PWHL Ottawa signs Alexa Vasko to one-year contract

The team in Canada’s capital has taken another player from the Six.

On Tuesday, PWHL Ottawa announced they have signed forward Alexa Vasko to a one-year contract.

Vasko played the inaugural season with Ottawa’s provincial rival, Toronto, the team that selected the St. Catharines, Ontario native in the 14th round, 83rd overall, of the first-ever PWHL Draft. She proved to be a solid checking line center. Vasko played the entire 24-game regular season, scoring two goals this season, both against New York. She registered a faceoff percentage of 52.5 on 162 faceoffs, the fourth-most on Toronto.

“We are adding a young player who is really strong in the face-off circle,” general manager Mike Hirshfeld said in a release. “Alexa blocks shots, she is a quick skater, and she is a responsible defensive player who shines when her team is shorthanded.”

It was Vasko’s second season of playing pro hockey as she spent the 2022-23 campaign with Team Sonnet in the PWHPA Dream Gap Tour. That came after five years at Mercyhurst University, where Vasko was captain for the final three years of her collegiate career.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to be a part of PWHL Ottawa,” Vasko said. “I’m looking forward to working with such a great organization along with some of the best fans in the league. I can’t wait to get started.”

The 25-year-old has some experience on the international stage. She represented Team Canada as an alternate captain at the 2017 IIHF Women’s Under-18 World Championship, where the team won silver.

With the addition of Vasko, Ottawa has 15 players signed for the 2024-25 season. That list includes returners like captain Brianne Jenner and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer.

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