Exciting Times Ahead: Previewing the Third Season of the Professional Women's Hockey League
The Professional Women's Hockey League is gearing up for its third season, expanding from six to eight teams. The season will commence on Nov. 21, with the debut of the two new teams, PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle. The Minnesota Frost, the reigning champions, will also start their quest for a third consecutive Walter Cup on the same night. The league has increased the number of games to 120, with each team playing 30 games and facing off against each other at least four times.
The league's executive vice-president of hockey operations, Jayna Hefford, expressed excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting the addition of the expansion teams and the growth of the PWHL community on the west coast. The first weekend of the season will see all eight teams in action, with matchups like the Ottawa Charge versus the New York Sirens and the Montreal Victoire against the Boston Fleet. The league plans to continue its Takeover Tour, visiting various cities throughout the season.
The expansion teams, Vancouver and Seattle, have been built from scratch and will showcase new talent in the league. Vancouver's blue line is particularly strong, featuring defenders who previously won the Walter Cup with Minnesota. With some key players moving to the expansion teams, existing teams like Toronto and Montreal will see changes in their lineups. The New York Sirens, in particular, have undergone significant transformations with the departure of key players and the introduction of new talent.
The upcoming season will also include an Olympic break, impacting the selection of the Canadian Olympic team. The PWHL will pause for international training and competition, including the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series games in Edmonton. The league will also pause during the Olympics, with women's hockey at the Olympics scheduled to begin on Feb. 5. The gold medal game is set for Feb. 19.
As the PWHL prepares for an exciting third season, fans can look forward to more games, new matchups, and the emergence of fresh talent in the league. Stay tuned for updates on broadcast plans and additional games hosted outside of teams' home venues. Get ready for an action-packed season of women's hockey!