Nicole Gosling was the first round pick, fourth overall of the PWHL's Montreal Victoire this week. The defender, who is a former NCAA Defender of the Year and First Team All-American, and who owns a World Championship gold medal as a member of Team Canada will be counted on to step in and make an immediate impact in Montreal.
Montreal's blueline took a significant hit this offseason losing Cayla Barnes, Anna Wilgren, and Mariah Keopple, and Gosling wants to step in and fill some of that void immediately.
"I'm definitely a calm, composed type of defenseman, but I think I believe in my abilities to understand both sides of the puck, being able to play a little bit of offense," said Gosling. "I think it's fun, obviously being a defenseman. You like to not only stop it, but, like be a part of it as well. But I understand the defensive side very well, so I'm just hoping to be able to have an impact right away."
Montreal also went out and signed free agent's Jessica DiGirolamo and Maggie Flaherty to restructure their blueline. They also drafted Hockey East Defender of the Year Tamara Giaquinto from Boston University with their sixth round pick.
Coming from Clarkson, Gosling is excited to join former Canadian teammate and Clarkson alumni Erin Ambrose on the blueline. Gosling may even find herself paired with the veteran to start.
"She's been texting me quite a little bit, too, before, and being like, 'I hope they pick you like. I'm trying to put in a good word and everything,'" Gosling said of Ambrose. "I'm super excited that she's happy that I'm going to be there, and I'm just happy to learn from her as well. She's definitely has a lot of experience, both professionally and like internationally. So just honestly learn from her. I'm just super excited for that, too."
Ambrose was the PWHL's inaugural Defender of the Year, and has been a key member of the Victoire since day one. Alongside Gosling, Ambrose, DiGirolamo, Flaherty, and Giaquinto, Montreal was also able to re-sign standout Kati Tabin to round out their blueline.
Gosling is also the cousin of PWHL Seattle forward Julia Gosling, who was the sixth overall pick of the Toronto Sceptres at the 2024 PWHL Draft.
