PWHL Montreal signs Cayla Barnes to three-year contract
One of the top picks in this year’s PWHL Draft has inked her first pro contract.
On Friday, Montreal announced it has signed defender Cayla Barnes to a three-year contract, carrying to the end of the 2026-27 season.
Aussitôt repêchée, aussitôt signée! Cayla Barnes a paraphé une entente de trois saisons. Nous avons déjà hâte de la voir de la voir dans nos couleurs bientôt.
Drafted and signed! Cayla Barnes inked a three-year deal. We are very much looking forward to see our in our colours… pic.twitter.com/DuxWqOvqjF
Barnes was selected fifth overall by the team in the draft a few weeks ago, making her the second of eight Ohio State players taken in the event. Her teammate, Hannah Bilka, was selected fourth by Boston.
“We are extremely happy to have come to this agreement,” General Manager Danièle Sauvageau said in a release. “Cayla will solidify our team at the blue line, even more so with her style of play which fits perfectly with ours. Since drafting her we have realized even more what a great person she is, and that she will fit in nicely with our team.”
The Corona, California native entered the draft as arguably the top defense prospect available, and there are many reasons why. Barnes built up her stock through four years at Boston College, finishing off her college career with a national championship with the Buckeyes, and making a name for herself on the U.S. National Team.
“I am so excited and honored to be joining Montréal for three years,” Barnes said. “I am looking forward to playing in front of such incredible fans and exploring the city of Montréal. This organization is a place I know I am going to continue to grow as both a player and a person, and I can’t wait to get started!”
Barnes is excellent at both ends of the rink. She is a creative, offensive mind capable of being an asset on the power play. Her play in her own end is what made her an All-American and named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team this past spring. With OSU, Barnes posted an insane plus/minus of +71, leading all skaters.
The 25-year-old has already played in two Olympics, being a part of the American team that won gold in Pyeongchang in 2018, before taking home silver from Beijing two years ago. Barnes has also won three gold medals at the IIHF Women’s Under-18 World Championships, and two at the Women’s Worlds.
Barnes is the first player taken in this past year’s draft to be signed to a contract. Montreal now has 14 players signed to standard player agreements for next season, and nine through the end of the 2025-26 campaign.