Manitoba star defender Ashton Bell was the first player selected in the PWHL's expansion draft and the Deloraine product will now join a stacked Vancouver team that's looking to make an instant impact on the league.
"Obviously, it took a couple of days to process everything that happened," Bell said in the quite after a busy week. "I think that me leaving Ottawa and my teammates there, the community, it was such a cool experience to be a part of that organization for two years. I'm excited to head out west and grow women's hockey out there and to be one of the first twelve players to start that franchise."
Leading up to an expansion draft, teams have time to prepare, media speculates and fans dream up scenarios, but Bell says it's different as a player. "When we were first hit with the expansion rules, we were all kind of shook up that those were the rules. It was crazy for us to process all that could potentially happen. After I wasn't protected in Ottawa, I knew my chances of being picked up were quite high in the expansion draft, so I was just ready for anything. At that point, I knew it was out of my control, whatever happens happens, I'm just going to make the most of the opportunity. I'm very excited to be a part of Vancouver and looking forward to starting a new journey out there."
Being a professional, Bell doesn't take it personally that she was not protected by Ottawa. "I think that they have incredible players and people on Ottawa. The choices they made, who they chose to protect, I respect their decision 100% and completely understand. You have (goaltender) Gwyneth (Philips), she had an incredible run in the playoffs, you have 'Clarkie' (Emily Clark) who is a no-brainer. Ronja (Savolainen) is also an incredible defender who I also look up to, then you have Gabbie Hughes, she's obviously a great center. I'm happy for them and I don't hold it against anybody at all."
As tough as it may have been for Bell to be told she's leaving Ottawa, Vancouver, at least on paper, looks like it may be a power house and can challenge for a Walter Cup championship right away. "I think that already the twelve players that are on Vancouver are incredible," she says with a competitive smile and tone in her voice. "We have four Walter Cup champions from this year, some national team players and I'm definitely excited to be joining that group. It's a huge honour."
Looking ahead to this upcoming season, Bell says she's not sure what kind of role she'll be asked to take, but she's ready to elevate her game. "We haven't had too many conversations about roles just yet, they've really just been about if I'd be interested heading out there and if they'd be interested in me. I'm sure those conversations will be coming, but I feel like it might be similar to my role in Ottawa, just being a shutdown defender, but I'm hoping to produce more offensively this year."
Being selected in the expansion draft means Bell's contract will be going with her, and being on the last year of her deal, Bell is looking at using this year to really solidify herself as a PWHL player. "I think this next season is huge for me. I want to prove myself even more in this league. I'm hoping at some point, I'll be able to extend my contract in Vancouver, that would be amazing."
Going back to her days as a Westman Wildcat, players coming from that team now and even new coach Karissa Kirkup are quick to talk about Bell as someone to look up to, something Bell cherishes. "That means everything, that's why we all do it, to inspire that next generation. To know young girls are aspiring to play in the PWHL, us players back in the day didn't have this league to look to, but for them to dream about being here one day, that's pretty special."
It's been an incredible rise for the PWHL and as a player, Bell has had a unique view of the growth and the sustainability of a popular product. "I think it's been incredible what this league has been able to do the past couple of years. This years playoffs, the fans, all the markets are unbelievable. In Ottawa, it was crazy getting to play in front of a packed house. I'm sure Vancouver will also be great, they had an incredible showing during the Takeover Game there. I'm super excited about the growth of women's hockey and the trajectory of the game, I really believe it's going to get better."
The league has done a great job building and Bell says she see's no signs of it slowing down. "I think it will continue to grow, the league, the fanbase, it'll be great. We'll continue to be on live television for all people to see. Making it accessible to all. The growth has been incredible and to see the continued support in all the markets is the biggest thing. We want it to be known for younger girls, having clinics and one-on-one time with professionals, that'll really help grow the game."
These new teams are not just providing more room for players, it's also allowing more people to get into professional hockey and that's something Bell also is quite proud about. "It's huge, having more opportunity for staff and players. There's so much talent coming up from the high school and college level, having more spots is awesome and we're already seeing that. We just expanded to eight and maybe in a few years we could be at ten or twelve, that would make for more opportunities and a more livable wage, as well."
As opposed to other professional leagues where expansion could be viewed as having a more watered down product, Bell believes there are so many talented women that will now be able to play professional hockey, the game is going to be much better for it. "You want the competition to still be good and still be a high level. We're capable of getting up to eight or ten teams and having that depth being there. With that comes increasing our minimum salary, I think getting that up first after we get to eight, that will be a big stride for our league to take."
With the change and now heading to Vancouver, Bell says she did a little homework to make sure one thing in particular would not change. "I don't think, I haven't really gone through everyone's numbers, but I think 21 might still be open," she says with a laugh. "I'd give up just about anything to have it. I'll have to dig into that, though."
When it comes to the team name, the first player selected by the organization has put some thought into it, "oh yes, I've thought about this," she says confidently. "I like Vancouver Tides. That's my guess, that would be pretty good."
After years in Ottawa, Bell has amassed quite the collection of Charge related swag, something she's in the process of dealing with and deciding what to do. "I already have a big box to bring home. I might just be handing it out, but family will be switching to Vancouver stuff now, so I guess we'll see."
Family has always been at the core for Bell and through this whole time, she credits them with helping her through. "They've been amazing, they've been with me since day one. Through ups and downs of a season or my career, they've been there. They're really excited that I'm heading out west, it's a little easier to travel out there. We have family and relatives out there, as well. The town of Deloraine has been going crazy and they've been reaching out. It feels pretty special."
From Deloraine to across the province, many hockey fans will be cheering on Ashton Bell and the new PWHL franchise in Vancouver.