Six-team PWHL selects Vancouver as
its 1st expansion franchise with 2nd city to be determined
[April 24, 2025]
By JOHN WAWROW
The PWHL is heading west by selecting Vancouver as its first
expansion franchise on Wednesday as part of the six-team league’s
objective to broaden its reach across North America.
A member of the Vancouver Angels under-11 girls team, with her
teammates holding up signs reading “PWHL we want a team,” made the
announcement official during a news conference by saying: “We got a
team.” The PWHL then cut to highlights of the league's “Takeover
Tour” neutral site game in Vancouver in January, and closed with a
visual of the PWHL Vancouver logo.
“The momentum behind the PWHL continues to grow and the fans have
made it clear. They’re ready for a team here and now. Today is a
great day for a city that passionately supports its teams,” vice
president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford said. “This expansion
brings greater visibility to the West Coast, expands our geographic
footprint, and most importantly, grows the game.”
And the addition of a second expansion team — with Seattle a
candidate — is on the horizon, vice president of business operations
Amy Scheer told The Associated Press.
“While some might say Seattle is the obvious shoe to drop, that
doesn’t mean that’s what we’re going to do,” Scheer said of pairing
the two Pacific Northwest markets.
“So we’ll see what the following weeks or months bring,” she added,
while saying it would be reasonable to expect the PWHL to expand by
two teams for the start of next season.
Though the league is targeting Seattle, an agreement has not been
finalized, a person with knowledge of the discussions told the AP
and spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are
private. Should a deal not be reached, the PWHL would consider other
markets, the person said, with Denver and Detroit serving as likely
candidates.
The addition of Vancouver represents a major milestone for a league
that's brought together the sport’s top players since being
established in June 2023 and is in the midst of completing its
second season.
Though Detroit was regarded as a prime expansion market, the PWHL
looked west in taking the next step toward evolving into a true
North American league beyond its concentration of five
northeastern-based teams — Boston, New York, Montreal, Ottawa and
Toronto — and one in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Vancouver became an obvious choice over the six months since the
PWHL announced it was preparing to evaluate more than 20 markets in
a bid to expand by as many as two franchises.
Aside from being Canada’s third-largest city with a large corporate
base to serve as potential league sponsors, Vancouver is enjoying
growth among its youth girls hockey programs, and offers two venues
that will make Vancouver the PWHL's first franchise serving as the
primary tenant.
The yet-to-be named team will play out of the Pacific Coliseum,
former home to the NHL's Canucks, and practice at the Agrodome. Both
are located on the Pacific National Exhibition grounds east of the
city’s downtown, and easily accessible by a major highway connecting
Vancouver's suburbs.
The PNE has also committed to upgrading the locker room and training
facilities at both venues to meet PWHL standards.
Another boost in Vancouver’s favor came with the PWHL’s Takeover
Tour game generating a crowd of 19,038 — the fourth-largest turnout
in league history.
Scheer noted fan engagement on social media leading up to the game
was the largest for any of the PWHL’s nine Takeover Tour events this
year. She also cited 70% of those in attendance were making
first-time visits to the Canucks current home, Rogers Arena.
[to top of second column] |
Member of the Vancouver Angels girls ice hockey team help announce
that the PWHL will be expanding to Vancouver for the 2025-26 season
during a press event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday April
23, 2025. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)
Another plus was the interest expressed by local
officials, with Scheer saying PWHL officials were floored by how
comprehensive the PNE bid was to land a team.
"When that puck drops at the Coliseum, the roar of approval, the
roar joy is gonna be so loud and it’s gonna feel so great. I can’t
wait to be there to do that with you all," B.C. Minister of Tourism,
Arts Culture and Sport Spencer Chandra Herbert said. “Hallelujah,
celebration, throw babies in the air, not too far. Clap your hands
stomp your feet. This is a great day for hockey in British
Columbia.”
The payoff has quickly been apparent. Within hours of the
announcement, Scheer said Vancouver already sold out of premium
season ticket deposits. Vancouver’s premium founding membership
program includes seating in the center sections, access to a private
lounge and additional benefits.
Scheer said Vancouver was still accepting regular season ticket
deposits. The arena’s capacity is listed at 17,713, but that figure
is expected to drop because of upcoming renovations.
The team will initially go by PWHL Vancouver, and its colors will be
Pacific blue and cream. The PWHL plans to announce the date of an
expansion draft and how Vancouver will be integrated into its entry
draft on June 24 at a later time.
Expansion coincides with a talented group of college and European
prospects expected to join the PWHL over the next two years. It's a
group that includes Wisconsin senior Casey O'Brien, college hockey's
MVP last season, and the Wisconsin junior tandem of Caroline Harvey
and Laila Edwards.
“It adds just another reason why this is the right move now. The
depth of talent is really good," Hefford said, noting expansion also
opens more opportunities to develop coaches and support staff.
For Hefford, Vancouver’s selection brings back a host of memories.
In attending the Takeover stop in Vancouver, the former Canadian
women’s national team star was joined by former teammate Charline
Labonte, and Canucks assistant GMs, Cammi Granato and Émilie
Castonguay.
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Games is also where Hefford, a Hockey Hall
of Fame inductee, won her third of four Olympic gold medals.
“I think those Vancouver Games left a real imprint on Canadians for
many reasons,” Hefford said, noting Canada won a then-national
Winter Games record of 26 medals, including gold for the men’s
hockey team. “I just think that was such a pivotal moment for our
country, and to be able to bring the PWHL there is something we’re
all very excited about.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
