News and Notes From The PWHL Rink

In its landmark second season, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) continued its upward trajectory, breaking all-time attendance records in women’s professional hockey and marking a series of historic firsts — from the introduction of the league’s inaugural PWHL Takeover Tour™ and the addition of two new expansion teams, continuing to push the sport forward to unprecedented heights. Beyond the numbers, the league strengthened its roots in communities through its Unity Games, grassroots programming, and fan-first experiences.

“In our second season, fans from every U.S. state, and every Canadian province and territory caught a PWHL game – a remarkable moment for professional women’s hockey,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “The growth across our business, from attendance to merchandise sales to partnerships, continues to redefine what’s possible for our game and our league. With games played in 25 venues since the PWHL’s inception, we’ve expanded access to see the best women’s hockey players in the world live, bringing the action into an ever-growing number of communities across North America.”

“Season Two has been nothing short of historic for the PWHL, with so many exciting firsts and monumental milestones - from our inaugural Takeover Tour to the announcement of our new expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “We’ve seen incredible on-ice performances from the best women’s hockey players in the world, and we’re just getting started. The growth and energy around the league are undeniable, and the future of women’s hockey has never been brighter.”

Attendance

• In 2024-25, the PWHL drew a total of 737,455 fans across 102 games (regular season + playoffs) - up 52.5% from last season’s 483,530 (72 regular season and 13 playoff games).

• Overall average attendance increased 27% from Season One, rising from 5,689 to 7,230 per game.

• With 1,220,985 fans attending games across the league’s first two seasons, the PWHL’s momentum continues to build.

Merchandise Sales

• Sales of PWHL gear doubled season over season, reflecting 100% growth across the league.

• The increase was sparked by the unveiling of team names and logos ahead of Season Two, new collections to support Unity Games, and new collections with Barbie and Peace Collective, and lululemon.

Partnerships

• The league and team partnership portfolio grew by 50% season over season, with notable additions including Ally, Bravado, EA Sports, Factor Meals, Intact Insurance, Midea and SharkNinja.

Social / Digital Engagement

• Engagement across PWHL League and Team social media platforms (X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube) increased by 68% over Season One content.

• Viewers tuned in to watch live PWHL games from 106 different countries, up from 88 during the inaugural season.

• The league’s re-designed website at thepwhl.com had more than 20 million views from users spanning over 150 countries around the world.

PWHL Takeover Tour

• The inaugural PWHL Takeover Tour featured nine neutral-site regular-season games, drawing a total of 123,601 fans.

• The Vancouver game drew a sold-out crowd of 19,038 at Rogers Arena - 4th-highest single-game attendance in PWHL history.

• The Detroit game set a U.S. attendance record with 14,288 fans at Little Caesars Arena and marked the moment the league surpassed its one millionth fan.

Unity Games

• The PWHL introduced its Unity Games series celebrating Black History Month, Women’s Empowerment Month, Pride, Indigenous Heritage, Mental Health Awareness, and Community Hockey Heroes.

• Unity Game artwork was designed by community artists and activations included special programming, in-game tributes, and partnerships with local and national organizations.

Grassroots Hockey

• The PWHL hosted its inaugural Fantasy Camp in January in Toronto, an immersive event offering adult fans the unique opportunity to step into the life of a PWHL athlete.

• The PWHL Breakthrough Cup powered by PLAY Hockey, was the league’s first girls hockey tournament held in April in Minnesota, bringing together teams of all ages and skill levels to pave the pathway to women's professional hockey.

• The PWHL's "Ready, Set, Skate" program was introduced to give beginners an unforgettable first hockey experience - full of fun, learning, and excitement.

PWHL Media House

• PWHL Media House was introduced to expand the conversation and content around women’s hockey and highlight women’s hockey players of all generations like never before.

• The PWHL acquired the Jocks in Jills podcast, hosted by Tessa Bonhomme and Julia Tocheri, which is playing a key role in the growth of the new media venture with an audience in over 100 countries and expanded coverage that featured live post-game shows during the playoffs.

Looking Ahead to Season Three

• Beyond attendance records, the league celebrated the announcement of two new expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver for the 2025-26 season.

• Since both April announcements, fans in both cities have shown remarkable enthusiasm, placing more than 10,000 combined Season Ticket Member deposits. This early momentum signals a strong appetite for the PWHL’s West Coast expansion and sets the stage for excitement ahead of Season Three.

PWHL Announces Three Finalist for Rookie of the Year

SARAH FILLIER, NEW YORK SIRENS

Fillier was selected first overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft and seamlessly elevated her game at the professional level, setting rookie records in all offensive categories. The Princeton University graduate tied for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games – a total ten points higher than any rookie in PWHL history. Her 13 goals ranked fourth among all skaters and included a league-high five power play goals, while her 16 assists tied for most all-time in a PWHL season and featured 12 helpers at even strength. The 24-year-old from Georgetown, ON, is the only PWHL player to score in five consecutive games and to record multiple four-game assist streaks – one of which she compiled in her first four games with the Sirens.

JENNIFER GARDINER, MONTRÉAL VICTOIRE

Gardiner asserted herself as one of the league’s emerging young talents by stepping into the Victoire lineup and contributing to the team’s first-place success. Selected in the second round, 11th overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft, the Ohio State University graduate finished second among rookies with 18 points in 30 games, including five goals, which tied for fourth in her draft class, and 13 assists that ranked second. She found chemistry with the league’s top goal scorer Marie-Philip Poulin, setting up six of her captain’s goals to tie for second-most assists by a teammate across the PWHL. Among rookies, the 23-year-old from Surrey, BC, tied Fillier for the second highest plus-minus rating (+10), ranked fourth in power play points (6), and third in shots on goal (55).

GWYNETH PHILIPS, OTTAWA CHARGE

Philips is the first goaltender to be voted a finalist for the award following the most impactful season by a rookie at the position in league history. The third-round pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft from Northeastern University led all rookie netminders in games (15), wins (8), shutouts (2), goals-against-average (2.11) and save percentage (.919). Among all goaltenders, she was one of only three with multiple shutouts (2), while her GAA ranked third among starters, and her SV% tied for third best. The 24-year-old from Athens, OH, made PWHL history as the first rookie to record a shutout (Jan. 21), achieving the milestone in just her third career start. The netminder capped off her impressive campaign by backstopping the Charge in their final eight games of the regular season to help secure the team’s first-ever playoff berth.

A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including Rookie of the Year, along with the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams and an All-Rookie Team, between the conclusion of regular season and the commencement of playoffs. The three players that received the most voting points for Rookie of the Year have been named finalists. Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.

Last season, Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle was the inaugural recipient of the Rookie of the Year award, voted over finalists Emma Maltais of Toronto and Alina Müller of Boston.

Three Finalist Named For the Billie Jean King MVP Award

RENATA FAST, TORONTO SCEPTRES

Fast is the first defender to be voted a finalist for the award, recognizing her contributions at both ends of the ice for the second-place Sceptres. No player spent more time on the ice this season than Fast with a league leading 739:45 and an average of 24:39 per game. The alternate captain recorded multiple hits and blocked multiple shots in 12 games this season, five more than any other player, and was the first player to rank in the top three in both categories. She scored six goals and was one of only two skaters to produce a record 16 assists, finishing tied for first at her position and eighth overall with 22 points in 30 games. The 30-year-old from Burlington, ON, was the only defender with three game-winning goals, a six-game point streak, and tied for the league lead with four multi-assist games. Her 13 power play points tied for the most in PWHL history and included a record 11 assists to help Toronto reach a league-high 24.4% power play success rate.

HILARY KNIGHT, BOSTON FLEET

Knight’s consideration for the award follows a campaign where she tied for the PWHL scoring lead with 29 points in 30 games and became one of two players to lead their team outright in goals (15) and assists (14) within a single season. The Fleet captain led all forwards in time on ice (666:26) and set new benchmarks for offensive production as the first player to record at least 15 goals and 10 assists in a season, all while showing a league-high 18-point improvement from Season One. Knight tied for third with seven multi-point performances, tied for second with three multi-goal games, and her six games with at least one goal and one assist tied for most in the PWHL. The 35-year-old from Sun Valley, ID, had the most dominant five-game stretch in the league this season with 11 points (7G, 4A) from Mar. 5-26, beginning with a hat-trick as part of a record-tying four-point game. The performance contributed to Boston’s first nine-game point streak in team history.

MARIE-PHILIP POULIN, MONTRÉAL VICTOIRE

Poulin becomes the first two-time finalist for the award after leading the PWHL in goals and helping the Victoire capture first place for the first time in team history. Overall, the captain scored 19 times with seven assists to rank fourth with 26 points in 30 games. She accounted for 25.7% of Montréal’s goals this season, representing the highest share of a team’s offense by any PWHL player. Poulin never went more than two games without a point or three games without a goal. Her team posted a 10-4-0-4 record (.704) when she recorded a point, compared to 2-3-3-4 (.417) without. The 34-year-old from Beauceville, QC, scored a record six game-winning goals and led the league with five multi-goal games that included the first hat-trick of the season. She set new standards with a record plus-minus rating (+17), most shootout goals (5), faceoff attempts (669), faceoff wins (403), and her talent was recognized a league-high 12 times as one of the game’s three stars.

A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including the Billie Jean King MVP award, along with the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams and an All-Rookie Team, between the conclusion of the regular season and the commencement of playoffs. The three players that received the most voting points for the Billie Jean King MVP award have been named finalists. Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.

Last season, Toronto’s Natalie Spooner was the inaugural recipient of the Billie Jean King MVP award, voted over finalists Poulin and New York’s Alex Carpenter.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced that Renata Fast of the Toronto Sceptres, Sophie Jaques of the Minnesota Frost, and Claire Thompson of the Minnesota Frost have been voted as the three finalists for the 2025 PWHL Defender of the Year award.

The PWHL Defender of the Year award is presented to the defender who showcases the most outstanding ability at the position throughout the regular season.

RENATA FAST, TORONTO SCEPTRES

Fast impacted the game at both ends of the ice with her offense, physicality and stability. She tied Jaques for first in scoring among defenders with 22 points in 30 games, led the league with 63 hits, and led all PWHL skaters in time on ice at 739:45 and an average of 24:39 per game. The Sceptres alternate captain became the first defender and one of only two skaters to record 16 assists in a season, including a record 11 power play helpers. Her two power play goals also contributed to a share of a league-high 13 points on the advantage. Fast’s six goals ranked third in her position and led all rearguards with three game-winning tallies— she was the only defender to score more than one game-winner. The 30-year-old from Burlington, ON, exploded out of the gate with a six-game point streak to open her second season – the longest point streak by a defender in 2024-25.

SOPHIE JAQUES, MINNESOTA FROST

Jaques’ offensive potential came to fruition in her second professional season, going from 10 points in 22 games as a PWHL rookie, to 22 points in 25 games as a fixture on the Frost blue line. Her 22 points tied Fast for the overall lead among defenders, while her 0.88 points-per-game rate led the position and ranked fourth among all active skaters. The 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award recipient led all rearguards with six multi-point performances and 75 shots on goal. She finished second among defenders and tied for third overall with 15 assists, which included a league-high 13 assists on even strength goals. Jaques ranked second in goals from the blue line with seven, including one on the power play, and was one of two defenders to score a shorthanded goal. The plus-12 rating by the 24-year-old from Toronto, ON, ranked second among defenders and tied for fourth in the PWHL.

CLAIRE THOMPSON, MINNESOTA FROST

Thompson made an immediate impact in her first PWHL season, most impressively after spending a year away from hockey to focus on her medical studies. The third overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft finished third in points among defenders with 18 in 30 games, joining Jaques on a Frost blue line that led the PWHL with 63 points. She scored four goals and added 14 assists, which ranked third at the position and included a league-high 11 primary helpers. Thompson was the only defender to record a five-game assist streak this season, tied for first with five assists on game-opening goals and tied Jaques in setting up nine different teammates for goals this season. The 27-year-old from Toronto, ON, was the first of four players, and only defender, to deliver a record-tying four-point performance with a goal and three assists on Dec. 19 in just her fourth PWHL game.

A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including Defender of the Year, along with the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams and an All-Rookie Team, between the conclusion of regular season and the commencement of playoffs. The three players that received the most voting points for Defender of the Year have been named finalists. Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.

Last season, Montréal’s Erin Ambrose was the inaugural recipient of the Defender of the Year award, voted over finalists Megan Keller of Boston and Ella Shelton of New York.

PWHL Annouces Three Finalist for Coach of the Year

The PWHL Coach of the Year award is presented to the head coach whose contributions most impacted their team’s on-ice success throughout the regular season.

KORI CHEVERIE, MONTRÉAL VICTOIRE

Cheverie, a native of New Glasgow, NS, is a finalist for the award a second straight season after guiding Montréal to first place in the PWHL standings for the first time in team history with 53 points, powered by a 12-7-3-8 record. The Victoire held their first-place position since Jan. 29 with an offense that scored the second-most goals (77) and allowed the fewest (67) in the PWHL. They were the only team in the league to produce both a six-game winning streak (Jan. 17 to Feb. 15) and a four-game winning streak (Dec. 6 to Dec. 30). They led all teams with a .556 road record, tied for top marks on home ice at .622, and led the league with 12 one-goal wins which included a league-high seven beyond regulation. Montréal was the only team to lose no more than two straight games in regulation and no team had fewer than their five multi-goal losses.

CARLA MACLEOD, OTTAWA CHARGE

MacLeod, from Spruce Grove, AB, led Ottawa to their first-ever berth in the PWHL Playoffs, posting a 12-4-2-12 record for 44 points and a third-place finish solidified with an overtime victory on the final day of the regular season. The Charge’s 12 regulation wins tied for most in the league and is four more than their inaugural season total, representing the largest improvement year-over-year and achieved with a squad that boasted only two players among the league’s top 20 scorers. They were the only team to have two three-game winning streaks in regulation, and their four-game win streak on the road to close the season was the longest in the PWHL. Ottawa tied for first in game-opening goals (18), had the highest percentage of points by defenders (29.3%), tied for second in percentage of goals scored at even strength (78.9%), and scored a record four shorthanded goals.

TROY RYAN, TORONTO SCEPTRES

Ryan, who hails from Spryfield, NS, could become the league’s first two-time award recipient after helping Toronto secure a second straight top two finish with 48 points on a 12-3-6-9 record. The Sceptres tied for the league’s best home record, tied for the lead with nine multi-goal wins, shared the league’s longest win streak at six games (Feb. 1 to Feb. 23) and longest point streak at nine games (Jan. 25 to Feb. 23). The point streak propelled Toronto from last place to just two points out of first and coincided with a record nine straight games with a power play goal. Overall, Toronto’s special teams’ efficiency was a difference maker with a league-best power play unit (25.8%) that was seven percent better than the next ranked team, and a penalty kill that finished third (82.1%). The Sceptres were the only team not to concede a shorthanded goal.

A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including Coach of the Year, along with the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams and an All-Rookie Team, between the conclusion of regular season and the commencement of playoffs. The three coaches that received the most voting points for Coach of the Year have been named finalists. Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.

Last season, Ryan was the inaugural recipient of the Coach of the Year award, voted over finalists Cheverie and Boston’s Courtney Kessel.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced that Ann-Renée Desbiens of the Montréal Victoire, Aerin Frankel of the Boston Fleet, and Gwyneth Philips of the Ottawa Charge have been voted as the three finalists for the 2025 PWHL Goaltender of the Year award, presented by Rogers.

The PWHL Goaltender of the Year award is presented by Rogers to the goaltender who showcases the most outstanding ability at the position throughout the regular season.

ANN-RENÉE DESBIENS, MONTRÉAL VICTOIRE

Desbiens was the backbone between the pipes for the first-place Victoire and a significant contributor to her team’s success. She led all goaltenders with 15 wins and her 1.86 goals-against average and .932 save percentage were top marks among all starters. Of her four losses, only two were in regulation – the fewest among starting netminders. Desbiens was the only goaltender to win six straight games this season and achieved the feat during a record stretch of 14 straight starts allowing two or fewer goals. The 31-year-old from Clermont, QC, ranked third with 518 saves, and was one of only two goaltenders to post a 40-save performance. Her 21 appearances and 1228:17 minutes trailed only Frankel, even despite an injury that kept Desbiens inactive for three games.

AERIN FRANKEL, BOSTON FLEET

Frankel becomes the first two-time finalist for the award in a season where she was a fixture in goal for the Fleet, leading the league with 23 starts, 1342:18 minutes played, and making a league-high 591 saves. She finished second with 12 wins, second among starting goaltenders with a .921 save percentage, and fifth with a 2.28 goals-against average. The 25-year-old from Chappaqua, NY, led the league with five performances of 35 saves or more and put together a stretch of five consecutive wins – capped by a shutout victory on Feb. 12. Frankel also showed her poise under pressure by going a perfect 3-0 in shootouts, in which she turned aside an impressive 12-of-13 attempts for a shootout save percentage of .923.

GWYNETH PHILIPS, OTTAWA CHARGE

Philips made the most of every opportunity in the Charge crease during her first professional season. The third-round pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft was thrust into action in the thick of a playoff race and won five of her eight consecutive starts to end the season, including six with two or fewer goals allowed, helping secure the team’s first-ever postseason berth. Overall, Philips recorded eight wins in 15 appearances, tied for second with two shutouts, posted a 2.11 goals-against average that was third-best among starters, and a .919 save percentage that tied for third. The 24-year-old from Athens, OH, became the first PWHL rookie to record a shutout, doing so on Jan. 21 in just her third career start.

A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including Goaltender of the Year, presented by Rogers, along with the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams and an All-Rookie Team, between the conclusion of regular season and the commencement of playoffs. The three players that received the most voting points for Goaltender of the Year have been named finalists. Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.

Last season, Toronto’s Kristen Campbell was the inaugural recipient of the Goaltender of the Year award, presented by Rogers, voted over finalists Frankel and New York’s Corinne Schroeder.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced that Sarah Fillier of the New York Sirens, Hilary Knight of the Boston Fleet, and Marie-Philip Poulin of the Montréal Victoire have been voted as the three finalists for the 2025 PWHL Forward of the Year award.

The PWHL Forward of the Year award is presented to the forward who showcases the most outstanding ability at the position throughout the regular season.

SARAH FILLIER, NEW YORK SIRENS

Fillier made an immediate impact with the Sirens after being selected first overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft, tying Knight for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games. Her 16 assists shared the league lead and were most by a forward, including 12 at even strength, while her 13 goals ranked fourth on the scoring chart and included a league-leading five on the power play. She is the only player in PWHL history to score in five consecutive games, a streak produced from Feb. 23 to Mar. 16, contributing to one of her two six-game point streaks. The 24-year-old from Georgetown, ON, is also the only player to record multiple four-game assist streaks all-time. Fillier averaged 2.95 points and 1.63 assists per 60 minutes in her first professional season, ranking first and second in the league, respectively (minimum 100 minutes played).

HILARY KNIGHT, BOSTON FLEET

Knight showed the largest offensive improvement from the PWHL’s inaugural season, going from 11 points in 24 games to 29 points in 30 games, standing alongside Fillier atop the overall leaderboard. The Fleet captain’s 15 goals included four on the power play, good for a second-place tie in both categories, while her 14 assists tied for sixth and included 10 primary helpers which tied for second across the league. She tied for third in the league with seven multi-point performances and tied for second with three multi-goal games. The most memorable of which was on Mar. 5 when the 35-year-old from Sun Valley, ID, became the first player in PWHL history to score a hat-trick as part of a record-tying four-point game. Knight led all forwards in time on ice at 666:26 and finished second overall with 111 shots – one behind the leader.

MARIE-PHILIP POULIN, MONTRÉAL VICTOIRE

Poulin becomes the first two-time finalist for the award, following a campaign where she led the PWHL in goals with 19, and added seven assists to finish fourth in points with 26 in 30 games. The Victoire captain’s scoring prowess was evident across a league-high five multi-goal games, including one hat-trick, and featured a record six game-winning goals. Of her 19 goals, 15 were produced at even strength with three on the power play and one shorthanded. The 34-year-old from Beauceville, QC, set a PWHL record for the fastest goal scored just 11 seconds into action on May 3, and her 10 goals in the second period were the most goals scored in any single period by any player this season. Poulin set new standards with a record plus-minus rating (+17), most shootout goals (5), and in the faceoff circle in both attempts (669) and wins (403).

A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including Forward of the Year, along with the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams and an All-Rookie Team, between the conclusion of regular season and the commencement of playoffs. The three players that received the most voting points for Forward of the Year have been named finalists. Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.

Last season, Toronto’s Natalie Spooner was the inaugural recipient of the Forward of the Year award, voted over finalists Poulin and New York’s Alex Carpenter.

PWHL Takeover Tour Results

Behind the number in the PWHL successful Takeover Tour

Nine Cities That Hosted

the TakeoverTour

Six U.S. Citeis hosted 3 cities from Canada hosted the Takeover Tour

Behind the Numbers

• 123,601 fans attended the nine Takeover Tour stops.

• Two attendance records were set for professional women’s hockey in the U.S.: 14,018 fans in Denver, then broken by 14,288 fans in Detroit.

• Five of the nine games are among the top 10 single-game attendance figures in PWHL history, including the sold-out crowd of 19,038 in Vancouver that ranks fourth all-time.

• Up to 78% of attendees were visiting the host venue for the first time.

• An estimated 80% of Takeover Tour attendees experienced their first-ever PWHL game.

• Fans from all 50 U.S. states and all 13 Canadian provinces and territories attended various games on the Tour.

• 27 points were awarded in the standings across the nine games with six regulation wins, two shootout results, and one overtime decision.

• 30 different PWHL players scored 41 goals, with five of the nine games decided by one goal.

• 1,800 Takeover Tour pucks were produced for warmups and game action.

• Players fueled up with 648 Uncrustables (a player favorite), 864 applesauce pouches (a go-to for players between periods), 1,080 packs of gummy snacks, and 1,296 bottles of Gatorade (Cool Blue was the most popular flavor).

• 945 girls' hockey players participated in clinics and meet-and-greets with PWHL athletes across all nine stops.

• More than 1,400 fans collected autographs from PWHL players during post-game signings, youth clinics, open practices, and community events.

• Over 16,000 pieces of PWHL gear, including jerseys, hoodies, crews, tees, hats and pucks, were purchased by fans in-venue.

• Social media engagement soared leading to a 30% increase in league-wide followers during the Tour window.

PWHL Takeover Tour Concludes as a Huge Success

by George D'Alessandro

The PWHL Takeover Tour has been a huge success this season. The PWHL played at nine neutral sites drawing in 123,601 in total fans. During the PWHL Takeover Tour the PWHL reached the 1,000,000 fan mark in only their second season.

The attendance at Takeover Tour” saw the fans from. Vancouver draw the most fans when the PWHL came to town when 19,038 fans passed by the turnstile next in attendance was Quebec City 18,259, third was Edmonton 17,518 the largest drawing in the U.S. was Detroit which saw 14,288 enter the stadium to witness top notch women’s professional Hockey.

With attendance so high will the PWHL seek to expand from their current six teams (Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto) to eight? If so, where will they expand to? Out west to Vancouver and Seattle who was also part of the Takeover Tour where they drew 12,608 fans to create a rivalry between cities? Will New York keep a team? their attendance this year is 32,196 an averaged 2,683 this year, last year they averaged 2,542 between the three arenas they play (UBS Arena, Total Mortgage Areana and Prudential this years home ice rink) could they relocate to either Detroit (14,287) or Quebec (18,259)

I do not see Edmonton and Vancouver both gaining entry to the PWHL. I think the PWHL would like to continue an equal number of teams located in both Canada and the U.S.

Seattle does not have a pro basketball or hockey team which is when the PWHL season is in session. Vancouver does not have football, basketball or baseball, yes they do have hockey and would be playing the same time the Canucks do, however I feel the PWHL would be successful based on the turnout during the Takeover Tour. Plus Seattle and Vancouver are geographically near (only a three and half hour drive) which sets up a rivalry between both.

My prediction if the PWHL expands is that Seattle and Vancouver acquire new expansion teams, while the New York franchise relocates to Detroit.

PWHL Releases Logos for Teams

Boston Fleet – ‘Fleet’ pays homage to Boston’s collective spirit and rich maritime history, representing the city’s unified strength and resilience. The logo combines the iconic letter ‘B’ in the team’s primary deep green color with an anchor, symbolizing Boston's identity and nautical heritage. The forward-leaning shape communicates momentum, reflecting the city's sporting legacy and the team's advancement on the ice.

Minnesota Frost - ‘Frost’ embodies the State of Hockey’s deep-rooted love for the ice— and the sport that has become a timeless tradition, bridging generations. The logo features a stylized letter ‘F’ in the team’s core purple with angular edges and sharp points, reminiscent of icicles, while the overall design conveys a sense of competitive intensity and fierceness.

Montréal Victoire - ‘Victoire’ embodies Montréal’s joyously competitive spirit, acting as inspiration for the city to climb to even greater sporting heights. Win or lose, ‘Victoire’ is a mindset, celebrating the city’s pursuit of achievement. The logo features wing-like shapes in the team’s signature deep burgundy color, subtly alluding to the Goddess of Victory and symbolizing strength and agility. A hidden ‘M’ within the wings pays homage to Greater Montréal. Additionally, a fleur-de-lis, a national symbol of Québec, is gracefully integrated and evokes the rich cultural history of the province and the city.

New York Sirens – ‘Sirens’ is an ode to New York City’s one-of-a-kind energy, pace and rhythm – embodying the City’s sounds and people. Sirens also speaks to the sweet sound of the goal horn after the puck goes into the net. The logo, dominated by the team’s vibrant teal, reflects the intensity of New York and evokes the gritty cityscape. The reverberating ‘S’ visually mimics sound waves, and the angular design of the 'NY' pays homage to New York's iconic architecture.

Ottawa Charge - ‘Charge’ pays tribute to Ottawa itself: from the city’s motto “Advance – Ottawa – En Avant”, nodding to its constant state of dynamic growth and forward progress as Canada’s Capital City. The logo, leading with the team’s core color red, features a monogram ‘O’ designed to convey a sense of energy and movement, signifying the team’s electrifying presence on the ice. The ‘O’ is crafted to resemble a spinning object brimming with electrical current, representing the power that the fans bring to every game. Spikes radiating from the back of the "O" emphasize forward momentum and the spirit of the city. A faceted cut in the front of the ‘O’ introduces a slight nod to the letter ‘C’, linking the design back to the team's name, ‘Charge’.

Toronto Sceptres - The “Sceptres” embody Toronto’s regal history and commanding presence, reflected in the moniker Queen City and iconic places like Queen Street—one of the city’s most culturally vibrant thoroughfares—connecting diverse neighborhoods and showcasing Toronto’s rich heritage. The ornamented Sceptre itself is a symbol of power and strength found in courts and palaces. Today, it will be wielded on the ice by Toronto’s hockey royalty. The color palette centers around a rich royal blue. The emblem combines the initials "T" and "S" to represent Toronto Sceptres, with the addition of a sceptre motif to evoke power, reflecting the team's identity and spirit. The beveled edges add a sense of depth and solidity, enhancing its regal quality and imbuing it with a tangible, prestigious feel, evoking the team’s name and image.

“The unveiling of these new team identities marks a significant milestone for the entire PWHL community,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “Over the inaugural season, we rigorously developed the most authentic team brands for each city. The PWHL has united the professional women’s hockey community, and we are excited for these new identities to deepen the connection between the teams and their local communities. We want these to become symbols that our players and fans alike can rally behind as we move forward in this new chapter of our journey.”

“Our teams were so proud to represent their home markets last season, and as we launch Season Two, we're elevating that pride with new identities that truly embody the spirit of each club,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. “These new names and logos capture the dynamic energy of our athletes and enhance our teams' presence in their cities, building a stronger foundation for the future of our league.”

The PWHL partnered with creative agency Flower Shop to develop the new team identities, which are inspired by the fans, players, and cities in which the teams play. The process was led by PWHL Vice President of Brand and Marketing, Kanan Bhatt-Shah.

Team gear and accessories are available now at Then Official PWHL Shop. Each team's collection features the latest trending products, carefully curated based on fan feedback. This includes exclusive offerings from Royalty, the official provider of player off-ice gear, as well as a special collaboration with Peace Collective. Redesigned jerseys, created in collaboration with league partner Bauer, representing the new team identities will be unveiled closer to the start of the 2024-25 season.