PWHL Vancouver signs Emerance Maschmeyer

PWHL Vancouver made another major move on the first day of the expansion teams' exclusive signing window, inking goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer to a two-year contract.

Maschmeyer, 30, spent the past two seasons with the Ottawa Charge, where she was a consistent and poised presence in the crease. She led all PWHL goaltenders with 23 appearances and 548 saves during the 2023–24 season, posting a .915 save percentage and 2.30 goals-against average with two shutouts. In 2024–25, she played 18 of Ottawa’s first 22 games before suffering a season-ending injury, finishing with a .913 SV% and 2.58 GAA. On March 11, she became the first goaltender in PWHL history to surpass 1,000 career regular-season saves.

Vancouver General Manager Cara Gardner Morey praised the signing:

“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. 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.”

Maschmeyer, a native of Bruderheim, Alberta, brings with her a deep resume: an Olympic gold medal in 2022, eight World Championship medals with Team Canada, and six professional seasons prior to the PWHL with the CWHL and PWHPA. She also starred at Harvard University during her collegiate career.

Originally one of Ottawa’s three foundational signings in 2023, Maschmeyer was left unprotected ahead of the 2025 expansion draft as the Charge opted to protect rising star Gwyneth Philips, defender Ronja Savolainen and forward Emily Clark.

“Joining Vancouver is an incredible opportunity, and I’m thrilled to be a part of such an exciting chapter of the league’s expansion,” said Maschmeyer. “Vancouver has proven to be a vibrant hockey city and I’m thrilled to play in front of such passionate fans. I’m aligned with Cara’s vision and values and honoured to have the opportunity to help build this organization’s culture from the ground up.”

Maschmeyer joins defenders Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson in Vancouver, both former teammates from Minnesota.

The exclusive signing window for PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle continues until 5 p.m. EST on June 8. Each team can sign up to five players during that time.