Ahead of the first-ever game in the Vancouver Goldeneyes’ history, the team announced their inaugural leadership group. Announced to be leading the team is defender Ashton Bell, who was selected with the very first pick of the expansion draft in June. The 25-year-old was previously a member of the Ottawa Charge before being selected by Vancouver.

When the Goldeneyes posted on X, hinting that they would be announcing the captain imminently, many were predicting that it would be Sarah Nurse, for good reason. She is arguably the face of Women’s Hockey alongside Marie-Philip Poulin, Natalie Spooner, Hillary Knight and more. She is a star of the league and one of the most iconic people in the entire sport, even being the first woman to be featured on the cover of an NHL game. With all of that said, making Bell the captain was the right move.

Who is Ashton Bell?

Ashton Bell is a 25-year-old defender from Deloraine, Manitoba, who, in addition to being a runner-up to the Walter Cup last season, is also a Gold Medal winner with Canada and a three-time world champion. Goldeneyes General Manager Cara Gardner Morey spoke on Bell’s qualities that make her a perfect captain.

“Ashton will be the first captain in team history, and I can’t think of a better person to fill this role. She was our first selection in the expansion draft, and her leadership abilities were a big reason for this. She is a professional, one that leads by example while taking care of her teammates,” – General Manager Cara Gardner Morey

Bell signed a two-year extension shortly after the expansion draft, keeping her in Vancouver through the 2027–28 PWHL season. She made the 2024 PWHL All-Rookie Team in the league’s inaugural season and is a presence on the blue line.

Goldeneyes philosophy

When Morey drafted this team, a distinct philosophy was in place. Build from the blue line up. Morey, who was a defender herself, wanted this to be a team that opponents feared, and they did just that. First, they took Ashton Bell. Then they selected Sydney Bard, and later brought in Sophie Jacques and Claire Thompson, whom Morey had also previously coached.

This has been one of the biggest talking points for Vancouver since the expansion draft and was on full display last Friday. Following the first period, the Goldeneyes allowed minimal high-danger scoring chances and produced the comeback win.

In conclusion, there truly was no better pick to lead Vancouver out onto the ice every game than Ashton Bell. She embodies exactly what you want in a leader, and she fits the Goldeneyes system perfectly. Then, the last and most important aspect, she is a winner; she knows what it takes. She has won multiple times on the international stage, and she was so close to winning the Walter Cup.