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CBC
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
World champion Canadian defender Nicole Gosling poised to be picked early in PWHL Draft
A little more than a year ago, Nicole Gosling was celebrating on the ice in Utica, N.Y., with the rest of Team Canada. The Canadians had just defeated the Americans on home ice in overtime to win the world championship, and it was the defender from London, Ont.'s first title with the senior national team. Now, the 23-year-old is poised for what could be the biggest season of her life. She's projected to be taken high in the 2025 PWHL Draft, which is set for Tuesday in Ottawa, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. She's also one of the defenders fighting for a spot on the blue line for Canada at next year's Olympics. That has been a lifelong dream. "Obviously now there are other goals like playing in the PWHL, winning a Walter Cup, all that," Gosling said in an interview with CBC Sports. "But hopefully one day I could play in an Olympics. That's the ultimate goal, and then hopefully win gold, too. That will always be at the top of my list." She projects as an offensive, intelligent defender for whichever team selects her in the PWHL Draft. The New York Sirens have the first pick, followed by the Boston Fleet, Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Ottawa Charge, Minnesota Frost, PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle. Gosling is about as pro ready as they come, and projects to slot into a team's top two or four right away. She could play the same role on Team Canada for years to come, as the team ushers in a new wave of talent. "She's just someone that can really take control of a game with the way that she plays," said Clarkson University head coach Matt Desrosiers, who has coached Gosling for the last five seasons. A hockey family Gosling comes from a big family in London where just about everyone plays hockey. Gosling's father, Peter, played, and it was natural for Gosling and her sister to follow suit. Her cousin, Julia Gosling, just finished her rookie season with the Toronto Sceptres and will play next season with Seattle. Julia's father, Paul, is Gosling's father's twin brother. "Playing with her has been great," Nicole Gosling said. "We've had a lot of success together. We train together in the summer and everything, so there's a lot of familiarity there." Another cousin, Katelyn Gosling, played in the now-defunct Canadian Women's Hockey League. Yet another cousin, Cassidy Gosling, competed at Western University. Another distant cousin is famous for another reason. That would be actor Ryan Gosling, who is Gosling's father's cousin's son. "I can't say I've ever met him," Gosling said. Elite vision A lot stood out about Gosling's game for Desrosiers, who'd been following Gosling's career in London long before he talked to her about coming to the upstate New York college. The first thing he noticed was how smart she is. "She's just able to kind of see plays before it happens," Desrosiers said. "She's always had that ability." Desrosiers focuses on producing defenders who are 200-foot, multi-dimensional players. As a result, the school has churned out some of the best defenders in the PWHL, including Montreal's Erin Ambrose, Toronto's Renata Fast and New York's Ella Shelton. The coach sees elements of all of those players in Gosling. Like Ambrose, for example, Gosling can slow the game down and speed it up when she needs to do so. She can also be relied on by coaches who are looking for feedback on how she saw a particular play, almost like a second coach on the ice. "It was a lot of fun coaching her and kind of even learning from her," Desrosiers said. Marie-Philip Poulin named IIHF female player of the year, beating out 5 Americans Some of those defenders have also become mentors to Gosling. Fast has been a roommate at several Hockey Canada camps and Rivalry Series games, and Gosling said the older defender took her under her wing. It's the same story with Shelton and Ambrose. They've helped Gosling feel at ease in a Canadian jersey, whether it's giving her advice in the locker room or helping things feel light and less stressful. Even just watching how the veteran players approach the game has taught Gosling to focus on owning what she's good at rather than dwelling on what she's not accomplished. It's a lesson she plans to take with her to pro hockey. "Next year, no matter where I'm playing or how I may be contributing to the team, I think it's just being able to stay true to what I'm good at," she said. Gosling could find herself on the same team as at least one of those mentors next season. Ambrose's Montreal picks fourth in the draft and could use another top defender, after losing Anna Wilgren and Cayla Barnes to Seattle via expansion. Or maybe Gosling could find herself in Toronto, which picks third. That would give the Sceptres three strong former Clarkson defenders in the top four, should Gosling join Fast and Savannah Harmon. No matter where she ends up, she plans to bring a calm, composed style of play. Expect offence, too. Gosling finished her career at Clarkson as the school's all-time leader in points by a defender. "I understand both sides of the puck of being defensive, but also liking to contribute offensively," Gosling said. "I bring both aspects in that type of sense. I think I can just be relied on in kind of any situation." Teammates experience draft process together Gosling will have one two of her best friends with her at the draft next week: forward Anne Cherkowski and defender Haley Winn, who are both likely to hear their names called early on draft night. Winn has been Gosling's defence partner at Clarkson for most of her college career. Both set a competitive example inside the Golden Knights' locker room. Gosling never shied away from physicality in practice, setting a tone that would prepare the whole team for whatever came at them in a game. Winn, meanwhile, set an example with the hours she put in. The school has a machine that passes pucks to players so they can practice shooting. Winn shot 35,000 pucks on that machine in her first college season. Gosling said a PWHL team will be getting a special player in Winn. "The people who get to spend every day with her, they're going to learn lots," she said. "Her work ethic is unmatched. She's always at the rink, doing extra, taking care of her body." Like Gosling, Winn is pushing for a spot on the Olympic team next year, but for the red, white and blue. She is already a two-time world champion with Team USA. She also led Clarkson in scoring this past season, racking up 46 points in 38 games. Cherkowski, like Gosling and Winn, is another 200-foot player who can do a bit of everything. She can play up and down a lineup, contributing offence but also taking care of the defensive zone. That ability to be versatile is in high demand in the PWHL. "Anyone that will pick her up is honestly going to get a reliable forward, and I think that's what you need in this league is someone that you can rely on in any situation," Gosling said about her teammate. All three have leaned on each other throughout the draft process. Since their college season ended in the spring, it's been a mix of emotions, of new beginnings and endings. Gosling feels some nerves not knowing where she'll end up. But she also feels excitement to go to a new team and to have her draft moment, just like the players she watched on TV at the NHL Draft as a kid.
CBC
10-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Ashton Bell, Julia Gosling among young stars selected in PWHL expansion draft
The original six PWHL teams gathered in Minnesota almost exactly one year ago last June for the league's second entry draft. The players chosen in the first round last year included top-pair defenders, power forwards, playmakers and goal scorers — all poised to be future stars in the PWHL. After the league's expansion process, all but one of those six players will be playing for the PWHL's newest teams in Vancouver and Seattle. Only superstar Sarah Fillier, who was protected by the New York Sirens, won't be on the move to the west coast. It's a snapshot of just how much young talent the league's two newest teams were able to accumulate during a roster-building process that included an expansion draft and exclusive signing window. The original six teams could only protect three players each to start. They were able to protect a fourth once the team gave up two players. The result is two brand new teams that could both seriously contend for the Walter Cup next season. The goal was to make sure Seattle and Vancouver would be competitive to maintain the league's parity, but both new teams surpassed the bar of keeping up with the existing teams. They already look to be among the deepest in the league. Meanwhile, the original six teams have gaping holes to fill, having just watched a significant amount of talent walk out the door. From the net out Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who was a defender in her own playing career, has built her team's foundation from the net out, starting with long-time Team Canada backup goaltender, Emerance Maschmeyer. She also signed two of Walter Cup-champion Minnesota's best young defenders, Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson, and used the first pick in the expansion draft on Monday to select Ashton Bell, a smooth-skating defender who blocked more shots than anyone else in the Ottawa Charge's run to the PWHL finals. All three are in contention for the Canadian Olympic team next February. Bell, a former forward, can contribute both offensively and defensively, but what she brings off the ice also appealed to Gardner Morey. "She's also one of those great teammates and great human beings who's just always showing gratitude and doing things the right way," the Vancouver GM said after Monday's expansion draft. "Her work ethic is outstanding." Up front, Vancouver will be led by superstar Sarah Nurse, a do-it-all type of player who has shown, when healthy, that she can score in this league. She tied for second in the league in both goals and points in the 2024 season. She's joined by a group of young, talented forwards, including Rookie of the Year candidate Jennifer Gardiner, Walter Cup champions Abby Boreen and Brooke McQuigge, and Izzy Daniel, who was the Patty Kazmaier Award winner as the best player in college hockey just one season ago. With the priority on building from the back first, Gardner Morey opted for 200-foot, depth players who exceeded expectations last season up front. "We just really went with a lot of grit, a lot of two-way forwards that can also score goals," Gardner Morey said. A stacked forward group Seattle, meanwhile, has a top-six forward group that could be the best in the league. Former New York Sirens sniper Alex Carpenter could centre the top line alongside MVP-nominee Hilary Knight and former Boston Fleet forward Hannah Bilka, a rookie with a high hockey IQ. Between Bilka's playmaking abilities and Carpenter and Knight's knack for shooting the puck, it's a line that promises to be dangerous. But then Seattle can roll out a second line that includes Jessie Eldridge, Danielle Serdachny and Julia Gosling, three players who have offensive ability and size. Seattle GM Meghan Turner, who wanted to build a team to withstand physicality, described that potential second line as a "powerhouse." "They have a lot of power in terms of their skating and their explosiveness," Turner said about those three players. "Each team is so physical and so I think size really can only help. All of these players have proven they can use their size to their advantage." Turner used her first pick in the expansion draft to select Aneta Tejralová, the Czech Republic national team captain who loves blocking shots. Her ability on the penalty kill, including her willingness to put her body in front of pucks, was a factor for Seattle. "Knowing that's something that is a specialty of hers, and just the way that she plays defence but also can transport the puck and be a good puck supporter, she's rock solid," Turner said. The Seattle roster is rounded out by Corinne Schroeder, one of the best goaltenders in the league over the past two seasons for the defensively-shaky New York Sirens. Original 6 teams left with holes As players pack their bags to head west and Seattle and Vancouver continue building, the original six teams will be looking to fill some of the holes left by expansion. The league spent months designing the rules with the goal of maintaining parity in a league where games are often decided by just one goal. "I think it was really critical that we got it right because decisions like this do shape the future of the league," PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations, Jayna Hefford, said last month. "For us, the priority is always about competitive balance." WATCH | PWHL Mic'd Up with Cayla Barnes: PWHL Mic'd Up: Montreal Victoire's Cayla Barnes 3 months ago Duration 5:31 Listen in to the best on-ice moments from American defender Cayla Barnes as the visiting Montreal Victoire lose to the Ottawa Charge 3-1. But the original six teams have work to do to compete with the league's newest franchise, at least on paper. Both teams that faced off for the Walter Cup last month lost two of their top four defenders, as did first-place Montreal. Last-place New York surrendered two of the team's top scoring forwards from last season, along with the starting goaltender. The Boston Fleet have significant holes up front without Knight and Bilka, and will need to name a new captain. Their GMs will have a chance to start rebuilding on June 16, when a window opens to sign free agents. The entry draft is set for June 24 in Ottawa, though the draft order isn't yet clear, aside from New York selecting first.
Reuters
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
F Alex Carpenter signs with expansion Seattle
June 6 - PWHL Seattle signed forward Alex Carpenter to a one-year contract on Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Carpenter, a silver medalist with the United States Olympic team in both 2014 and 2022. Carpenter, 31, recorded 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) -- including 18 (five goals, 13 assists) on the power play -- in 50 games while playing the last two seasons with the New York Sirens. "Alex is a true competitor who brings intensity every time she steps on the ice," Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said. "She's an elite two-way player who has proven to be one of the best in the world for years, and she has the ability to take over a game at both ends of the ice. She's hungry to win and brings the kind of drive that sets the tone for a team. We're excited to have her join us as we build the foundation of our team." Carpenter is the fourth player to sign with PWHL Seattle ahead of its inaugural season, joining forwards Hilary Knight and Danielle Serdachny and defender Cayla Barnes. "I am very excited for the opportunity to be a part of PWHL Seattle in its inaugural season," Carpenter said. "Joining Seattle, a city known for its passionate sports fans, is something I'm truly looking forward to. I'm eager to build something special and bring a championship to Seattle." The Seattle franchise will play at Climate Pledge Arena, the home of the NHL's Kraken. --Field Level Media
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Sirens surprisingly don't protect Alex Carpenter as PWHL expansion draft nears
The New York Sirens gave their fan base a shock on Tuesday. The PWHL announced the 18 players — three from each of the inaugural six teams — protected from selection in the exclusive signing window and in the expansion draft being staged for the new Seattle and Vancouver teams entering the league in the 2025-26 season. The Sirens selected forward Sarah Fillier, defenseman Ella Shelton, and defenseman Micah Zandee-Hart, which shockingly leaves Alex Carpenter unprotected. The Massachusetts native had 23 points last season, 13th most in the league. She also ranked third on the Sirens in goals scored (11) behind teammates Jessie Eldridge (9) and rookie Fillier (13). Carpenter, 31, has been a stalwart for the Sirens for the past two seasons. The forward has an 18.6 shooting percentage, which is more than double from the previous season. In 2024, she was also named to the IIHF Women's World Championship All-Star Team, and was recognized as the best forward, leading the tournament in goals (6) and points (10). Carpenter also earned a silver medal at both the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics with Team USA. The Sirens still could make a move for Carpenter. After an inaugural team has lost two players through either the exclusive signing window or the expansion draft, the team is able to protect one additional player. Sirens alternate captain Alex Carpenter was surprisingly left unprotected by the team as the expansion draft nears. Steven Garcia/CSM/Shutterstock The fourth protected player must either be under contract for the 2025-26 season or the team must hold their playing rights through the 2025-26 season. Carpenter just completed the second year of a three-year contract. Other players that would be eligible for the Sirens to protect are Eldridge (F), Lauren Bernard (D), Jaime Bourbonnais (D), Emmy Fecteau (F), Elle Hartje (F), Paetyn Levis (F), Maja Nylén Persson (D), Kayle Osborne (G), Abby Roque (F), Gabby Rosenthal (F), Corinne Schroeder (G), Allyson Simpson (D), and Noora Tulus (F). Alex Carpenter skates before a Sirens game against the Ottawa Charge early in the season. Noah K. Murray / New York Post The exclusive signing window begins June 4 and runs through June 8. The expansion draft will take place on June 9.
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
PWHL schedules expansion draft for June 9
May 19 - The Professional Women's Hockey League will hold an expansion draft for the Seattle and Vancouver franchises on June 9. The PWHL also announced the rules and procedures Monday that will guide the roster-building process for the league's seventh and eighth members ahead of the 2025-26 season. The original six clubs -- Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres -- each have a June 3 deadline to protect three players from the exclusive signing window that will run from June 4-8. Players eligible for protection must either be under contract through the 2025-26 season, or the team must hold their playing rights through 2025-26 (drafted in 2024). After a team has lost two players through either the signing period or the draft, it is allowed to protect a fourth player. Seattle and Vancouver can each sign a maximum of five players during the exclusive window. At the June 9 draft, Seattle and Vancouver will select a minimum of seven players each until they fill a 12-player roster. The order for the draft will be determined later, as will coverage details. The 2025 PWHL Draft is scheduled for June 24 in Ottawa, Ontario. New York has the No. 1 overall pick. --Field Level Media
