Sports
Hannah Miller signs three-year deal with PWHL Vancouver
PWHL Vancouver is bringing one of its own back home. The team announced today that forward Hannah Miller has signed a three-year Standard Player Agreement, keeping her in Vancouver through the 2027-28 season.
“Hannah is an elite forward who can put up points and wear down opponents,” said General Manager Cara Gardner Morey. “We are excited to bring her home to Vancouver to be part of our foundation.”
Miller, originally from North Vancouver, spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Sceptres. Over that span, she tallied 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists) in 52 games, which puts her tied for seventh in all-time PWHL scoring. She had a standout year in 2024, finishing tied for fifth in the league with 24 points and leading the power play with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists).
Drafted by Toronto in the 13th round of the league’s first-ever draft, Miller has also played professionally in the CWHL, ZhHL, and SDHL after graduating from St. Lawrence University. Internationally, she suited up for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She was later named to Canada’s 2025 Women’s World Championship roster, but was ruled ineligible by the IIHF.
“I’m truly honoured and very excited to be joining the team in Vancouver,” said Miller. “It means so much to me to represent the city where I first fell in love with the game. It’s a real full-circle moment, and I can’t wait to meet all the fans and get started!”
Miller joins a growing roster that includes forwards Sarah Nurse, Jenn Gardiner, Brooke McQuigge, Abby Boreen, Izzy Daniel, Gabby Rosenthal, and Denisa Křížová; defenders Sophie Jaques, Claire Thompson, Ashton Bell, and Sydney Bard; and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer.
With free agency now open following the Expansion Draft, this was the first chance for teams to sign players on expiring contracts. PWHL Vancouver still has more moves to make with six picks in the upcoming 2025 PWHL Draft, including the seventh overall. The draft, presented by Upper Deck, is set for Tuesday, June 24 at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET. The first three rounds will be broadcast live on TSN, with full coverage on TSN+ and the league’s YouTube channel.
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
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.