Branding, venues, rule changes: 5 things to follow ahead of the PWHL’s new campaign

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) made a splash last year when it launched its inaugural season. Led by former player and commissioner Jayna Hefford, the league exceeded expectations in terms of merchandise sales and attendance. A record-breaking crowd of over 21,000 fans sold out the Bell Centre in Montreal in just minutes, showcasing the strong support for women’s hockey.

As the league gears up for its second season, the focus is on sustaining and growing that momentum. With an expanded season and bigger venues, including games in NHL arenas and a “PWHL Takeover Tour” across North America, the league aims to attract more fans and build a steady fan base in American markets like New York.

One of the key changes for the upcoming season is the new branding for each team, including names, logos, and jerseys. The league has also secured broadcasting deals with CBC, TSN, and Amazon Prime to make all 90 regular-season games accessible to fans in Canada.

In terms of player talent, the New York Sirens made a splash by selecting Sarah Fillier as the first overall pick in the draft. Fillier, a standout on the Canadian national team, is expected to be a star in the league. Other newcomers to watch include Ottawa’s Danielle Serdachny and Boston’s Hannah Bilka, adding depth and skill to their respective teams.

The league has also introduced new rule changes for the upcoming season, including the “jailbreak” and “no escape” rules to increase scoring and give advantages to teams on the power play. Clarity around bodychecking has also been emphasized to ensure player safety.

Finally, the Minnesota Frost enter the season as defending Walter Cup champions, led by playoff MVP Taylor Heise. The Boston Fleet, who fell just short last season, will be looking for redemption with a chip on their shoulder.

Overall, the PWHL’s second season promises to be an exciting one, with new branding, rule changes, and fresh faces adding to the growing success of the league. Fans can expect high-quality hockey and intense competition as the teams battle for the championship title.