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2024-25 PWHL Thread

Stellar Six: PWHL’s Unsung Heroines - January Edition

Each month the PWHL releases their six stars. Cee Benwell's Stellar Six looks at the 'second team' of unsung heroes. Here's a look at January's Stellar Six.

Cee Benwell
Feb 7, 2025 8:56 AM EST

The PWHL releases its monthly SupraStars, honoring three forwards, two defenders, and one goaltender at the conclusion of each month, “determined as the players who most excelled on ice throughout the PWHL.”

The Stellar Six is our “second team” of performers who have made an impression and a difference for their teams in January. ...


Read more at: https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/stellar-six-pwhls-unsung-heroines-january-edition | THN
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I want to also add that the league (and, individually, the players) is/are doing a great job across the board of being ambassadors for the game and showcasing the fun side of hockey which often will appeal to the casual fan more than the competition itself. The focus on youth hockey is also a great strategy as it cultivates a next generation of fans which pays immediate dividends when they get their parents involved AND future dividends when they grow up with a lifelong dedication to/support of the league.




One of the reasons I've always liked hockey (and baseball) more than most other sports is that the athletes are generally good, likable people, and it is easy to root for them, and easy to appreciate them even when they are on other teams. Yes, there will be "villains" but they're not actually bad people or criminals. IMO these social media snippets are great engagement with the fans and can pull people into algorithms and convert them to fans.

The play has definitely picked up this season, and expansion would be welcome, as it's clear from the change in scoring between this season and last that there are too many good goalies for 6 teams, and it'll also be beneficial to have 2 more full teams of rostered players so that more women can play as there is certainly enough talent in the league to have a high level of play with 2 more teams.

I would like to see the league (and especially the Sirens) fight for more weekend games, as that would significantly boost attendance for now.
 
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TopShelfSnipes said:
... The play has definitely picked up this season, and expansion would be welcome, as it's clear from the change in scoring between this season and last that there are too many good goalies for 6 teams, and it'll also be beneficial to have 2 more full teams of rostered players so that more women can play as there is certainly enough talent in the league to have a high level of play with 2 more teams.
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I don't share your "too many good goalies" sentiment. I think the path to increased team goals per game (IF that's important to the League's strategic plans) lies primarily in two other aspects: (1) drafting and/or developing more skilled shooters (the current percentage of skaters who can shoot at higher velocities with quick releases remains low); and (2) giving the current & future players time to adapt to a much more physical game than they've encountered before (which has reduced the speeds & retricted the angles of puck carriers approaching the opposing team's goal, giving the goaltenders more time to react).

Expansion might help improve those conditions, but let's be clear that increasing the membership & footprint of the PWHL is first and foremost intended for revenue generation. Any additional benefits to players & gameplay would just be more wind in the sails of those who are steering the ship. ⛵️

TopShelfSnipes said:
... I would like to see the league (and especially the Sirens) fight for more weekend games, as that would significantly boost attendance for now.
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The P' & its status as the female equivalent of minor pro men's hockey will continue to relegate most if not all of the teams to less lucrative game dates. Arena leases are fashioned to attract the highest revenue-generating tenants; so having women's hockey teams in a fledgling league trying to snag weekend dates to boost attendance runs counter to facility managers giving priority to money-making entities (hockey AND non hockey entertainment) with proven track records. The "fight" is thus greatly handicapped in favor of the NHL & other big-money draws in the large markets that the PWHL has already entered/shuffled around in or are targeting for expansion. This is why most minor pro men's hockey teams seek home ice in smaller markets, on the hope they can establish an "only game in town" foothold THEN grow a loyal fanbase.
 
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JMCx4 said:
The P' & its status as the female equivalent of minor pro men's hockey will continue to relegate most if not all of the teams to less lucrative game dates. Arena leases are fashioned to attract the highest revenue-generating tenants; so having women's hockey teams in a fledgling league trying to snag weekend dates to boost attendance runs counter to facility managers giving priority to money-making entities (hockey AND non hockey entertainment) with proven track records. The "fight" is thus greatly handicapped in favor of the NHL & other big-money draws in the large markets that the PWHL has already entered/shuffled around in or are targeting for expansion. This is why most minor pro men's hockey teams seek home ice in smaller markets, on the hope they can establish an "only game in town" foothold THEN grow a loyal fanbase.
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My argument to this is economies of scale. It's easier and less expensive for the arena to take advantage of existing ice to "double up" on gamedays, while letting the NHL take priority. In the case of the Sirens, this is easy - if the Devils want the afternoon, the Sirens get the evening, if the Devils want the evening, the Sirens get the afternoon. Any concerns around gameday team practices for either squad that might conflict can easily be dealt with (in the case of the Sirens) by utilizing the practice rink next door. Any youth hockey or beer leagues would be less of a draw than the Sirens at this point, and therefore should be lower priority if the ice is already being made up. Other events (concerts, wrestling, etc.) wouldn't likely be scheduled same day because of the difficulties in converting back and forth to/from ice.

Plus the league could look into cross promoting with the NHL to sell Sirens tickets as part of a double bill for Devils fans also.

Just my 2c.
 
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TopShelfSnipes said:
... Plus the league could look into cross promoting with the NHL to sell Sirens tickets as part of a double bill for Devils fans also. ...
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Evidence of substantive NHL support for the PWHL's business venture has been very sparse so far, so I wouldn't count on a cooperative Sirens-Devils cross-promotion initiative. Which might just be a reflection of the League parties involved, considering that the Devils did partner with the NWHL's Riveters. Something in the business dynamic has changed since women's pro hockey has evolved. :huh:
 
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