The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is set to make waves once again as it prepares for its second season, following the excitement of its record-breaking inaugural year. Fans can look forward to nine neutral site games during the 2024-2025 season, promoting the league's mission to broaden its market reach. This initiative, christened the ‘Takeover Tour’, aims to showcase women’s hockey across select American and Canadian cities, stirring interest and excitement among local fans.
The ‘Takeover Tour’ is more than just impressive matchups; it acts as something of an audition for potential new markets considering joining the league. With games scheduled for Buffalo, Denver, Detroit, Edmonton, Raleigh, Seattle, St. Louis, Quebec City, and Vancouver, the league is deliberately targeting cities with burgeoning hockey fan bases. For example, last season’s game at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena broke records, drawing over 13,700 fans and making it clear these events resonate with local audiences.
Kickstarting the tour on January 5 at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena, the Boston Fleet will clash with the Montreal Victoire. Fans can anticipate Vancouver's Rogers Arena opening the Canadian leg of the tour just three days later, hosting both the Victoire and the Toronto Sceptres.
A shift toward richer engagement doesn’t stop there. Cities like Quebec City—eager for expansion—are counting on this tour. City councillor Jackie Smith declared the event pivotal for Quebec’s objective of acquiring its own PWHL franchise. Local excitement hints at the vibrant hope of potential hockey fans as they await the decision on new team placements.
Expansion remains very much on the horizon for the PWHL. Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Amy Scheer, indicated there’s potential for up to two new teams by the 2025-2026 season. With over 20 proposed markets already being considered, it appears there’s no shortage of interest. Scheer emphasized their openness to proposals, stating, “We want to be open to things we haven’t thought about or considered.”
Importantly, the league has opted for caution, ensuring thorough research prior to sharing any announcements related to franchise expansions. Among Canadian cities like Edmonton and Vancouver, the previous success of the NHL teams there certainly boosts their branding efforts for acquiring PWHL teams. Their established fan bases can help bolster future attendance.
This coming season also signifies new beginnings for the league as they introduced team names and logos for the first time—an effort to cultivate unique identities for each franchise. Located predominantly in North America, the league’s six teams—Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres—are gearing up for increased competition and visibility.
Each team is slated to play 30 games this season, which is up from the 24 contests of year one. This increased play will improve marketability and give fans more opportunities to engage, as well as highlight the talent within the league. Teams have begun transitioning to larger venues, with Toronto moving from Mattamy Athletic Centre to the Coca-Cola Coliseum, capable of holding around 8,000 fans and ensuring a more vibrant atmosphere.
The PWHL not only aims to deepen its fan engagement but also showcases the next generation of women hockey players. While the league is building on prior experiences, exciting changes like new logos, dedicated jerseys, and innovative rules have been put forth. A change to the points system is among the most significant alterations—three points for regulation wins, two for overtime and shootout wins, and one for losses resulting from either overtime or shootouts.
Perhaps most critically, the PWHL is embracing the more extensive hockey culture, allowing physical play but also instituting new regulations to manage dangerous hits to keep players safe. Among these are the “no escape rule” and stringent penalties for illegal hits to the head.
Heading toward this new season, eyes will be particularly fixed on storylines surrounding team performance and player health. Minnesota, with strong returning players, is poised to defend its title after capturing the league championship last year. At the same time, Toronto faces challenges with star player Natalie Spooner on recovery leave due to knee surgery, prompting all eyes to see how the team adapts without its MVP.
With these substantial changes and the notable introduction of neutral-site games, the PWHL is not merely growing; it’s establishing itself as a dominant player on the sports scene. The interest and support from the hockey community speaks volumes and creates optimism about the future of women’s hockey. Clips of these landmark moments will be readily available via streaming platforms, making it easy for fans to remain connected. Fans can catch all the action, from explosive matchups to the encouraging stories of athletes determined to showcase their skills on broader stages.