PWHL Vancouver Signs Jenn Gardiner

PWHL Vancouver has successfully signed another player in the expansion signing window, as they announced the addition of Jenn Gardiner. The forward, who is moving over from the Montréal Victoire, agreed to a one-year contract with Vancouver on Thursday. 

Originally from Surrey, British Columbia, Gardiner, 23, played in all 30 regular season games for the Victoire this past season, generating five goals and 18 points in those contests. Three of her five goals came on the power play, a place she has succeeded even dating back to her time in the NCAA with Ohio State. With the Buckeyes, Gardiner was a monster, generating 171 total points over five seasons. As captain in 2023-24, she helped OSU to their second national championship in three years. 

This past season, due to her success with Montréal, Gardiner was named a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award, and made her senior national team debut with Canada at the World Championships in April. During her time at Worlds, Gardiner finished with 10 points including six goals in just seven games, the most out of anyone at the tournament. 

“[Gardiner] is a player with experience building chemistry alongside some of the top players in the league and has been on an upward trajectory throughout her career,” said PWHL Vancouver Cara Gardner Morey. “I can’t wait to see her thrive in front of her hometown fans.”

Gardiner was drafted 11th overall by Montréal in the 2024 entry draft, and was then exposed by the Victoire during this year’s expansion draft. The Victoire opted instead to protect forwards Marie-Philip Poulin, and Laura Stacey, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens. With the loss of Gardiner and defender Cayla Barnes (who signed with Seattle earlier Thursday), the Victoire can now protect a fourth player from the expansion draft. 

“Simply put, it's a dream come true,” Gardiner herself said about returning to Vancouver. “Ever since I was a little girl on the Surrey Falcons and Greater Vancouver Comets, I have wanted to play professional hockey for my hometown team. I am so 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.”

The signing is the fifth and final one for Vancouver in the expansion signing window that opened on Wednesday. The team had previously announced the additions of defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jacques, goaltender Emerence Maschmeyer, and forward Sarah Nurse. The full expansion draft is set to take place on Monday, June 9th at 8:30 PM EST.