PWHL expansion phase 3 updates: Detroit signs Macomb Township’s Taylor Girard

(WXYZ) — After signing five players during the second phase of the expansion selection process, PWHL Detroit can sign more players during phase three, which kicked off Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, the team announced it had signed defender Sydney Bard to a two-year contract ahead of the team's first season. She's the first player added during phase three.

Then on Thursday, the team signed Taylor Girard, who is from Macomb Tow ship. She's the first Michigan native on the team.

She has 17 points in her PWHL career and reunites with PWHL Detroit coach Josh Sciba, who was an assistant with New York.

Related: Watch below: PWHL Detroit players & GM speak after end of expansion phase twoPWHL Detroit players & GM speak after end of expansion phase 2Detroit signed Daryl Watts to a four-year contract, Cayla Barnes to a three-year deal, forward Hannah Bilka to a two-year deal, forward Britta Curl-Salemme to a three-year deal and forward Jesse Compher to a three-year contract.

The team also has an agreement in place to trade for former Seattle and Team USA Captain Hilary Knight. Knight was officially signed by PWHL Las Vegas during phase two.

However, the Associated Press reported that PWHL Detroit has a sign-and-trade deal in place where Knight will come to Detroit and PWHL Las Vegas will get Detroit's first round draft pick. The deal won’t become official until the PWHL’s trade freeze lifts on June 16, a day before the draft.