League Expansion and Schedule
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is entering its fourth season with an ambitious expansion of its schedule. The league will now feature 120 total games, up from 90 last season and 72 in its inaugural year. This growth reflects the increasing popularity and interest in professional women's hockey.
The expanded schedule will allow for more neutral-site games, including 13 contests that the new Seattle franchise will host at the Climate Pledge Arena. This provides greater exposure for the league and its talented players.
Offseason Moves and Hires
The offseason has also seen several significant moves and hires across the PWHL. The Montreal Victoire signed their 2025 first-round draft pick, Nicole Gosling, to a three-year contract. Gosling is coming off a standout collegiate career and will look to make an immediate impact.
The Seattle franchise also made a notable addition, hiring former PWHL player and Olympic gold medalist Amanda Pelkey as a Senior Advisor to the General Manager. Pelkey's experience and expertise will be invaluable as the new team looks to establish itself in the league.
Emerging Talent and Storylines
As the 2025-26 season approaches, there is growing excitement around the next generation of PWHL stars. Several players from the 2026 draft class have already made noise, including a standout defender from Penn State.
Additionally, the league's partnership with the IIHF has led to some changes, including the World Championships moving to November. While this shift has its pros and cons, it reflects the PWHL's growing influence and the continued evolution of women's hockey on the global stage.
TL;DR
- PWHL expanding to 120 games, allowing for more neutral-site contests
- Montreal Victoire sign 2025 first-round pick Nicole Gosling to 3-year deal
- Seattle hires former PWHL player and Olympian Amanda Pelkey as senior advisor
- Emerging talent from 2026 draft class generating early buzz
- IIHF World Championships moving to November, impacting international calendar