Complete Guide to PWHL 2024-25 Season: Rules, Storylines, and Viewing Options

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is gearing up for an exciting second season after a successful inaugural year. With newly introduced team names, logos, and jerseys, along with a roster filled with top talent from college teams in the U.S. and professional leagues in Europe, the 2024-25 season promises to be action-packed for fans of women’s hockey. Additionally, the league has expanded to bigger venues, introduced new rules, and even scheduled regular-season games in several NHL buildings.

Kicking off on a high note, the PWHL has undergone significant changes since its inception on January 1, 2024. The league, supported by Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, features six teams based in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa) and the United States (Boston, Minnesota, New York). This single-entity ownership model is overseen by Walter and his wife, Kimbra, along with notable figures like Stan Kasten, Billie Jean King, and Ilana Kloss on the advisory board.

This season, the PWHL has unveiled its team names – Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres – along with fresh jersey designs created in collaboration with Bauer Hockey. Teams will play 30 regular-season games each, an increase from last year’s 24 games, and will be competing in new venues this season, providing a more engaging experience for both players and fans.

Excitingly, the PWHL is also embarking on a “Takeover Tour” with nine neutral-site games scheduled across the U.S. and Canada, showcasing talent and attracting interest from a broader audience. The league’s commitment to fostering growth and recognition for women’s hockey is evident in these strategic moves.

When it comes to rules, the PWHL has made some unique adjustments to set itself apart from traditional hockey leagues. They’ve adopted a 3-2-1 points system, introduced the “jailbreak” rule for short-handed goals, and implemented the Gold Plan for determining draft order post-elimination. Additionally, the league is cracking down on illegal hits, emphasizing player safety and fair play on the ice.

As the PWHL enters its second season, fans are eager to see if the defending champion Minnesota Frost can secure back-to-back championships, or how the injury to Toronto Sceptres’ MVP Natalie Spooner will influence the team’s performance. With an array of storylines and a roster of talented athletes ready to hit the ice, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be a thrilling ride for women’s hockey enthusiasts worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds in the PWHL!