Sarah Nurse is set to debut with the Vancouver franchise in the Professional Women’s Hockey League this upcoming season. Prior to hitting the ice, Nurse has already left a lasting impression with a Barbie doll modeled after her. The Canadian forward, who was the MVP at the 2022 Olympic women’s hockey tournament, is one of the featured players in a recent collaboration between the PWHL, Tim Hortons, and Mattel.
Nurse, along with Montreal Victoire standout Marie-Philip Poulin, each have their own Barbie doll adorned in PWHL gear as part of a project that celebrates women’s accomplishments in the sport. Reflecting on this initiative, Nurse expressed gratitude for the opportunity to inspire younger generations by showcasing that women can excel as professional hockey players.
Having previously been involved in a similar Barbie project, Nurse and Poulin were previously featured as Olympic players in a collaboration between Hockey Canada, Tim Hortons, and Mattel. The success of their initial partnership led to this latest edition, which aims to encourage young girls to pursue their dreams of playing professional hockey.
During a joint photoshoot for the Barbie campaign, Nurse and Poulin had the chance to see their dolls, which were meticulously styled to reflect their real-life appearances. This experience was particularly special for Nurse, who emphasized the importance of demonstrating to girls that playing professional hockey is an attainable goal.
As Nurse gears up for her new journey with the Vancouver team, following her stint with the Toronto Sceptres, she looks forward to joining forces with Olympic teammates Emerance Maschmeyer and Claire Thompson. The Vancouver franchise, set to kick off its inaugural season in November at the Pacific Coliseum, marks another significant milestone in Nurse’s illustrious career, which includes being the first female cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL video game in 2023 and playing a key role in negotiating the PWHL’s inaugural collective bargaining agreement.