Vancouver Selects Ashton Bell First Overall in PWHL Expansion Draft

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) completed its first-ever expansion draft, allowing the new Seattle and Vancouver teams to build their rosters by selecting players from existing franchises. Vancouver won the lottery to pick first and chose defender Ashton Bell from the Ottawa Charge, who had a solid performance in the previous season and playoffs. Seattle followed by selecting defender Aneta Tejralova and forward Hannah Bilka early in the draft, focusing on offensive forwards to complement their already signed players including Hilary Knight. Both teams had previously signed five players during an exclusive signing period prior to the draft, finalizing strong foundational rosters. The expansion draft featured seven rounds with 14 players selected, including two first-round picks from the 2024 entry draft, signaling strategic team-building efforts by both franchises. Each of the original six PWHL teams protected four players, making others available for selection by Seattle and Vancouver as they establish their teams.