PWHL Vancouver made it official, signing Sarah Nurse during the exclusive signing window to a one-year deal. The signing was previously reported by The Hockey News. Nurse, a long time standout for Team Canada, spent her first two seasons in the PWHL with the Toronto Sceptres.
Vancouver knew the value Nurse brings on and off the ice calling her one of hockey's biggest stars.
“Sarah is one of the sport’s biggest stars, both on and off the ice, and she will play a significant role in growing professional women’s hockey in Vancouver,” said Cara Gardner Morey, PWHL Vancouver General Manager. “Her outstanding on-ice abilities will help establish our foundation at forward, and her unwavering commitment to building an inclusive hockey community makes her a fan favourite everywhere she goes.”
One of Toronto's three foundational signings, the 30-year-old tied for second in league scoring during the PWHL's inaugural season with 23 points in 24 games.
This season, Nurse could not replicate her totals missing nine games with injury to finish the year with 14 points in 21 games. Nurse has won gold medals with Canada at both the Olympic Games and World Championships and was voted an Olympic All-Star in 2022.
“I am so honoured to be joining PWHL Vancouver, finally bringing professional women’s hockey to the West Coast!” said Nurse. “I already got a taste of the passion last year during the Takeover Tour and can’t wait to experience that daily. The vision for this organization could not be more exciting and I am so humbled by Cara’s confidence in me as a player and as a person. The love and support I’ve felt already has meant so much to me, puck drop can’t come soon enough!”
Nurse joins a growing group of players to sign in Vancouver including Claire Thompson, Sophie Jaques, and Emerance Maschmeyer, all members of Canada's senior national team.