2023-24 Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) News

[JMCx4]

Is there a game-day thread (GDT) for Toronto vs New York this afternoon?

It's all yours to start the trend ...

ETA: White Sweaters v. Blue Shirts underway @ Mattamy.

 

[Roadhog]

Ms. King is looking great for her age.
It's on both TSN and CBC here.
Not sure how I feel about Andi Petrillo hosting.
Let's go Toronto Blueblacks!!

 

[JMCx4]

Decent crowd for the Inaugural Game. "Sellout"? Must be the New Year's traffic.

 

[JMCx4]

For the record, I'm watching in the U.S. Midwest on YouTube. No webcast surprises so far.

 

[JMCx4]

Ella Shelton scores the first PWHL New York (and League) goal.

 

[Roadhog]

Decent crowd for the Inaugural Game. "Sellout"? Must be the New Year's traffic.

Sold out. I was looking right up to yesterday for any resale tickets.

 

[rielledup]

I'd like to see this league succeed because it'd be nice for women who love hockey to be able to make a living playing hockey, I just don't know how viable this is long term. Being completely honest, it feels like I'm watching a bantam game. It'll be interesting to see when all the feel good stuff dies down how many viewers/supporters stick around.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

As a dad with two girls, this is great for the generation of younger girls who love hockey and now have a professional league to aspire to.

I've been hooked watching this game, from the pre-game coverage to the game itself. Truthfully though, I figure the novelty will wear off quickly after getting caught up in the new league excitement and opening.

And I think that'll be the struggle for this league going forward. It's one thing now. It's retaining all these fans and viewers three months, three years, etc., from now.

 

[JMCx4]

Ms. King is looking great for her age. ...

Billie Jean looked old decades ago, so she got a jump on "aging gracefully."

 

[BE Friend]

Names jerseys and logos can wait. Its a single entity controlling the league. This is a good synopsis of the entire structure. I think they've done it correctly.

New level of professionalism key to launch of latest women's hockey league

New six-team loop backed by monied Mark Walter Group

calgaryherald.com

 

[JMCx4]

As a dad with two girls, this is great for the generation of younger girls who love hockey and now have a professional league to aspire to. ...

Nurture that motivation for however long it lasts, Dad.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Gonna watch the second period of the toronto match. Give it a chance.

 

[JMCx4]

Names jerseys and logos can wait. Its a single entity controlling the league. This is a good synopsis of the entire structure. I think they've done it correctly.

New level of professionalism key to launch of latest women's hockey league

New six-team loop backed by monied Mark Walter Group

calgaryherald.com

IMO, this statement sums up the disconnect between the League & the fanbase they hope to build ...
"... 'Those are things that, if we had 18 months or two years, there is no doubt we’d have those in place,' said senior vice-president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford. 'But those are not the things that are going to hold us back. Our focus has been on making sure that the professionalism exists; that what the fans see on the ice, we get all of that right. We’re happy with where we’re at. I can guarantee you we’ve got a lot of people working 24/7 and will be right up until Jan. 1.'...”

"what the fans see on the ice" are two generically labeled hockey teams playing a style of hockey unfamiliar to a very large percentage of existing hockey fans (not to mention others who are potential hockey fans). It is unfortunately reminiscent of my first tabletop ice hockey game, "red" playing "blue" with restrictions in player movement & speed & puck control. Accepting such conditions requires fans who are as patient as the PWHL leadership seem to be. I wish them luck attracting and retaining those fans.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Gonna watch the second period of the toronto match. Give it a chance

 

[JMCx4]

Just had the first video freeze of the YouTube stream. Now I feel like this is all for real.

 

[brentashton]

I'd like to see this league succeed because it'd be nice for women who love hockey to be able to make a living playing hockey, I just don't know how viable this is long term. Being completely honest, it feels like I'm watching a bantam game. It'll be interesting to see when all the feel good stuff dies down how many viewers/supporters stick around.

My daughters played AAA in western Canada. They actually played games against the Hobson and Willoughby ladies (they played out of Prince Albert).

Female hockey is not the men’s game and the size of players is different. It’s not the NHL nor should it be expected to be. But don’t underestimate the skill, speed and talent of these women. I find it a fun game to watch. I will watch as much of this league as I can. I went to the Chicago Bedards game v AZ Coyotes at Mullet arena this fall and then went to the 1st game of the Rivalry Series a few weeks later, same venue. The atmosphere and energy of one game was electric and big league, the other game, not as much. I’ll let you guess which one was more exciting and big league.

I wish the folks involved in the PWHL every success. The women’s game is fun and exciting.

 

[Naslundforever]

Gonna watch the second period of the toronto match. Give it a chance.

New York D has some size and wheels. Fun hockey so far, even a few good hits!

 

[red devil]

 

[JMCx4]

They got the call from the Board of Directors during the first intermission. It's gonna take blood on the ice now to slow this game down.

 

[Dessloch]

Why are they talking about physicality during the intermission in a league that do not allow hitting?

There is ZERO reason for this league to not make hitting part of the game! If hitting can be allowed in the SDHL swedish womens league and everyone likes it, why not? This is north america who loves hitting far more than we do in Sweden.

 

[LadyStanley]

New York taking over the game in the third.

 

[JMCx4]

Why are they talking about physicality during the intermission in a league that do not allow hitting?

There is ZERO reason for this league to not make hitting part of the game! If hitting can be allowed in the SDHL swedish womens league and everyone likes it, why not? This is north america who loves hitting far more than we do in Sweden.

Body contact IS allowed, with restrictions defined in the League rulebook that was released today.

NYC adds to their lead, now 3-0 in the 3rd.

 

[BE Friend]

As a dad with two girls, this is great for the generation of younger girls who love hockey and now have a professional league to aspire to.

I've been hooked watching this game, from the pre-game coverage to the game itself. Truthfully though, I figure the novelty will wear off quickly after getting caught up in the new league excitement and opening.

And I think that'll be the struggle for this league going forward. It's one thing now. It's retaining all these fans and viewers three months, three years, etc., from now.

If they stick to these smaller venues and keep them decently full it will go a long way to keeping interest up. AND of course EVERYTHING revolves around TV, what can sponsors sell to girls and women? I'm sure down the road the NHL will buy in for a few %points as goodwill and additional merch sales opportunities. The league owner has a great ACE in the sleeve - NHL has enough black marks to deal with, not supporting girls and women to play in the top league? THAT will be #1 issue to avoid.

 

[Metallo]

TOR PWHL's team gearing up for 50+ years w/o a championship I see!

 

[JMCx4]

Sold out. I was looking right up to yesterday for any resale tickets.

So what's your take on all those empty seats?

Whoops, the referee forgot his instructions. Interference call on Toronto, down 4-0.