PWHL Vancouver signs Jenn Gardiner to one-year contract
A British Columbia native is moving back home.
On Thursday, PWHL Vancouver announced the team has signed forward Jenn Gardiner to a one-year contract. She was made available to Vancouver during their exclusive signing period, during which they and Seattle have the first opportunity to sign players.
The Surrey native was taken 11th overall by the Montreal Victoire in the 2024 PWHL Draft, signing a two-year contract. She made an immediate impact with the club, especially playing on the top line with Laura Stacey and captain Marie-Philip Poulin. Gardiner scored five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 30 games, finishing second in freshman scoring behind New York Sirens star Sarah Fillier.
“Simply put, it’s a dream come true,” Gardiner said in a release. “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 former Ohio State Buckeye was named a finalist for the PWHL Rookie of the Year award.
Gardiner marks the fifth and final signing general manager Cara Gardner Morey is allowed to make during the signing period. She’ll have to wait until Monday night’s expansion draft to add any more players to her roster. Vancouver already has defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques, goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer and forward Sarah Nurse.
Safe to say that’s a pretty good core to start with.
As Gardiner was the second player signed away from the Victoire, as PWHL Seattle acquired Cayla Barnes on Thursday, Montreal gets to protect another player, per the PWHL’s expansion rules. The team has announced that 2024 Defender of the Year Erin Ambrose is now being protected.
Seattle has three players signed, with two spots available before the signing period ends on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
The first-ever PWHL Expansion Draft is on Monday, June 9.