The future is now for the league and some of their young players. That includes a pair of promising young defenders who this week became the first PWHL players in league history to sign through the 2027-28 season.
Sophie Jaques was the first when she inked a three year deal with PWHL Vancouver on the opening day of the league's exclusive expansion signing period. Jaques had one-year remaining on the three-year contract she initially signed with PWHL Boston in 2023. She was in the second year of that three-year deal playing for the Minnesota Frost this season.
Jaques, 24, won two Walter Cups with Minnesota and is a finalist for the PWHL's Defender of the Year this season while tying for the league lead in scoring by a defender.
Her three-year contract begins in the 2025-26 season.
On the second day of PWHL expansion signings, Cayla Barnes inked a three-year deal with PWHL Seattle to join Jaques in a unique position as a PWHL veteran locked in long term.
Barnes recently completed the first year of a three-year contract she signed following the 2024 PWHL Draft with the Montreal Victoire. Barnes was the top scoring rookie defender in the PWHL this season and fifth overall among defenders.
Barnes added an extra season of term to her new deal with PWHL Seattle.
With the length of their contracts, it's highly probable both Barnes and Jaques will both go through another expansion process with the league that could see them again change teams with an opportunity to renegotiate contracts before their current deals are up.
Barnes and Jaques will likely be joined by a handful of rookies who could ink three year deals with their new teams following the 2025 PWHL Draft. Last year 11 PWHL Draft picks signed three-year contracts.