Since being announced as one of two new expansion teams to join the PWHL for the upcoming season, PWHL Vancouver has put a lot of work into building their roster for their inaugural season.
Talent they have acquired includes three forwards: Jennifer Gardiner, Hannah Miller, and Chanreet Bassi, all of whom grew up in British Columbia.
Gardiner was the first of the three to join PWHL Vancouver as the fifth and final signing in their exclusive signing window. She was followed by Miller, who signed as a free agent on the first day of signings. The final local addition to the roster was Bassi, Vancouver’s fifth and final pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft.
Here is a deeper dive into PWHL Vancouver’s provincially homegrown players.
Jenn Gardiner
Gardiner grew up in Surrey, and played college hockey for the Ohio State Buckeyes. She played five years for Ohio State from 2019-2024, and set a program record of 176 games played. Over her time with the Buckeyes, she recorded 71 goals and 100 assists for a total of 171 points and a PPG of 0.97. Gardiner was only the third ever Buckeyes player to achieve 100 assists.
The Buckeyes have won the NC Women’s Ice Hockey Championship twice, and Gardiner was part of the team both times. They won the first time in 2022 and the second championship in 2024, with Gardiner as team captain and in her final year.
In the 2024 PWHL draft, Gardiner was selected by the Montréal Victoire as their fifth pick in round two, going eleventh overall. She played her rookie season with them through the 2024-2025 season with a total of five goals and 13 assists over 30 games played. She was also a finalist for the 2025 PWHL Rookie of the Year award, but ultimately did not win.
One of Gardiner’s games was played here in Vancouver, as a part of the PWHL Takeover Tour on January 8, 2025. Vancouver showed up, with an attendance of 19,038, which at that point in the NHL 2024-2025 season was higher than any Vancouver Canucks home game attendance. The Victoire were victorious with a 4-2 win over the Toronto Scepters.
After joining PWHL Vancouver in June, Gardiner agreed to a one-year Standard Player Agreement for the 2025-2026 season and will require an extension at the end of the upcoming season.
Gardiner has showcased her leadership and offensive skills throughout her collegiate career and PWHL rookie season. With extra motivation from her hometown crowd, Gardiner is looking to have a strong sophomore campaign.
Hannah Miller
PWHL Vancouver’s second hometown addition, Miller, was born in North Vancouver and played NCAA hockey for the St. Lawrence Saints in Canton, New York. She played for the Saints from 2014-2018 for a collegiate career total of 122 points (43 goals , 79 assists) in 123 games, averaging a 0.99 PPG.
In the six year gap between when Miller graduated from St. Lawrence in 2018, to when she started playing in the PWHL in their inaugural 2024 season, she played hockey in China with the KRS Vanke Rays organization. Due to the amount of time she spent playing for them, she became eligible to represent China on the international level. In the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, Miller, whose Chinese name is Mi Le, played with the People’s Republic of China women’s ice hockey team, finishing ninth in the tournament.
Miller has since returned to play hockey in North America as part of the PWHL. Before joining PWHL Vancouver, she played for the Toronto Scepters for two years, including the PWHL inaugural season. Miller was also a part of the Vancouver stop of the PWHL Takeover Tour, playing against Gardiner and the Victoire.
With the Scepters, Miller has played a total of 52 games, scoring 17 goals and 21 assists for a total of 38 points. In the latest PWHL season, Miller played 29 games and reached double digits in goals and assists for the first time in her PWHL career (10 goals, 14 assists).
On June 16, 2025, PWHL Vancouver announced the signing of Miller to a three-year Standard Player Agreement. Miller showed her eagerness to be a part of her hometown organization, signing with them on the first day of the 2025 PWHL free agency.
As a part of PWHL Vancouver, she will help build and lead the new franchise. She brings veteran and Olympic experience to the team, while still working towards her own improvement each season.
Chanreet Bassi
Bassi grew up in Kelowna and played hockey for the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver. She started playing for the Thunderbirds in 2019 until she graduated this year. Due to COVID, she was allowed an extra year of eligibility. Across her time with the Thunderbirds, she played 166 games, scoring 51 goals and earning 83 assists for a total of 134 points, and a 0.81 PPG.
In PWHL Vancouver’s first PWHL Draft, Bassi was the final pick of the draft. As the forty-eighth overall pick, Bassi was the only U SPORTS player to be chosen in this draft and she made up one of twenty-four Canadians chosen.
Before playing a PWHL game, Bassi has already made history just by being drafted into the league. She is the first South Asian player to be drafted into the PWHL, making her community proud and serving as inspiration for younger generations. She is also the first Thunderbird to be drafted into the PWHL.
Bassi is yet to sign her contract with PWHL Vancouver, but will be aiming to earn her spot amongst competitors and play on the team in front of her home crowd, just like Gardiner and Miller.
