![Young hockey players in Estevan had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game this week, as two Professional Women’s Hockey League defenders joined the All Girls Hockey Camp at Affinity Place. Vancouver Goldeneyes captain Ashton Bell and PWHL Detroit defender Nina Jobst-Smith spent time on the ice with campers during the second week of the program, helping players work on their skills while also giving them a chance to meet professional hockey role models. For Bell, who grew up in the small Manitoba community of Deloraine, the opportunity to give back to young female athletes hits close to home. “We know how important it is to give back to female sports and for little girls to just aspire to be in the PWHL one day,” Bell said. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm1'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Building skills on the ice The focus during the camp was not simply on having two professional players available for autographs. Bell and Jobst-Smith were actively involved in practices, helping demonstrate drills and offering individual pointers to players. Jobst-Smith says skating was one of the biggest areas of emphasis because of how important it is to a player's overall development. “We've been working a lot on skating,” she said. “I think at this age it's a big point of emphasis. It's kind of the foundation for your whole game.” The players worked on skills including crossovers and quick starts, while Bell and Jobst-Smith also watched for smaller details they could help players improve. Both players have coaching experience and were able to use that background to offer another perspective to the young athletes. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm2'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); From small towns and different paths to the PWHL Bell's own hockey journey began in Deloraine, where she played minor hockey before moving on to higher levels of competition. She eventually attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she and Jobst-Smith were teammates. Bell later joined the PWHL's Ottawa Charge before moving to Vancouver. She was selected first overall by Vancouver in the league's 2025 expansion draft and was named the Goldeneyes' first captain. Jobst-Smith took a different route to the professional game. The North Vancouver product played with the Greater Vancouver Comets, spent a season playing professionally in Germany, and later attended the Okanagan Hockey Academy before joining Bell at Minnesota Duluth. She was selected by Vancouver in the third round, 19th overall, of the 2025 PWHL Draft. After playing her rookie season with the Goldeneyes, she signed a one-year contract with PWHL Detroit in June. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm3'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); The two defenders say the paths they took demonstrate that there is no single route to reaching the professional level. Giving young players someone to look up to For Jobst-Smith, one of the most important parts of the camp was simply being visible to the next generation. She says young players now have something she did not have growing up: professional women's hockey players they can watch on television. “I think it's just very cool that they now have somebody to watch on TV,” Jobst-Smith said. “We didn't have that growing up.” The PWHL has given young girls another level of opportunity to see where hockey can take them, while players like Bell and Jobst-Smith are helping make that pathway feel more attainable. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm4'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Bell says she and her fellow PWHL players are fortunate to benefit from the women who helped build the game before them. “For us it's about now we get to inspire that next generation and set them up well like the pioneers before us did,” Bell said. Growing more than just hockey The impact of the camp goes beyond skating drills and improving individual skills. Bell and Jobst-Smith spent time talking with campers about hockey, life and their own experiences before signing autographs and meeting with the young players. Jobst-Smith says the goal is to help girls pursue whatever they want, whether that ultimately involves hockey or something completely different. “I think it's just very cool that they now have somebody to watch on TV,” she said. “We just want to do our part to continue to grow the game.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm5'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); That visibility comes at a time when women's professional sports are continuing to expand, with Bell pointing to growth across hockey, soccer, basketball and other sports. For the campers in Estevan, however, that larger movement was made personal by having two professional players standing on the ice in front of them. A growing path for the next generation The challenge for women's hockey remains making sure that growth continues and that young players have opportunities to develop, compete and see themselves represented at the highest levels. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm6'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Bell and Jobst-Smith believe camps like this can play a small but important role by combining skill development with direct access to professional role models. Jobst-Smith says she hopes the PWHL can continue building toward the level of success already being seen in other women's professional leagues. “It's finally taking off,” she said. “Hoping we can bring the PWHL to that level, too, and hoping all the other women's sport leagues can do the same around the world.” For the young players at Affinity Place, that future is no longer something they can only imagine. They have now had the chance to learn from women who are living it. Related Stories: All Girls Hockey Camp caps another successful summer in Estevan All Girls Hockey Camp welcomes over 60 athletes as week one hits the ice in Estevan Peyton Birnie returns to Estevan All Girls Hockey Camp as instructor googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm7'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } });](https://dht7q8fif4gks.cloudfront.net/2026-08/IMG_7135.JPG)
www.discoverestevan.comPWHL defenders bring professional experience and inspiration to Estevan girls hockey campYoung hockey players in Estevan had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game this week, as two Professional Women’s Hockey League defenders joined the All Girls Hockey Camp at Affinity Place. Vancouver Goldeneyes captain Ashton Bell and PWHL Detroit defender Nina Jobst-Smith spent time on the ice with campers during the second week of the program, helping players work on their skills while also giving them a chance to meet professional hockey role models. For Bell, who grew up in the small Manitoba community of Deloraine, the opportunity to give back to young female athletes hits close to home. “We know how important it is to give back to female sports and for little girls to just aspire to be in the PWHL one day,” Bell said. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm1'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Building skills on the ice The focus during the camp was not simply on having two professional players available for autographs. Bell and Jobst-Smith were actively involved in practices, helping demonstrate drills and offering individual pointers to players. Jobst-Smith says skating was one of the biggest areas of emphasis because of how important it is to a player's overall development. “We've been working a lot on skating,” she said. “I think at this age it's a big point of emphasis. It's kind of the foundation for your whole game.” The players worked on skills including crossovers and quick starts, while Bell and Jobst-Smith also watched for smaller details they could help players improve. Both players have coaching experience and were able to use that background to offer another perspective to the young athletes. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm2'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); From small towns and different paths to the PWHL Bell's own hockey journey began in Deloraine, where she played minor hockey before moving on to higher levels of competition. She eventually attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she and Jobst-Smith were teammates. Bell later joined the PWHL's Ottawa Charge before moving to Vancouver. She was selected first overall by Vancouver in the league's 2025 expansion draft and was named the Goldeneyes' first captain. Jobst-Smith took a different route to the professional game. The North Vancouver product played with the Greater Vancouver Comets, spent a season playing professionally in Germany, and later attended the Okanagan Hockey Academy before joining Bell at Minnesota Duluth. She was selected by Vancouver in the third round, 19th overall, of the 2025 PWHL Draft. After playing her rookie season with the Goldeneyes, she signed a one-year contract with PWHL Detroit in June. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm3'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); The two defenders say the paths they took demonstrate that there is no single route to reaching the professional level. Giving young players someone to look up to For Jobst-Smith, one of the most important parts of the camp was simply being visible to the next generation. She says young players now have something she did not have growing up: professional women's hockey players they can watch on television. “I think it's just very cool that they now have somebody to watch on TV,” Jobst-Smith said. “We didn't have that growing up.” The PWHL has given young girls another level of opportunity to see where hockey can take them, while players like Bell and Jobst-Smith are helping make that pathway feel more attainable. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm4'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Bell says she and her fellow PWHL players are fortunate to benefit from the women who helped build the game before them. “For us it's about now we get to inspire that next generation and set them up well like the pioneers before us did,” Bell said. Growing more than just hockey The impact of the camp goes beyond skating drills and improving individual skills. Bell and Jobst-Smith spent time talking with campers about hockey, life and their own experiences before signing autographs and meeting with the young players. Jobst-Smith says the goal is to help girls pursue whatever they want, whether that ultimately involves hockey or something completely different. “I think it's just very cool that they now have somebody to watch on TV,” she said. “We just want to do our part to continue to grow the game.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm5'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); That visibility comes at a time when women's professional sports are continuing to expand, with Bell pointing to growth across hockey, soccer, basketball and other sports. For the campers in Estevan, however, that larger movement was made personal by having two professional players standing on the ice in front of them. A growing path for the next generation The challenge for women's hockey remains making sure that growth continues and that young players have opportunities to develop, compete and see themselves represented at the highest levels. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm6'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Bell and Jobst-Smith believe camps like this can play a small but important role by combining skill development with direct access to professional role models. Jobst-Smith says she hopes the PWHL can continue building toward the level of success already being seen in other women's professional leagues. “It's finally taking off,” she said. “Hoping we can bring the PWHL to that level, too, and hoping all the other women's sport leagues can do the same around the world.” For the young players at Affinity Place, that future is no longer something they can only imagine. They have now had the chance to learn from women who are living it. Related Stories: All Girls Hockey Camp caps another successful summer in Estevan All Girls Hockey Camp welcomes over 60 athletes as week one hits the ice in Estevan Peyton Birnie returns to Estevan All Girls Hockey Camp as instructor googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/des-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1632167742396-bbm7'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1632167742396]) s.setTargeting('story_id', 'pwhl-defenders-bring-professional-experience-and-inspiration-to-estevan-girls-hockey-camp'); s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } });
