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The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is set to commence its third season on November 21, featuring a significant expansion with the addition of two new teams. This development increases the league’s roster from six to eight teams and paves the way for an exciting season ahead.
On opening night, fans can expect a historic matchup. The newly formed PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle will debut at 10 p.m. ET in the Pacific Coliseum, which becomes the first venue to host a PWHL franchise as its main tenant.
Earlier that day, the reigning champions, the Minnesota Frost, will face the Toronto Sceptres at 7 p.m. ET, aiming for their third consecutive Walter Cup victory.
Expansion and increased gameplay
This season, the PWHL will feature a total of 120 games, an increase from last year’s 90 and the 72 games in the inaugural season.
Each team is scheduled to participate in 30 games, ensuring every franchise competes against each other at least four times, which will foster intense rivalries and a competitive atmosphere throughout the league.
Jayna Hefford, the league’s executive vice-president of hockey operations, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season.
She stated, “Season three will be truly special with the highly anticipated debut of our first expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver and the growth of the PWHL community to the west coast. We can’t wait for puck drop to see the impact our new and returning players will make, and to deliver a competitive season with even more games for fans to enjoy.”
Opening weekend matchups
The opening weekend will feature all eight teams in action. On Saturday, the Ottawa Charge will face the New York Sirens at 7 p.m. ET, while on Sunday, the Montreal Victoire will take on the Boston Fleet at 1 p.m.
ET. However, the league has yet to announce its broadcasting plans for the season.
Additional details regarding games held outside of home venues will be provided soon. The previous season saw the league tour nine cities, and this initiative will continue in the current season as part of their Takeover Tour.
New teams and player dynamics
The debut of the Vancouver and Seattle teams is particularly noteworthy as they were constructed from the ground up during the expansion process earlier this spring. Vancouver’s roster appears strong, especially on defense, featuring three players—Sophie Jaques, Claire Thompson, and Mellissa Channell-Watkins—who were part of the championship-winning Minnesota Frost last season.
In a local touch, the team includes at least two players from the region: Hannah Miller from North Vancouver and Jennifer Gardiner from Surrey, B.C. Gardiner shared her excitement, stating, “It’s truly special to be starting our season at home in the Pacific Coliseum. As a little girl, I dreamed of this moment, and I can’t wait to live it with my teammates and the fans on November 21.”
Changes across existing teams
The expansion has significantly reshaped the landscape for several existing teams, with numerous top players transferring to the new franchises. For example, both Toronto and Montreal have lost their top three draft picks from the upcoming 2024 draft due to the expansion process.
However, the New York Sirens will experience the most noticeable transformation. Following a combination of the expansion draft and significant trades, the Sirens have parted ways with four of their five leading scorers from the previous season, including starting goaltender Corinne Schroeder.
On opening night, fans can expect a historic matchup. The newly formed PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle will debut at 10 p.m. ET in the Pacific Coliseum, which becomes the first venue to host a PWHL franchise as its main tenant. Earlier that day, the reigning champions, the Minnesota Frost, will face the Toronto Sceptres at 7 p.m. ET, aiming for their third consecutive Walter Cup victory.0
International events and the Olympic break
On opening night, fans can expect a historic matchup. The newly formed PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle will debut at 10 p.m. ET in the Pacific Coliseum, which becomes the first venue to host a PWHL franchise as its main tenant. Earlier that day, the reigning champions, the Minnesota Frost, will face the Toronto Sceptres at 7 p.m. ET, aiming for their third consecutive Walter Cup victory.1
On opening night, fans can expect a historic matchup. The newly formed PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle will debut at 10 p.m. ET in the Pacific Coliseum, which becomes the first venue to host a PWHL franchise as its main tenant. Earlier that day, the reigning champions, the Minnesota Frost, will face the Toronto Sceptres at 7 p.m. ET, aiming for their third consecutive Walter Cup victory.2
