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Vancouver continues to fill out PWHL roster by signing forwards Cava, Vanisova

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Montreal Victoire's Marie-Philip Poulin (29) and Ottawa Charge's Tereza Vanisova (13) battle for the puck during second-period PWHL playoff hockey action in Laval, Que., on Thursday, May 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Vancouver continued to fill out its expansion-season roster Tuesday by signing forwards Michela Cava and Tereza Vanisova to two-year contracts.

Cava won back-to-back Walter Cup titles as a member of the Minnesota Frost.

The 31-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., had nine goals and 10 assists in 30 games last season.

In Minnesota's two post-season runs, Cava has put up 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 18 contests.

Vanisova tied for second in the PWHL with 15 goals this season — including two hat tricks, tied with Montreal's Marie-Philip Poulin for the league lead — and added seven assists for the Charge.

The 29-year-old from Czechia has totalled 17 goals and 17 assists in 53 career games after being selected by Montréal in the seventh round of the inaugural draft and joining Ottawa at the inaugural trade deadline.

In other moves, the Charge also lost forward Shiann Darkangelo after she was signed to a two-year deal by the Montreal Victoire.

Darkangelo had eight goals and nine assists in 29 regular-season games for the Charge this past season. She added one goal in eight post-season contests as the Charge defeated Montreal in four games en route to the Walter Cup final in their first playoff appearance.

Ottawa later fell to the Frost in four games.

The 31-year-old from Brighton, Mich., was traded to Ottawa from Boston in the PWHL's inaugural season.

The signing comes just over a week after Montreal lost forwards Jennifer Gardiner and Abby Boreen to Vancouver through the expansion process.

The Toronto Sceptres added depth pieces Tuesday in signing goaltender Elaine Chuli and forward Claire Dalton away from Montreal. Both were signed to one-year contracts.

Chuli served as Ann-Reneé Desbiens' backup for the last two years. The Waterford, Ont., native appeared in 11 games with 10 starts for a record of 2-2-1-6 and a .910 save percentage in 2024-25.

The 31-year-old led the PWHL in save percentage in the league's inaugural season at .949 in eight regular-season games while boasting a 6-1 record.

Dalton, from Toronto, had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 30 regular-season games for the Victoire this past season.

The Boston Fleet also re-signed forward Susanna Tapani to a one-year deal.

The 32-year-old from Finland had 11 goals and seven assists in 30 games for the Fleet this past season, finishing third in team scoring.

Boston lost MVP candidate Hilary Knight and top rookie Hannah Bilka to Seattle in the expansion process.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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