What a week it has been for PWHL Vancouver.

With an opportunity to steal top talent from across the league through the expansion draft, General Manager Cara Gardner Morey seized the moment and built a competitive roster with a promise of more to come in upcoming free agency.

In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of the initial 12 players signed by the team:

Sarah Nurse is arguably the biggest steal of the entire expansion process. She’s a dynamic playmaker, a talented goalscorer, and one of the most well-known personalities in Canadian hockey right now. In signing Nurse, not only does Vancouver get a strong top-six forward, but they also get the face of their franchise, who will surely be a part of their leadership group going forward. While Nurse suffered some injury misfortune last season that seemed to affect her even after her return, she is primed for a huge bounce-back year, especially since it’s an Olympic season. Nurse had a tournament-leading 18 points at the 2022 Olympics en route to another Gold medal performance for Team Canada.

In their free agency window, they also locked down Surrey, BC native Jenn Gardiner. The 23-year-old winger made a splash in her rookie season, with 18 points in 30 games played. Through the season, she earned a spot on the Victoire’s top line, playing alongside stars Marie Philip-Poulin and Laura Stacey, quickly becoming one of the league’s most feared lines. The homegrown skater is sure to quickly become a fan favourite and keep improving in her sophomore season in Vancouver.

With the fourth and fifth picks in the draft, Gardner Morey selected Brooke McQuigge from the Frost and Abby Boreen from the Victoire.

McQuigge had 15 points in 29 games in her rookie season with Minnesota, with a 20% shooting percentage, en route to their second Walter Cup win. Taken yesterday on her 25th birthday, she’s a simple but physical player who has a lot to offer for this new roster.

Consistently snubbed from Team USA, Boreen is a sneaky pick for Vancouver. Playing on two 10-day contracts as a reserve player in the league’s inaugural season, she had five points in nine games. She was then taken by Montreal in last year’s draft, earning 14 points in 30 games through her first full season. She’s a fast and versatile player who is bound to thrive with the right linemates alongside her.

Rounding out Vancouver’s picks were Izzy Daniel from the Sceptres, Gabby Rosenthal from the Sirens, and Denisa Křížová from the Frost.

Daniel won the 2024 Patty Kazmaier Award as college hockey’s top female player, but had trouble producing in her rookie season in Toronto and is likely to benefit from a change of scenery.

Rosenthal and Křížová both produced single digits in the points column this season, but are both RFAs this summer, meaning Vancouver can re-sign them at a low cost to save space for free agency.

Gardner Morey started Vancouver’s exclusive free agency window off with a bang last Monday, signing defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques from the Minnesota Frost. Coming off a championship-winning season with the Frost, the pair were top three in points among defenders through both the regular season and the playoffs, and are both finalists for Defender of the Year.

Ottawa’s Ashton Bell was maybe a surprise pick at first overall in the Expansion Draft, but her leadership could lead her to be an early candidate to be Vancouver’s first team captain, having worn the C already with the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Sydney Bard from the Boston Fleet rounded out Vancouver’s picks in the draft. While maybe not the splashiest name available, the 24-year-old is a smart depth piece that will contribute defensively from day one.

Maschmeyer was certainly one of the best goaltenders left unprotected through expansion, finishing last season with a 2.58 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. The veteran netminder had some injury trouble last season and is occasionally inconsistent. But when she is playing her best hockey, she’s a force to be reckoned with.

The 30-year-old has also made numerous international appearances, playing a part in Canada’s Gold medal-winning team at the 2022 Olympics. She has that to go along with making eight World Championship rosters, with three Golds and eight medals total.

After signing Maschmeyer, Gardner Morey opted not to select any goaltenders in the draft, with an opportunity to find her backup during free agency or in the PWHL Entry Draft later this month.