The Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to commence its third season on November 21 with an expanded lineup of eight teams, up from the previous six teams. The season opener will feature the debut matches of the new teams, PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle, at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. The reigning champions, Minnesota Frost, will also hit the ice on the same night against the Toronto Sceptres. The league has increased the number of games to 120 for this season, with each team scheduled to play 30 games, ensuring more head-to-head matchups.
Excitement is building as the league anticipates the debut of the expansion teams and the growth of the PWHL community to the west coast. Jayna Hefford, the executive vice-president of hockey operations for PWHL, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, emphasizing the impact of new and returning players and the extended game schedule for fans to enjoy.
The league’s opening weekend will see all eight teams in action, with matchups like Ottawa Charge versus New York Sirens and Montreal Victoire against Boston Fleet. Plans for broadcasting the games are yet to be disclosed, along with details on games hosted outside of the teams’ home venues as part of the Takeover Tour.
The rosters of existing teams have undergone changes, with star players moving to the new Vancouver and Seattle teams. Notably, the New York Sirens have revamped their lineup around young talents like Sarah Fillier, Kristýna Kaltounková, and Casey O’Brien following significant player departures in the off-season.
As the league heads into its first season with an Olympic break, PWHL will play a crucial role in shaping the Canadian Olympic team. The season will pause for international training and Olympic competitions, with games set to resume post-Olympics. The league’s Canadian home openers are scheduled across various venues, offering fans an exciting start to the season.
