Marie-Philip Poulin to sign with PWHL Montreal, Sarah Nurse to join Toronto

Two key members of the Canadian women's national hockey team have found homes in the new Professional Women's Hockey League.

According to Sportsnet's Jeff Marek, Marie-Philip Poulin is set to sign with Montreal while Sarah Nurse will be one of the first to sign in Toronto.

Poulin, 32, earned the nickname "Captain Clutch" for her proclivity to score crucial goals at crucial times for Team Canada. The Boston University alum has helped Canada achieve six gold medals in international play, including two in 2022.

Nurse, 28, has also been a cornerstone in this era of Canadian women's hockey, setting two Olympic records in 2022 for most points and assists in a tournament. She's captured three gold medals with Canada and joined NHLer Trevor Zegras on the cover of EA Sports' NHL 23.

Joining Poulin in Montreal will goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens and forward Laura Stacey, Marek reports.

Desbiens, 29, earned three gold medals and three silver medals with Team Canada and participated in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game during the women's hockey showcase. Stacey, a Mississauga, Ont., native, is also a member of the three-time gold medal-winning Team Canada.

Nurse will be joined in Toronto by fellow national team members Renata Fast and Blayre Turnbull.

Fast, 28, recently played for the then-PWHPA team in Toronto. Fast and Turnbull, 30, each won three gold medals as members of the women's national team in Canada.

Marek also reported that Americans Abby Roque and Alex Carpenter will be the first to sign with PWHL New York.

Each of the six teams in the PWHL are permitted to sign three players during the initial free agency period from Sept. 1 to 10. Players not signed will then be available to be selected in a 15-round player draft scheduled for Sept. 18.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Ottawa franchise announced its first three signings: Forwards Emily Clark and Brianne Jenner as well as goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer.