(Photo credit: Daniel DeLoach/Utica Observer-Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK)
PWHL Vancouver announced a two-year contract extension for defender Ashton Bell on Thursday.
Selected first overall in June's expansion draft, Bell is now under contract through the 2027-28 campaign.
The 25-year-old Canadian had three goals and three assists in 27 games last season with the Ottawa Charge. She made the 2024 PWHL All-Rookie Team during the league's inaugural campaign after posting two goals and five assists in 24 games.
'We are excited to form a long-term commitment with Ashton and have her help lead our defense core in Vancouver through our first three seasons,' Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'Ashton will play a significant part in building the foundation of our defense. She is going to be a leader both on the ice and in the locker room, and we are delighted to have her with us through 2027-28.'
Bell is a three-time IIHF Women's World Championship gold medalist (2021, 2022 and 2024) and helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
--Field Level Media
