Vancouver Goldeneyes have signed Finnish Olympian Sini Karjalainen to a reserve player contract, the team announced Sunday.
The move gives the Goldeneyes added depth on the blue line as they try to claw their way into the playoff picture over the final stretch of Season 3. Vancouver currently sits seventh in PWHL standings with 27 points and an 8-11 record through 23 games.
Karjalainen brings international pedigree to a roster that needs a jolt. She has represented Finland at multiple major tournaments, including the Olympics. Reserve contracts allow teams to bring in players without immediately committing a full roster spot, giving coaching staff flexibility to evaluate the fit before making a permanent decision.
The Goldeneyes are not short on offensive talent. Hannah Miller leads the club with 24 points in 29 games. Sarah Nurse has 23 points in 24 appearances, and Tereza Vanisova's 15 goals pace the team. Sophie Jaques has been productive from the back end with 22 points, including 15 assists.
Where Vancouver has struggled is on the defensive side of the puck and in goal. Adding a veteran defender with Karjalainen's experience could stabilize a group that has allowed too many quality chances.
The math for a playoff spot is tight. Vancouver and New York both have 27 points, but the Sirens hold a game in hand. Toronto sits just above at 31 points in fifth. The Goldeneyes need wins in bunches to have any hope of catching the Sceptres, and every roster addition from here forward is made with that urgency in mind.
The expectation is that Karjalainen will practice with the team this week before the coaching staff decides on her availability. With seven games left on the schedule, Vancouver does not have much runway to integrate new pieces, but the front office clearly felt the risk was worth taking.
The signing signals that the Goldeneyes are not ready to concede their season. Whether Karjalainen can make enough of an impact in a short window remains to be seen.