Vancouver Goldeneyes

Franchise establishment and inaugural season

The Vancouver franchise was officially announced by the PWHL on April 23, 2025, with plans to begin competition in the 2025-26 season. This announcement followed significant local interest, highlighted by a PWHL Takeover Tour exhibition game at Rogers Arena on January 8, 2025, which drew a record-breaking crowd of 19,038 spectators. The team confirmed the Pacific Coliseum, former home of the Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Giants, as its home arena. Key hockey operations personnel were appointed in the following months, with Cara Gardner Morey named the club's first general manager on May 23, 2025, and Brian Idalski hired as the first head coach on June 23, 2025. The team's on-ice leadership was established on November 21, 2025, with defender Ashton Bell named captain and forwards Sarah Nurse and Claire Thompson serving as alternate captains.

Entering their first season, the Goldeneyes were considered by some analysts to be potential contenders for the Walter Cup. The team's on-ice debut was a success, as they won their inaugural game 4-3 in overtime against the rival Seattle Torrent at the Pacific Coliseum on December 5, 2025. Sarah Nurse scored the first goal in franchise history, while Abby Boreen netted the overtime winner. Despite this strong start and leading the PWHL in regular season attendance with an average of over 11,200 fans per game, the team struggled with consistency, particularly on the road. Vancouver finished the 2025-26 season in sixth place with a record of 9 wins, 3 overtime wins, 4 overtime losses, and 14 regulation losses, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

Despite the disappointing finish, the season concluded on a positive note for the franchise's future. A late-season surge earned the team enough Draft Order Points to win the PWHL's Gold Plan, awarding Vancouver the first overall selection in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft. With that prized pick, the Goldeneyes selected star defender Caroline Harvey from the University of Wisconsin. Following the season, the organization underwent significant changes in leadership as head coach Brian Idalski was fired and general manager Cara Gardner Morey assumed the role of head coach, with former American Hockey League executive Alison Izzi hired as the new general manager in 2026 to oversee hockey operations.

Team identity and branding

Upon the expansion announcement, the team's colours were revealed as Pacific blue and cream. Following the league's established protocol for new franchises, the club initially operated under the temporary moniker 'PWHL Vancouver' while developing a permanent brand. The inaugural season jerseys, unveiled on October 21, 2025, and produced by Bauer, featured the city name 'Vancouver' diagonally across the chest, a design common to the league's original teams. The permanent team name and logo were revealed on November 6, 2025, with the new identity set to be fully integrated for the 2026-27 season.

The franchise was named the Vancouver Goldeneyes, after the common goldeneye, a diving duck endemic to North America and commonly found in the coastal waters and lakes of British Columbia. The branding emphasizes themes of clarity, vantage, and collective purpose. On February 19, 2026, the team unveiled its new primary jerseys for the upcoming season, which feature the Goldeneyes logo prominently for the first time. The sweaters retain the blue and burnt orange trim from the inaugural set and incorporate V-shaped side panels and 'winged stripes' on the sleeves, fully realizing the team's visual identity.

2025-26 season results and draft

The Vancouver Goldeneyes' inaugural 2025-26 season was a tale of strong fan support contrasted with on-ice struggles, particularly away from home. The team's final record placed them sixth in the league standings, just outside the playoff picture. Their performance highlighted a significant disparity between home and road results, a challenge the new management aims to address. The key outcomes from the season and the subsequent draft are summarized in the table below.

The team's consolation for missing the postseason was securing the first overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft through the Gold Plan. Vancouver used this selection to choose Caroline Harvey from the University of Wisconsin. Harvey is a Patty Kazmaier Award winner and Olympic MVP. The team also held the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft, using it to select Finnish forward Michelle Karvinen. Karvinen served as Finland's captain at the 2026 Winter Olympics and tied the record for most games played in Olympic women's hockey history.

Olympic participation and international players

The Vancouver Goldeneyes were well represented at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with numerous players competing for their respective national teams and achieving notable milestones. Five Goldeneyes players returned with silver medals as members of the Canadian national team, which fell 2-1 in overtime to the United States in the gold medal game. Alternate captain Claire Thompson cemented her legacy by becoming the all-time leading scorer among Olympic defenders, recording 17 career points. Sarah Nurse, playing in her third Olympics, contributed two assists to reach 20 career Olympic points, placing her among an elite group of Canadian players.

Several other Goldeneyes made significant impacts for their countries during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Canadian alternate captain Claire Thompson became the all-time leading scorer among Olympic defenders with 17 career points. Canadian Sarah Nurse became the 11th Canadian woman to record 20 career points at the Olympics. Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer earned two wins, including a shutout. German defender Nina Jobst-Smith scored the first goal of the entire tournament and a game winner for Germany.

• Jenn Gardiner (Canada): Made her Olympic debut and scored a game-winning goal against Finland on February 12, 2026.
• Sophie Jaques (Canada): Also debuted, recording three assists and a +5 rating for Team Canada.
• Emerance Maschmeyer (Canada): Goaltender who earned two wins, including a shutout, for Canada.
• Nina Jobst-Smith (Germany): Scored the first goal of the entire tournament and a game-winning overtime goal for Germany.
• Michelle Karvinen (Finland): Captained Finland in her fifth Olympic Games, tying the record for most games played in Olympic women's hockey history (29).
• Tereza Vanišová (Czechia): Remained her country's all-time Olympic points leader with seven across two Games.

The Vancouver Goldeneyes welcomed their Olympians back home and returned to PWHL action on Sunday, March 1, 2026. They played the Toronto Sceptres at the Pacific Coliseum at 1 p.m. PT. This game was the first of a five-game homestand stretching from March 1 to 21. Tickets for these games were available through the team's official website.

Management and coaching history

The Goldeneyes' front office and coaching staff have seen notable evolution since the franchise's inception. Cara Gardner Morey was appointed as the club's first general manager on May 23, 2025. Brian Idalski was named as the team's first head coach on June 23, 2025. After the 2025-26 season, Idalski was fired and Morey took over as head coach. Alison Izzi was then hired as the organization's new general manager in 2026.

• Cara Gardner Morey: Appointed as the inaugural general manager on May 23, 2025, and later became head coach in 2026.
• Brian Idalski: Named as the team's first head coach on June 23, 2025, and served through the 2025-26 season.
• Alison Izzi: Hired as the new general manager in 2026, taking over from Morey.
• Delaney Collins: Joined the team as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.
• Ashton Bell: Named the franchise's first captain on November 21, 2025.

This restructuring aimed to build a more competitive organization for the team's second campaign. The transition moved general manager Cara Gardner Morey to the head coaching role. The team hired Alison Izzi as the new general manager. Izzi was previously the vice president of hockey operations and governance for the American Hockey League. With a restructured roster and enhanced identity, the Goldeneyes hoped to challenge for a playoff spot.

Arena and fan engagement

The Vancouver Goldeneyes have established their home at the Pacific Coliseum, a historic venue in East Vancouver that previously hosted the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and the WHL's Vancouver Giants. The choice of arena connects the new team to the city's rich hockey history. From their first season, the Goldeneyes demonstrated a strong connection with the local community, leading the entire PWHL in regular season attendance with an average of over 11,200 fans per game. The team offers full season ticket packages for its 15 regular season home games and markets single-game tickets directly to the public. Merchandise featuring the team's new logo and colours, including apparel produced by Bauer, is available for fans, and the organization communicates with its supporter base through official newsletters and social media channels.

Questions about Vancouver Goldeneyes

Where do the Vancouver Goldeneyes play their home games?

The Vancouver Goldeneyes play their home games at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. This venue was announced as their home arena upon the team's founding in April 2025. The Pacific Coliseum is a historic building that previously served as the home for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and the WHL's Vancouver Giants. The team's home opener for the 2026-27 season is scheduled to take place at this arena in December 2026.

Who is the general manager of the Vancouver Goldeneyes?

The general manager of the Vancouver Goldeneyes as of 2026 is Alison Izzi. She was hired for this role following the 2025-26 season, succeeding the team's original general manager, Cara Gardner Morey. Izzi brought experience from her previous position as the vice president of hockey operations and governance for the American Hockey League. This front office change was part of a restructuring after the team's first season.

What is the meaning behind the team name 'Goldeneyes'?

The team name 'Goldeneyes' refers to the common goldeneye, a diving duck native to North America that inhabits the coastal waters and lakes of British Columbia. The name and logo, revealed on November 6, 2025, were chosen to symbolize clarity, sharp vision, and a collective force. The team's branding materials describe the identity as 'sharp eyed, fast winged, bearers of vision,' emphasizing a focus and unity inspired by the bird. The new logo was featured on jerseys for the first time ahead of the 2026-27 season.

When was the Vancouver Goldeneyes franchise announced and when did they start playing?

The Vancouver Goldeneyes franchise was announced on April 23, 2025, and they began playing in the 2025-26 PWHL season. They were the league's first announced expansion franchise, part of the initial expansion round alongside the Seattle Torrent. The team's inaugural game was a 4-3 home victory against the Seattle Torrent. This expansion followed significant fan interest demonstrated by a record-breaking crowd of 19,038 at a PWHL exhibition game in Vancouver on January 8, 2025.

Who were the first captain and alternate captains for the Vancouver Goldeneyes?

The first leadership group for the Vancouver Goldeneyes, announced on November 21, 2025, consisted of captain Ashton Bell and alternate captains Sarah Nurse and Claire Thompson. Ashton Bell has served as team captain from 2025 to the present. This core leadership was established ahead of the team's inaugural 2025-26 season. Sarah Nurse also scored the first goal in franchise history during the team's first game.

How did the Vancouver Goldeneyes perform in their inaugural 2025-26 season?

In their inaugural 2025-26 season, the Vancouver Goldeneyes finished 6th in the league with a record of 9 wins, 3 overtime wins, 4 overtime losses, and 14 regulation losses, failing to qualify for the playoffs. Despite high preseason expectations, the team struggled, especially on the road with a 3-1-1-10 away record. However, they led the league in regular season attendance, averaging over 11,200 fans per game. Their late season performance earned them the first overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft.

Sources and further reading

• Vancouver Goldeneyes (Wikipedia)
• Vancouver Goldeneyes | Home (thepwhl.com)
• Goldeneyes unveil new jerseys for 2026-27 season (dailyfaceoff.com)
• Five Goldeneyes Players Bring Olympic Silver Back to ... (oursportscentral.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.