WILMINGTON, Del. – The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) dropped the puck on their opening day for the third time in league history ahead of the 2025-26 season. There were 10 former players from the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) conference, including three former Lakers.

Alexa Vasko made the Ottawa Charge roster for the second consecutive season. Vasko spent four years playing at Mercyhurst from 2017-2022 where she was eventually named a captain. The St. Catherines, Ontario native was named the best defensive forward in the CHA following the 2019-20 season. Here, Vasko scored 10 goals and tallied 17 assists for 27 points. Her 36 blocks led all forwards on the team. Vasko finished her Laker career with 38 goals and 52 assists for 90 points. 

Vasko spent her first PWHL season with Toronto, where she recorded two goals and a 52.5% faceoff percentage. With the Charge, Vasko has two goals and two assists for four points. She scored both of her goals against Minnesota in their home opener in the 2024-25 season. One of her goals in that game came in the dying minutes of the third period, where she received the puck on a penalty kill and scored a shorthanded, game-winner. 

Sam Isbell also made the Ottawa roster for the second year in a row. Isbell played for the Lakers from 2016-2020 as a defender. She was named to the CHA All-Conference Second Team following the 2019-20 season. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native finished her Laker career with 26 goals and 56 assists for 82 points. 

Isbell began her professional career in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). She played for the Montréal Force where she scored three goals and added nine assists for 12 points. Following the disbandment of the PHF, the PWHL was formed in 2024. Isbell played for both Boston and Ottawa that first season before Ottawa officially became the Ottawa Charge for the 2024-25 season. 

Vanessa Upson made her PWHL debut for the Minnesota Frost. Upson was drafted in the fifth round, 38th overall with Minnesota. The Stoney Creek, Ontario native became the 35th skater from the women's hockey program to make it to the pros. 

Upson completed her Laker career with incredible numbers. She scored 65 goals and tallied 82 assists for 147 points. 15 of those goals were game winners. Her freshman year, she scored 19 goals and recorded 20 assists, which led the team. She was named the USCHO Rookie of the Year, CHA Rookie of the Year, and led all Division-I freshman in goals, assists, and points. Her senior year, she scored 13 goals and added an AHA-high 30 assists. This put her at 12th in the nation for assists and 17th in points.

To read the full PWHL preseason release, click here.