Sports
Claire Thompson Signs With PWHL Vancouver For Inaugural Season
PWHL Vancouver has officially locked in its first player. The team announced today that defender Claire Thompson has signed a one-year Standard Player Agreement for the 2025-26 season. Thompson, who just helped the Minnesota Frost win the Walter Cup and was a finalist for the league’s 2025 Defender of the Year award, brings both championship experience and star power to the new franchise.
“Claire is one of the best defenders in the world and a phenomenal leader who will help create a culture of excellence in Vancouver,” said General Manager Cara Gardner Morey. “Having had the privilege of coaching Claire at Princeton, I know how exceptional she is as a player and as a person and couldn’t be prouder to build our foundation with her contributions both on and off the ice.”
Thompson had a standout year with Minnesota, finishing third among all defenders with 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 30 games. In just her fourth pro game, she tied a league record with a four-point night( one goal and three assists) on December 19. She followed that up with a strong postseason, recording six assists in eight playoff games.
Now 27, Thompson returns to pro hockey after taking a year to focus on medical school. She was the third overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft, and her resume includes a gold medal at the 2022 Olympics and medals at three IIHF Women’s World Championships (gold in 2021, silver in 2023 and 2025). She played her NCAA hockey at Princeton.
“I’m incredibly excited to join PWHL Vancouver and be a part of this new chapter of women’s ice hockey,” said Thompson. “The opportunity to help build something special from the ground up is truly meaningful. I can’t wait to connect with the fans and represent this city!”
Expansion teams have until Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. ET to sign up to five players during their exclusive signing window. The 2025 Expansion Draft presented by Upper Deck is set for Monday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET, with both Seattle and Vancouver selecting a minimum of seven players each to reach 12-player rosters.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
2026 Stars On Ice Announces Olympic Bronze Medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirierat in Vancouver
Canadian figure skating fans are getting a rare post-Olympic victory lap moment this spring.
Fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the country’s top skaters are heading out on the 2026 edition of Stars on Ice, with a stop in Vancouver set for May 12 at Rogers Arena.
Leading the lineup are Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance this season, inspired by The Starry Night, helped secure their first Olympic podium and quickly became one of the most talked-about programs of the Games.
They’ll be joined by a stacked group of Canadian talent, including world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Also on the bill: four-time national champion Madeline Schizas, and rising pair team Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who recently picked up medals on the world stage.
The tour leans heavily into nostalgia too. Canadian icon Elvis Stojko returns as a central figure, still known for the kind of power and speed that made him a standout in the ’90s. Kaetlyn Osmond, one of the country’s most decorated skaters with Olympic gold, silver, and bronze to her name, is back as well.
Rounding out the cast are fan favourites Keegan Messing and Roman Sadovsky, with Sadovsky making his Stars on Ice debut. For the Vancouver show, guest performers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac will join the lineup.
Behind the scenes, Kurt Browning returns as director and choreographer. His work has shaped the tour for years, blending technical skating with a more theatrical style that plays well in an arena setting.
The Vancouver stop is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets already on sale through the usual outlets. Prices start at $35, with premium on-ice seating and group options available. More information on the Stars On Ice website.