The PWHL announced right side defender Cayla Barnes is the third player signed to a contract with expansion team PWHL Seattle.
Barnes’ three-year contract is the longest announced by the American expansion team thus far, following a two-year contract for right wing Danielle Serdachny out of Ottawa, and a one-year contract for former Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight.
The 26-year-old defender just completed her first professional season with the Montréal Victoire. Barnes led rookie defenders in scoring during the 2024-25 season with two goals and eleven assists across 30 games. As a member of the United States national team, she has earned two Olympic medals, including a gold medal in 2018, and three gold medals and three silver medals at Women’s World Championships. In 2024, she won the NCAA Championship with the Ohio State University.
As a California native, Barnes had previously stated her excitement for helping to bring elite women’s hockey to fans on the West Coast, calling such a move “a fantastic opportunity.”
“I am thrilled and thankful for this opportunity to join PWHL Seattle in its inaugural season,” Barnes said after the signing. “The passion for women’s hockey has proven that Seattle is truly a hockey town, and I can’t wait to get started. I want to thank the Montréal Victoire for the opportunity to play for such a historic city and for drafting me into this league. Playing for the Victoire will always be a memorable chapter in my career that I hold close to my heart. I am looking forward to returning to the West Coast and to get to know the fans, the city, and the hockey community in Seattle!”
PWHL Seattle General Manager Meghan Turner was confident in the value of adding the young player to her team’s expanding lineup.
“Adding Cayla is a big step for our team. She’s a dynamic defender who moves the puck well and consistently contributes offensively. Even as a rookie last season, she played with the poise and presence of a veteran, and we see her playing a key role on our blue line.”
The exclusive signing window for PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle continues until 5 p.m. EST on June 8. Each team can sign up to five players during that time.
