PWHL Vancouver Signs Claire Thompson to One-Year Contract

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PWHL Vancouver

PWHL Vancouver Signs Claire Thompson to One-Year Contract

June 4, 2025 - Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
Vancouver News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - PWHL Vancouver today announced that defender Claire Thompson has agreed to terms on a one-year Professional Women's Hockey League Standard Player Agreement to join the team for the 2025-26 season. Thompson, a finalist for the league's 2025 Defender of the Year award and 2025 Walter Cup champion with the Minnesota Frost, becomes the first player to sign with PWHL Vancouver ahead of the team's inaugural campaign.

"Claire is one of the best defenders in the world and a phenomenal leader who will help create a culture of excellence in Vancouver," said Cara Gardner Morey, PWHL Vancouver General Manager. "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."

Thompson finished third in scoring among defenders with 18 points, including four goals and 14 assists, in 30 games with Minnesota. Returning to professional hockey after spending a year focusing on her medical studies, the third overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft was the first of four players this season, and only defender, to deliver a record-tying four-point performance with a goal and three assists on Dec. 19 in just her fourth career game. Thompson also finished fourth in playoff scoring with six assists in eight games as an integral part of the Frost's championship run. The 27-year-old from Toronto, ON, spent her NCAA career at Princeton University and has represented Canada at the Olympics (2022 Gold), and at three IIHF Women's World Championships (2021 Gold, 2023 Silver, 2025 Silver).

"I'm incredibly excited to join PWHL Vancouver and be a part of this new chapter of women's ice hockey," said Thompson. "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!"

Expansion teams have been granted an exclusive window to sign a maximum of five players up until Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. ET. The 2025 Expansion Draft presented by Upper Deck will take place on Monday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET where Seattle and Vancouver will select a minimum of seven players each until each has reached a 12-player roster.

Fans can place a time-stamped deposit for PWHL Vancouver to secure priority access to season tickets for their historic inaugural season, once ticket packages are released. For the latest news and updates, fans can subscribe to the Vancouver newsletter.



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