PWHL Vancouver sign Maschmeyer from Charge, Sceptres' Nurse
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PWHL Vancouver signed goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer and forwards Sarah Nurse and Jenn Gardiner on Thursday.
The 30-year-old goaltender Maschmeyer inked a two-year deal, while Nurse signed a one-year deal.
The Maschmeyer signing comes on the heels of the acquisitions of defenders Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson on Wednesday.
“Emerance is quite simply one of the best in the world at her position and Vancouver is fortunate to have a goaltender and Olympian of her calibre between the pipes to launch our inaugural season,” said general manager Cara Gardner Morey said in a statement. “Her veteran leadership, relentless compete, and poise under pressure are contagious qualities that our team will feed off of and will give us a chance to win every game.”
A native of Bruderheim, Alta., Maschmeyer spent the past two seasons with Ottawa. She appeared in 18 games for the Charge this past season, going 6-7-2 with .913 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.58. Maschmeyer did not play in the playoffs with rookie goaltender Gwyneth Philips preferred. The Charge lost the PWHL Finals in four games to the Minnesota Frost.
Internationally, the Harvard product has represented Canada on a number of occasions and has won three world championships and a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Nurse, Gardiner head west
Nurse recorded six goals and 14 points in 21 games with the Toronto Sceptres last season and added an assist in four playoff games before Toronto was knocked out in the first round by the Frost.
The 30-year-old forward registered 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games with Toronto during the 2024 campaign, leading them to the league's best record.
“Sarah is one of the sport’s biggest stars, both on and off the ice, and she will play a significant role in growing professional women’s hockey in Vancouver,” said Morey. “Her outstanding on-ice abilities will help establish our foundation at forward, and her unwavering commitment to building an inclusive hockey community makes her a fan favourite everywhere she goes.”
Nurse represents Canada on the international stage and helped her country win gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics and silver at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
She was also named the best forward at the 2022 tournament after setting a record for the most points (18) and assists (13) in a single tournament.
Nurse also represented Canada five times at the World Championship, winning gold in 2021, 2022, and 2024, silver in 2023, and bronze in 2019.
Gardiner was drafted 11th overall by the Montreal Victoire in 2024 and was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award.
The Surrey B.C., native returns to her home province with the move after recorded five goals and 18 points in 30 games last season, helping Montreal to the best record in the PWHL.
"Simply put, it's a dream come true [to come home]," Gardiner said in a statement. "Ever since I was a little girl on the Surrey Falcons and Greater Vancouver Comets, I have always wanted to play professional hockey for my hometown team. I am excited to help build a legacy that makes other girls in British Columbia dream big, and I am thrilled to play in front of my friends and family again."
After the Victoire lost defender Cayla Barnes to PWHL Seattle and Gardiner to Vancouver, the team was allowed to add defender Erin Ambrose to their protection list as the expansion process continues.