A British Columbia native is moving back home.



On Thursday, PWHL Vancouver announced the team has signed forward Jenn Gardiner to a one-year contract. She was made available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pwhl-announces-expansion-vancouver">to Vancouver</a>&nbsp;during their exclusive signing period,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pwhl-announces-expansion-seattle-will-start-2025-26">during which they and Seattle</a>&nbsp;have&nbsp;the first opportunity to sign players.



The Surrey native was taken 11th overall by the Montreal Victoire in the 2024 PWHL Draft, signing a two-year contract. She made an immediate impact with the club, especially playing on the top line with Laura Stacey and captain Marie-Philip Poulin. Gardiner scored five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 30 games, finishing second in freshman scoring behind New York Sirens star Sarah Fillier. 



“Simply put, it’s a dream come true,” <a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/june/05/jenn-gardiner-signs-with-hometown-pwhl-vancouver">Gardiner said in a release</a>. “Ever since I was a little girl on the Surrey Falcons and Greater Vancouver Comets, I have wanted to play professional hockey for my hometown team. I am so excited to help build a legacy that makes other girls in British Columbia dream big, and I am thrilled to play in front of my friends and family again.”<div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="179"></div>



The former Ohio State Buckeye was named a finalist for the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/fillier-gardiner-philips-named-pwhl-rookie-of-the-year-finalists">PWHL Rookie of the Year award</a>.



Gardiner marks the fifth and final signing <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/cara-gardner-morey-named-first-general-manager-pwhl-vancouver">general manager Cara Gardner Morey</a> is allowed to make during the signing period. She’ll have to wait until Monday night’s expansion draft to add any more players to her roster. Vancouver already has defenders <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pwhl-vancouver-signs-claire-thompson-sophie-jaques-minnesota-frost">Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques</a>, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-in-really-good-shape-regarding-upcoming-cba-talks-gary-bettman-marty-walsh">goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/report-pwhl-vancouver-signs-sarah-nurse-toronto-sceptres-pwhl">forward Sarah Nurse</a>. 



Safe to say that’s a pretty good core to start with.



As Gardiner was the second player signed away from the Victoire, as <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pwhl-seattle-sign-cayla-barnes">PWHL Seattle acquired Cayla Barnes</a> on Thursday, Montreal gets to protect another player,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pwhl-announce-rules-format-for-2025-expansion-draft-seattle-vancouver">per the PWHL’s expansion rules</a>. The team has announced that <a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/june/05/montreal-victoire-adds-erin-ambrose-to-protected-list-for-2025-pwhl-expansion-roster-building-process">2024 Defender of the Year Erin Ambrose</a> is now being protected.



Seattle has four players signed, with one spot available before the signing period ends on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="147"></div>



The first-ever PWHL Expansion Draft is on Monday, June 9.



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