After two years of playing in the big apple, Barrie’s Jessie Eldrige is heading west.
Eldridge was among the 14 players taken in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) expansion draft earlier this week, which filled out the rosters for the league’s two newest franchises in Vancouver and Seattle.
PWHL Seattle, which has yet to unveil the team’s official name, took Eldridge with the sixth pick in the draft. The 27-year-old has spent the last two years with the New York Sirens, where she posted six goals and 15 points in only 17 games last season.
“Your undeniable skill and energy not only changed the game for our team, but made an impact that went far beyond the ice,” read a statement from the Sirens posted on social media. “It’s been an honor to have you rep the Sirens logo.”
“Best of luck in Seattle.”
Eldrdige previously played collegiately at Colgate University in upstate New York, and also represented Canada during the 2022 women’s world championship, where she won a gold medal.
In Seattle, Eldridge will join U.S. national team captain Hilary Knight, Montreal Victoire standout Cayla Barnes, as well as rookie sensation Danielle Serdachny.
Meanwhile, goaltender Corinne Schroeder and forward Alex Carpenter, both of whom were Eldridge’s teammates on the Sirens last season, will also play for PWHL Seattle next year.
Seattle and Vancouver will become the league’s seventh and eighth teams, joining the ‘inaugural six,’ which consists of the Sirens, Victoire, Toronto Sceptres, Ottawa Charge, Boston Fleet, and two-time Walter Cup champions Minnesota Frost.
Seattle will play its home games at Climate Pledge Arena, also the home to the Kraken, the city’s NHL franchise.
However, before play gets underway next season, the league’s eight teams will participate in the annual PWHL entry draft, set to be held on June 24 in Ottawa.
