A New Rivalry Begins with the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent

The off-season has been nothing short of exciting, from expansion to pre-season. One thing is for sure: this season is going to be one to watch. 

Vancouver Goldeneyes

Vancouver was announced as the first-ever expansion team. And it didn’t take them long to strike on the back-to-back champs. When their exclusive signing window opened, they secured Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques, building from the blue line. In the window, they also signed hometown girl Jennifer Gardiner, along with Emerance Maschmeyer and Sarah Nurse. 

In the expansion draft, Vancouver continued to build their blue line, taking Ashton Bell (Ottawa Charge). They then shifted focus to their offence, taking Brooke McQuigge (Minnesota Frost) and Abby Boreen (Montreal Victoire) back-to-back. Continuing with that focus, they then selected Izzy Daniel (Toronto Sceptres) and Gabby Rosenthal (New York Sirens). Then, rounding out the draft, they selected Denisa Křížová (Minnesota Frost) and Sydney Bard (Boston Fleet). 

Yesterday, the Goldeneyes and Frost announced a trade with Denisa Křížová for Anna Segedi (3rd round pick); returning Křížová to the Frost and giving the Goldeneyes upcoming talent. 

When free agency opened up, Vancouver looked to add to their depth, signing hometown girl Hannah Miller to a three-year deal. They also added Michela Cava, Tereza Vanišová, and Emma Greco to two-year deals and Mellissa Channell-Watkins to a one-year deal. 

At the draft, Vancouver selected Michelle Karvinen from the SDHL in the first round, adding experience to their roster. In the second round, they traded their pick to Toronto to get goaltender Kristen Campbell. Using Toronto’s third-round pick, they selected defender Nina Jobst-Smith from the University of Minnesota Duluth. 

Seattle Torrent  

Seattle was announced as the second expansion team, showing the PWHL’s commitment to the West Coast. Fans were shocked when the Boston Fleet didn’t protect Captain Hilary Knight, who had been a cornerstone of their team from day one. However, with the Olympics coming up, a move to the West Coast makes sense as training and promos have been taking place in Utah. The Seattle fans were thrilled when it was officially announced that Hilary Knight was their first player. Seattle doubled down, bringing in Hilary Knights USA line partner Alex Carpenter. 

In the expansion draft, Seattle chose to build their blue line, selecting Aneta Tejralová (Ottawa Charge) with their first pick. They then picked up Hilary Knight's line partner from the Boston Fleet, Hannah Bilka, completing one of the most powerful offensive lines in the league. Seattle then continued building out their offence, selecting Jesse Eldridge (New York Sirens) and Julia Gosling (Toronto Sceptres) back-to-back. With their last three picks, Seattle chose to focus on their defence, picking up Anna Wilgren (Montreal Victoire), Megan Carter (Toronto Sceptres), and Emily Brown (Boston Fleet). 

When free agency opened up, Seattle looked to add to their depth, signing Mariah Keopple, Natalie Snodgrass and Carly Jackson to one-year deals and Lexie Adzija and Mikyla Grant-Mentis to two-year deals. 

At the draft, Seattle selected forward Jenna Buglioni from Ohio State in the first round. In the second round, they built their back-end drafting goaltender Hannah Murphy from Colgate University. 

Seattle Torrent at Vancouver Goldeneyes Pre-Season

The Vancouver Goldeneyes struck first against the Seattle Torrent, getting the first expansion team goal courtesy of Malia Schneider (training camp invite), assisted by Claire Thompson at the end of the first period. The Goldeneyes doubled their lead in the second with a goal, Michela Cava assisted by Ashton Bell and Michelle Karvinen. 

In the third, the Goldeneyes locked up one final goal from Michelle Karvinen, assisted by Sarah Nurse, to get their first win as a team, 3-0. Erica Fryer (training camp invite) and Emerance Maschmeyer combined for the shutout in net for the Goldeneyes. 

Both teams' rosters moved around for Game 2, seeing big players like Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter out for the Seattle Torrent. 

Mikyla Grant-Mentis was able to get the Torrent on the board early with assists from Lily Yovetich (training camp invite) and Mariah Keopple. Just 20 seconds later, Julia Buglioni would double the Torrent’s lead off an assist from Anna Wilgren. In the second period, the Goldeneyes got on the board with a penalty shot from Madison Samoskevich. Olivia Wallin (unsigned draft pick) extended the Torrent’s lead off an assist from Marah Wagner (training camp invite). 

In the third, the Torrent continued their scoring dominance with a goal from Marah Wagner (training camp invite) off an assist from Brooke Bryant (training camp invite). But it would be the Goldeneyes who struck last with a goal from Malia Schneider (training camp invite) assisted by Hannah Miller and Taylor Lind (training camp invite). 

In the win, Carly Jackson recorded 17 saves on 18 shots, while Hannah Murphy saved 7 of the 8 shots against. On the other side, Kimberly Newell recorded 3 saves on 4 shots, while Kristen Campbell recorded 19 saves on 22 shots. 

They split the pre-season, but tomorrow night marks the first chapter of the league's newest rivalry.