PWHL Vancouver sign Ashton Bell to two-year extension

PWHL Vancouver announced Thursday that defender Ashton Bell has signed a two-year contract extension with the club that will keep her with the team through the 2027-28 season.

Vancouver acquired Bell and the one year remaining on her contract when she was taken No. 1 overall in the 2025 PWHL Expansion Draft last June.

“Already in my short time here, this city and the excitement around having a team out west has been incredible,” said Bell in a team statement. “I can’t wait for puck drop this season and to be alongside the inaugural group bringing professional women’s hockey to Vancouver. This is the start of something special and I’m looking forward to building a legacy together.”

Bell spent the last two seasons with the Ottawa Charge and was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team in 2024. Last season, she scored three goals and added three assists for six points in 27 regular-season games, then recorded a goal in eight playoff games, helping lead the Charge to the PWHL Final.

“We are excited to form a long-term commitment with Ashton and have her help lead our defense core in Vancouver through our first three seasons,” said PWHL General Manager Cara Gardner Morey. “Ashton will play a significant part in building the foundation of our defence. She is going to be a leader both on the ice and in the locker room, and we are delighted to have her with us through 2027-28.”

Bell spent five seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, recording 43 goals and 76 assists for 119 points in 164 career games. She was named team MVP in 2020-21 and served as co-captain in her final season.

Internationally, Bell has represented Canada on numerous occasions, including the 2022 Beijing Olympics, winning gold. She also led Canada to three gold medals at the World Championships in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

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