Pwhl Becomes Latest Women’s League Expansion With Vancouver Team

In yet different motion of nan continued maturation of women’s sports. Wednesday, nan Professional Women’s Hockey League introduced their newest franchise which will play successful Vancouver, British Columbia.

“Today we are truthful excited because correct present successful Vancouver we sewage a team!! (cheering)”

That’s 9-year-old lucky subordinate Sydney Milden getting nan announcement started successful style pinch her younker team. The PWHL which is wrapping up its 2nd play has teams successful Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, New York, Minnesota, and Boston. The league’s seventh squad doesn’t person a sanction yet but VP of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford who won a golden badge astatine nan 2010 Winter Olympics successful Vancouver says it’s astir increasing nan game.

“With this squad comes much opportunity for nan champion women’s lucky players successful nan world to proceed competing successful 1 league. The talent excavation has ne'er been deeper and pinch a beardown 2025 draught people up we’re pleased that moreover much women are going to beryllium capable to play astatine nan master level.”

Reports person description campaigner Seattle joining Vancouver starting this fall, nan league’s 3rd season. Both cities were attendance leaders during nan PWHL’s ‘Takeover Tour’ of venues crossed nan country. Proof that fans person an appetite for much women’s events.

“This is an breathtaking moment. It marks nan commencement of thing bigger than conscionable hockey. It’s astir creating a caller section successful master women’s sports, not conscionable lucky specific. It’s inspiring nan adjacent procreation to proceed playing to thrust for something.”

The PHWL is pursuing a increasing trend. The WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries will statesman their first play successful May and nan convention will grow pinch 2 much teams, Toronto and Portland successful 2026.

Why? The numbers speak for themselves. In 2024, nan WNBA delivered its most-watched regular play successful 24 years pinch much than 54 cardinal unsocial viewers and had its highest full attendance successful 22 years, complete 2.3 cardinal fans, up 48% from 2023.

The NWSL besides has “very eager plans for description ” according to commissioner Jessican Berman. There are presently 16 teams pinch Boston and Denver starting play successful 2026 and nan scheme is to go a 30-team convention successful nan future.

Credit stars for illustration Megan Rapinoe, Caitlin Clark and those Olympic lucky golden medalists for raising nan barroom to a level that attracts much tv money and vulnerability to nan sports they play. That is charismatic to investors.

Which successful turn, provides much opportunities to nan adjacent procreation of young girls who want to beryllium master athletes.
For Straight Arrow News I’m Chris Francis.