By Canadian Press

PWHL Vancouver takes defender Ashton Bell first overall in expansion draft

Jun 9, 2025 | 6:56 PM

Vancouver’s new Professional Women’s Hockey League team has selected defender Ashton Bell first overall in the league’s first-ever expansion draft.

The 25-year-old blue liner from Deloraine, Man., spent the last two seasons playing in Ottawa.

Bell contributed three goals and three assists over 27 regular-season games with the Charge last season, and added one more of each over eight playoff appearances.

Vancouver signed five players during an exclusive signing period for the two expansion clubs last week, including defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques from the Minnesota Frost, former Ottawa Charge goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer, former Toronto Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse, and former Montreal Victoire forward Jenn Gardiner.

Each of the PWHL’s six founding teams has protected four players from the draft.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Vancouver and Seattle can select from any other player who is under contract for next season or whose playing rights are held for next season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.

The Canadian Press

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.