The Vancouver Goldeneyes: How a New Hockey Franchise Took Flight in British Columbia

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Professional Women's Hockey League expanded to the West Coast in 2025, introducing the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Named after a diving duck native to the region, the team quickly captured local attention. Despite a challenging debut season on the ice, the franchise set attendance records and secured a promising future.

The Vancouver Goldeneyes emerged as part of the Professional Women's Hockey League's first expansion phase, which also included the Seattle Torrent. The league officially confirmed the Vancouver location on April 23, 2025, following significant public interest. This enthusiasm was fueled by a January 8, 2025, exhibition game at Rogers Arena that attracted 19,038 spectators. The team established its home base at the Pacific Coliseum, a venue with a storied history in professional hockey.

Leadership for the new club took shape throughout 2025. Cara Gardner Morey was named general manager in May, followed by head coach Brian Idalski in June. By November, the team solidified its on-ice leadership, appointing Ashton Bell as captain, with Sarah Nurse and Claire Thompson serving as alternate captains. The team's identity evolved throughout the year; while they initially operated under the placeholder name PWHL Vancouver, the official Goldeneyes branding—inspired by the common goldeneye duck—was unveiled on November 6, 2025.

The team's inaugural season saw a mix of historic milestones and competitive hurdles. They achieved a notable victory in their first home game, defeating the Seattle Torrent 4-3 with Sarah Nurse netting the franchise's first goal and Abby Boreen securing the overtime win. While the team struggled with road performance and finished sixth overall, they led the league in attendance, averaging over 11,200 fans per game. Their late-season momentum allowed them to secure the first overall pick in the 2026 Entry Draft, which they used to select Caroline Harvey.

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