EDMONTON — The Professional Women's Hockey League is set to bring its excitement to Edmonton with a neutral site game featuring the Toronto Sceptres and the Ottawa Charge on February 16, 2024. This anticipated matchup will be held at Rogers Place, the home arena of the Edmonton Oilers, marking another significant milestone for the league that's steadily driving interest and engagement in women's hockey.
Prior to Edmonton's announcement, the PWHL had already selected eight other cities to host games as part of their Takeover Tour, including Seattle, Vancouver, Denver, Quebec City, Buffalo, Raleigh, N.C., Detroit, and St. Louis. All games are arranged to take place primarily at venues housing NHL teams, with the exception being Quebec City’s Videotron Centre, demonstrating the league's commitment to showcasing women's hockey across North America.
“Bringing PWHL games to fans across both countries is a natural next step as we continue building our audience,” stated Amy Scheer, the PWHL’s senior vice-president of business operations. She emphasized the enthusiastic reception from cities eager to engage with the league, indicating how the PWHL Takeover Tour is not only about showcasing talent but also about broadening the league's business opportunities and fan base.
For many players, this upcoming game has personal significance. Danielle Serdachny, who was the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, expressed her excitement about playing on her home turf for the first time professionally. “I haven't really played in Edmonton before on this type of stage, so I know a lot of family and friends will be able to make it, and my grandparents will be there too, which is awesome because I don't know if they'd ever get the opportunity to fly out to Ottawa or east,” she mentioned.
Serdachny believes Edmonton's fanbase would embrace the PWHL, reflecting on the city's tradition of supporting the Edmonton Oilers. “This game here in February will be a good test to see how interested they are in the women's game, and I have no doubts they'll show up. I'm really looking forward to it,” she said, underscoring her confidence in the community's support for women's hockey.
The match not only serves as entertainment but also ties directly to the league's vision of expansion. The PWHL has plans to grow by adding up to two additional teams by the 2025-26 season. This potential growth suggests the league is tracking trends and, based on fan engagement, considering more permanent affections to cities like Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec City, Pittsburgh, and Detroit.
The Toronto Sceptres arrive at this event as regular-season champions of the previous season, known for featuring prominent players such as MVP Natalie Spooner and Sarah Nurse, who is related to Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Charge, needing to recover from a challenging past season where they finished fifth out of six teams, aim to prove their potential with strong leadership from Serdachny and seasoned players like Brianne Jenner and goalie Emerance Maschmeyer.
The season for the PWHL kicks off on November 30, with the Sceptres hosting the Boston Fleet and the Montreal Victoire facing the Charge. The league has set records for attendance at women's professional games, with previous records showing over 21,000 spectators at the Bell Centre during high-profile matches, showcasing the rising popularity and support for women's hockey.
Looking forward, the February game at Rogers Place presents fans with the opportunity to engage directly with their local athletes and witness the growth of women's sports. Tickets for the PWHL event will go on pre-sale starting November 21, 2024, reflecting the league's strategy to encourage immediate fan involvement and excitement surrounding women’s hockey.
With pre-season games currently being played, the buzz surrounding the March 16 event at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena—where the PWHL set its attendance record—indicates high expectations for similar success at upcoming venues. Ensuring vibrant crowds for women’s hockey games is part of the broader narrative of empowering female athletes and enriching local sports communities.
— With files from Daniel Rainbird.
