Sirens sign Lauren Bernard to one-year contract
The New York Sirens are making moves as they hope to climb out of last place for the second season in a row.
The New York Sirens are making moves as they hope to climb out of last place for the second season in a row.
Defender Lauren Bernard has signed a one-year contract with the Sirens and Olivia Knowles has been placed on the reserve list, the team announced Monday.
Before the signing, Bernard was with the Toronto Sceptres as one of their reserve players, however, PWHL rules state that reserve players can be picked up or signed by any of the teams prior to the roster freeze, which will come into effect on Friday at noon.
The 23-year-old rookie was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft by the Sceptres and has since appeared in 15 games for Toronto and added one assist.
“I’m happy to welcome Lauren to the Sirens family,” said Pascal Daoust, Sirens General Manager. “Lauren was a targeted player in the draft due to her skating abilities — both with and without the puck — her vision, and the experience she gained in her role with her championship team. As a rookie in the league, our plan is to give her the time and support she needs to develop while maintaining a high-calibre defensive core for the future.”
The Sceptres originally released Bernard from her standard player agreement, moving her to the reserve list, on Feb. 11 to make room on the roster for Natalie Spooner in her return.
The Sirens are familiar with this kind of reserve move; they initially acquired Knowles from the Sceptres’ reserve list earlier this season on Dec. 6.
