The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is experiencing a significant surge in both attendance and scoring, midway through its second season. With this momentum, the six-team league is contemplating expansion, potentially adding up to two new franchises for next year.
Amy Scheer, the executive vice president of business operations, expressed her excitement about the league’s progress. During a recent media call, she noted, “Fourteen months in, it’s an exciting time for us and we certainly haven’t slowed down. I think we’ve proven over the last year and a half that we’ve got staying power, and now we’re a solid part of the hockey community.” An official decision regarding the expansion is expected by early April, although Scheer has not disclosed which locations are under consideration or how many teams will ultimately be added.
Speculation surrounds Detroit as a potential new addition to the league. Other cities like Seattle, Denver, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Quebec City have impressed with strong attendance during the Takeover Tour’s neutral site games this year.
The PWHL has seen a significant increase in turnout, with average game attendance climbing to 7,365 fans from last season’s 5,500 average. The league has attracted a total of 925,406 fans so far this season, and there’s optimism about reaching the one million mark soon. This uptick is largely attributed to the success of the Takeover Tour, which has drawn large crowds, including a record 19,038 attendees in Vancouver, marking the fourth-largest turnout in league history.
The Toronto Sceptres have also contributed to rising attendance figures by relocating to the 7,800-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, compared to their previous 2,500-seat venue. Meanwhile, the New York Sirens have gained a slight advantage by settling into New Jersey’s Prudential Center. This follows their previous season spent transitioning among three different venues. Their current average attendance is 2,648 per game, slightly higher than last season’s average.
The league is also seeing an increase in goals scored, with current games averaging 5.18 goals compared to last year’s 4.8. This increase is largely driven by a boost in power-play goals, with teams scoring 70 goals in 60 games this season. A new “no-escape” rule, which prevents teams from changing lines after a penalized faceoff, has contributed to this surge. According to Jayna Hefford, the EVP of hockey operations, “The game is faster, more skilled and it’s more physical, and we try to find ways to create a product that makes the game more entertaining.”
This season’s playoff race is stirring excitement, though it remains to be seen if it will match the drama of last year when Minnesota clinched the final postseason spot on the season’s last day. Currently, Montreal, Toronto, Boston, and Minnesota occupy the top four spots, with Ottawa trailing in fifth and New York again struggling in last place amid a rough season.
New York Sirens forward Eldridge expressed the team’s frustration following a close shootout loss to Boston, stating all team members remain united despite the challenges. New York’s secondary scoring remains a concern, with Eldridge and top draft pick Sarah Fillier among the few consistently contributing to their total 47 goals.
On the individual front, Toronto’s Hannah Miller leads the league in points, riding high on a recent spree where she notched 14 points, including six goals, over eight games. She stands as the third player in the PWHL to achieve a four-point game this season. Her current performance has already exceeded last season’s totals, aided by the return of Natalie Spooner, 2024 PWHL MVP, though offset by the loss of Sarah Nurse due to injury. Toronto recently experienced their first loss in a nine-game unbeaten run with a 3-1 defeat against Montreal.
The Boston Fleet, humorously dubbing themselves the “Bad Girls” after an encounter with WNBA star Sue Bird in Seattle, continue their strong season. Boston remains undefeated in shootouts, showcasing impressive performances from goalie Aerin Frankel.
