Marie-Philip Poulin, the world’s best women’s hockey player, stood on the blue line at the Bell Centre, fighting back tears as she was introduced to a world record crowd in Montreal, receiving a deafening ovation that lasted over 20 seconds from 21,105 fans.
The crowd’s reaction was a testament to Poulin’s incredible skill and dedication to the sport, as well as the growing popularity of women’s hockey. As a native of Quebec, Poulin is a beloved figure in her home province, and the fans’ enthusiasm was palpable as they cheered her on. The applause was a defining moment in the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League season, which has been hailed as a groundbreaking success.
Poulin’s emotional response to the ovation was understandable, given the significance of the moment. “Honestly, I didn’t know what to do, how to react, the emotions were so high,” she said. “Having the Bell Centre packed for women’s hockey … it felt like we finally made it.” The sold-out crowd was a milestone for the PWHL, which has been working tirelessly to promote women’s hockey and provide a professional platform for female players.
The PWHL’s inaugural season has been marked by numerous milestones, including record-breaking attendance figures and a significant increase in viewership. The league’s success has been driven by the talented players, who have showcased their skills and athleticism to a growing audience. The PWHL has also secured partnerships with major brands, such as Air Canada, Scotiabank, Bauer, and Barbie, which has helped to increase the league’s visibility and credibility.
However, the league’s first season was not without its challenges. The New York franchise struggled to draw fans, finishing with the worst attendance in the league. The team played in three different rinks, which may have contributed to the low attendance figures. Additionally, the league faced criticism for its merchandise rollout, which was plagued by supply issues and limited size ranges.
Despite these challenges, the PWHL is looking to build on its success in its sophomore season. The league has taken several positive steps, including unveiling team names and logos, releasing new jerseys, and expanding its merchandise offerings. The PWHL has also announced plans to play nine neutral-site games, mostly in NHL buildings, which will help to increase the league’s visibility and attract new fans.
One of the biggest developments of the offseason is the league’s plans for expansion. The PWHL is looking to add up to two new teams as soon as the 2025-26 season, which will help to increase the league’s competitiveness and provide more opportunities for female players. The league has sent out over 20 requests for proposals to interested potential expansion partners, which is a positive sign for the future of women’s hockey.
The PWHL’s expansion plans are driven by the influx of international players, who are eager to join the league and compete against the best players in the world. The league’s success has also attracted the attention of top players from Europe and the NCAA, who are looking to make the jump to North America. “It became more clear what the league is going to look like, and so now, I feel like everybody is trying to get a spot here,” said Team Germany forward Laura Kluge.
As the PWHL looks to build on its success, it is clear that the league is committed to promoting women’s hockey and providing a professional platform for female players. The league’s focus on showcasing the skills and athleticism of its players has helped to increase its popularity, and the PWHL is well on its way to becoming a major player in the world of women’s sports.
However, the PWHL still faces several challenges, including the wage gap between top players and those who make up the majority of each team’s roster. The league’s collective-bargaining agreement has set player compensation and roster construction, which has resulted in a significant disparity in salaries. The league minimum salary is $35,000, which will increase by 3 percent to $36,050 in 2024-25, but many players’ salaries are closer to the league minimum on non-guaranteed contracts.
Despite these challenges, the PWHL is confident that it can build on its success and become a sustainable and successful league. The league’s focus on promoting women’s hockey and providing a professional platform for female players has helped to increase its popularity, and the PWHL is well on its way to becoming a major player in the world of women’s sports. As Poulin said, “This year is about making it normal that we play in bigger buildings that sell out, that people are excited (to be there). And now we’re just going to play hockey because that’s our job.”
