Ashton Bell is a Canadian defenceman from Deloraine, Manitoba, who developed through the Westman Wildcats before joining the University of Minnesota Duluth. Originally a forward, Bell transitioned to defence during her university career and quickly established herself as an elite two-way player. She earned WCHA First All-Star Team honours three times, was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020–21, and was selected as an NCAA First Team All-American in 2022–23. 

Bell made her senior international debut at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, scoring once and adding two assists as Canada captured gold. She followed that with an Olympic gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, recording one goal and four assists in seven games. Bell has also won IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medals in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Earlier in her international career, she represented Canada at two U18 World Championships, winning silver in both 2016 and 2017 and earning a spot on the 2016 tournament Media All-Star Team. 

Bell was selected eighth overall by Ottawa in the inaugural PWHL Draft in 2023 and became a member of the Ottawa Charge for the league’s first two seasons. She was named to the 2024 PWHL All-Rookie Team after recording two goals and five assists in 24 games. In June 2025, Bell was selected first overall by Vancouver in the PWHL expansion draft, making her a foundational player for the new franchise. She subsequently became captain of the Vancouver Goldeneyes and signed a two-year contract extension through the 2027–28 season.