Vancouver Goldeneyes name defender Ashton Bell first-ever captain

Vancouver Goldeneyes Ashton Bell (21) skates during the opening day of the PWHL team's training camp, in Vancouver, on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Goldeneyes have named Ashton Bell the team’s first ever captain.

The new Professional Women’s Hockey League club made the announcement Friday morning ahead of its inaugural game against fellow expansion side, the Seattle Torrent.

Star forward Sarah Nurse and fellow defender Claire Thompson were named alternate captains.

Bell was picked first overall by Vancouver in June’s PWHL expansion draft.

She previously played two seasons for the Ottawa Charge, and put up three goals and three assists over 27 regular-season appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, then added one goal and one assist in eight playoff appearances.

The 25-year-old from Deloraine, Man., won gold with Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Bell was co-captain at the University of Minnesota-Duluth during her final season of collegiate hockey in 2022-23.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2025.