PWHL veterans Carpenter and Nurse secure long-term deals ahead of expansion draft
Alex Carpenter and Sarah Nurse have re-signed with their respective clubs, ensuring they remain protected from the upcoming PWHL expansion process as the league prepares for its next phase.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has moved into the critical first phase of its expansion distribution, with existing franchises required to secure their core rosters before new teams can begin recruiting. In a strategic move to protect their most experienced assets, the Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes have re-signed veteran forwards Alex Carpenter and Sarah Nurse respectively.
Carpenter, 32, agreed to a three-year contract with the Torrent, while Nurse, 31, signed a two-year deal with the Goldeneyes. Both players were previously on expiring contracts, having earned $90,000 and $85,000 respectively in the previous season. While the financial terms of the new agreements were not immediately disclosed, the re-signings effectively remove them from the pool of players available to expansion franchises.
The re-signings occurred as the league’s eight existing teams raced against a Wednesday deadline to protect three contracted players each. This administrative step is a prerequisite for the next stage of the expansion process, which opens on Friday. Once this phase begins, the four new expansion teams—Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Hamilton, Ontario—will be authorised to sign foundational players.
Carpenter’s retention is seen as a significant boost for Seattle, which relied heavily on her offensive production during their inaugural season. The three-time U.S. Olympian led the team with 12 goals and 20 points, matching Julia Gosling for the team lead. She also dominated in the faceoff circle, recording 440 wins, the highest total in the league.
Nurse’s extension provides stability for Vancouver, where she scored the club’s first-ever goal in their debut season. Despite missing 11 games due to injury, the 31-year-old Canadian Olympian finished tied for the team lead with nine goals. Her experience, gained from two previous seasons in Toronto, adds depth to the Goldeneyes’ roster as they prepare for the challenges of the expanded league.
