
Jobst-Smith was taken by the Vancouver Goldeneyes in the third round, 19th overall, of the 2025 PWHL Draft. She was one of the team’s notable picks in the event, bringing loads of international experience and talent from her days at Minnesota Duluth. Unfortunately, her professional career took a while to get underway, as the North Vancouver, B.C., native was placed on long-term injured reserve before last season. She ended up missing the first nine games of the season, but became a regular in the lineup upon her return. She posted just three assists in 20 appearances, registering a plus/minus of -3 while averaging a little over 12 minutes of ice time per game.
While her PWHL numbers didn’t open any eyes, her efforts at the Winter Olympics in February showed her potential and then some. Scoring two goals and three points in five games, Jobst-Smith finished tied for fourth on Germany in scoring, helping the team finish second in Group B. Ultimately, the team lost to Canada in the quarterfinals.
Detroit can add one more player during this phase. Phase 4 of the expansion process continues through 3 p.m. ET on June 15.