On Tuesday, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) was officially announced, introducing its six inaugural franchises and a 24-game regular season set to start in January 2024. This new league will consist of three teams in the United States and three teams in Canada. In the U.S., the franchises are based in Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the New York City area, while in Canada, the franchises are located in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, Ontario. Although specific details regarding the home arenas, team names, and logos are yet to be revealed, fans eagerly anticipate their disclosure. The league is expected to announce the schedule for the 2024 season in the upcoming months, likely incorporating a break for the IIHF Women’s World Championship in April.
Player Formation and League Expansion
The formation of the inaugural season’s rosters will commence on September 1 with an initial free agency signing period. Subsequently, during the 2023 PWHL draft on September 18, the majority of the league’s founding players will be selected. Currently, the PWHL is in the final stages of securing six general managers to oversee the franchises, all of which are owned and operated by the league itself. The financial backing for this league comes from co-owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark Walter and Kimbra Walter. In a significant move, the Mark Walter Group purchased the assets of the Premier Hockey Federation PHF in June, effectively eliminating the PHF and establishing the PWHL as the sole professional women’s hockey league in North America.
The PHF, formerly known as the National Women’s Hockey League, was founded in 2015 as the first women’s professional hockey league to provide player salaries. However, following rebranding in September 2021, the PHF faced a multiyear feud with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association (PWHPA), consisting of elite players from both the U.S. and Canadian national teams. The PWHPA, unconvinced by the business models of the NWHL and the PHF, refused to join either league. Instead, the PWHPA embarked on a tour of North American arenas, engaging in USA vs. Canada exhibition games in preparation for international tournaments. Collaborating with the Mark Walter Group and Billie Jean King Enterprises, the PWHPA aimed to create a rival league to challenge the PHF. Ultimately, the disbandment of the PHF marked the end of a “one league” endeavor, giving rise to the formation of the PWHL.
The PWHL enjoys support from a board of directors consisting of notable figures such as Billie Jean King, renowned sports executive Ilana Kloss, Stan Kasten (president of the Los Angeles Dodgers), and Royce Cohen (senior VP of business strategy for the Dodgers). Additionally, Jayna Hefford, the former commissioner of the defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League, assumes the role of senior VP of hockey operations for the PWHL. Furthermore, the PWHL benefits from the involvement of seasoned NHL executive Brian Burke, who was recently dismissed as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations. Burke will contribute to the management of the PWHL Players Association.
Drafting Process and Player Eligibility
Players who wish to participate in the 2023-24 PWHL season must declare for the draft by Sunday, September 3. Prior to the draft, there will be a 10-day free agent period from September 1 to September 10, during which teams can sign up to three players each. However, it is important to note that current or graduating NCAA or collegiate program players are ineligible for this preliminary free agency period. As per the PWHL collective bargaining agreement, teams can have a maximum of 20 players signed before the training camps in November. Specifically, each team is required to sign six players to three-year contracts, ensuring each player receives a minimum of $80,000 per league year.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League unveils an exciting new chapter for women’s hockey in North America. With its six inaugural franchises, the PWHL seeks to revolutionize the sport and provide elite women athletes with a platform to showcase their skills. Backed by dedicated ownership, a strong leadership structure, and the support of influential figures, the league has the potential to captivate hockey fans across the continent. As the league progresses and details continue to unfold, anticipation builds for the start of the 2024 season and the impact it will have on women’s hockey.
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