What’s Next for the PWHL? Breaking Down Season Two of Women’s Hockey’s Rising Star
First, let’s get the bad news out of the way.
The all-time attendance record for a women’s hockey game — set on April 21, 2024, when 21,105 fans packed the Bell Centre in Montreal to watch a Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) game between Toronto and Montreal — is unlikely to be broken this season. Why? Simply put, there’s no bigger indoor venue in North America to host such a crowd.
“The 21,000 in Bell Centre will not be broken until we do an outdoor game,” said Amy Scheer, senior vice president of business operations for the PWHL. “Because that is the largest venue in North America.”
But here’s the twist: this “bad news” is actually a testament to the league’s success. The PWHL, which had one of the most impressive opening season launches in recent sports history, even earning the “Breakthrough of the Year” award from Sports Business Journal, has already maxed out the capacity of indoor hockey venues. That’s a good problem to have.
While outdoor games aren’t on the schedule for this season, the league is taking its show on the road with the “Takeover Tour.” This initiative will feature nine neutral-site regular-season games across the U.S. and Canada, including stops in Raleigh, Buffalo, Detroit, and three Canadian cities without PWHL teams. The goal? To introduce more fans to the league and test potential markets for future expansion.
“We’re only in six markets, and we need to continue to build our audience. We need to have people watch our product live,” Scheer explained during an interview in Toronto, where the league has been growing at a breakneck pace. “There’s a wide swath of fans that are watching and engaging with our sport.”
Building on last year’s momentum is the focus for the PWHL’s second season. The league has expanded to a 30-game regular season among its six teams and welcomed an influx of international talent, which promises to elevate the level of play. Additionally, the league unveiled six new team names and brand identities: the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres. The rebranding has already paid off, with the week of the team name announcement marking the highest jersey sales in the league’s history, according to Scheer.
As women’s sports continue to surge in popularity, the PWHL is riding the wave. Scheer, a former New York Liberty executive, pointed to the WNBA’s unprecedented growth as a sign of what’s possible. “It is beyond exciting for me… there’s definitely a tailwind that I think we’re all riding, and it’s important to be ready for that moment, to be ready for that tailwind and to ride it for as long as you can.”
So, what can fans expect on the ice this season? Let’s break it down team by team:
Boston Fleet
2023-24 record: 8-4-3-9 (3rd place)
The Boston Fleet, who play their home games in Lowell, Massachusetts, finished third in the standings last season and made it to the finals after defeating Montreal in the playoffs. However, they fell to Minnesota in five games in the Walter Cup Finals.
Led by U.S. women’s national team stars Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, and goalie Aerin Frankel, Boston is looking to improve its offensive output after scoring just 60 goals last season, the fewest in the league.
“This season, Boston fans can look forward to an exciting and dynamic brand of hockey,” said Fleet GM Danielle Marmer. “The rule change from last year, encouraging a more physical game, is not just something we’ve adapted to — it has become part of our identity, representing what it means to play Fleet hockey.”
Minnesota Frost
2023-24 record: 8-4-3-9 (4th place)
The reigning Walter Cup champions, the Minnesota Frost, are entering the season with a new GM, Melissa Caruso, after parting ways with Natalie Darwitz. The team is anchored by Kendall Coyne Schofield, captain of the U.S. women’s national team.
“We’ve got to be ready to compete,” said head coach Ken Klee. “We know every game is going to be tight, and we’re excited about it.”
Montreal Victoire
2023-24 record: 10-3-5-6 (2nd place)
Montreal, led by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, is adapting to new league rules like the “No Escape Rule” for penalty kills. GM Danièle Sauvageau is optimistic about the season, citing the influx of new talent and growing fan interest.
New York Sirens
2023-24 record: 5-4-3-12 (6th place)
After finishing last in the standings, the Sirens are looking to turn things around with first overall draft pick Sarah Fillier, a Canadian national team forward. GM Pascal Daoust emphasized the team’s focus on puck possession and physicality.
Ottawa Charge
2023-24 record: 8-1-6-9 (5th place)
Ottawa is aiming to be tougher on the ice this season, with head coach Carla MacLeod emphasizing competition and grit. The team features rookies Danielle Serdachny and Stephanie Markowski, childhood best friends who bring a unique chemistry to the squad.
Toronto Sceptres
2023-24 record: 13-4-0-7 (1st place)
Toronto, last season’s regular-season champion, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing playoff exit. With a roster stacked with Canadian national team stars, GM Gina Kingsburg expects the Sceptres to be one of the league’s toughest teams.
As the PWHL enters its second season, the league is poised for even greater success. With expanded schedules, new talent, and a growing fan base, women’s hockey is on the rise — and the PWHL is leading the charge.
Originally Written by: Kristen Shilton
