The PWHL's new Vancouver franchise went defense first by landing the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost’s blue-line duo of Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques to start the league’s expansion signing period on Wednesday.

Vancouver's new Professional Women's Hockey League team has signed its first player, nabbing defender Claire Thompson from the Minnesota Frost. Vancouver later announced the signing of Thompson's Frost teammate and fellow blueliner Sophie Jaques to a three-year contract.

Only permitted to initially protect three players meant the PWHL's expansion process was going to sting the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost. It didn't take long to hit as Vancouver poached defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques on Wednesday.