The Professional Women's Hockey League has once again shifted focus away from its playoffs with expansion news. For the second consecutive year, the league has announced plans to grow, but this time details have been released sparingly and during the postseason. In 2025, the PWHL formally added Vancouver and Seattle just before the playoffs began.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Detroit will join the league, with speculation that three other cities will follow, expanding the PWHL to 12 teams. The news was a hot topic at the Canadian Tire Centre as the Ottawa Charge prepared for Game 3 of their semifinal series against the Boston Fleet, tied 1-1 in the best-of-five matchup.
Players Focus on the Present
Charge forward Michela Cava acknowledged the distraction but emphasized staying focused. "It obviously is hard to ignore it, but right now we're just trying to stay focused on the task at hand," she said. "Our league is growing all the time, so for us, I think it's just important to enjoy the group we have right now. The team is obviously going to be different next year, so you just try to enjoy the moments you have with the girls."
Expansion Draft Changes
Unlike 2025, the expansion will not involve a draft. Instead, a complex five-page proposal was delivered to the PWHL Players Association last weekend. According to the Associated Press, existing teams can initially protect three players under contract. Starting May 28, expansion teams can contact prospective players and release a 20-player negotiating list, then sign up to five players, including one with a "franchise offer" of at least $100,000 per year for one to four years.
After the initial signing period, all teams can sign or protect three additional players. A two-day exclusive window then allows expansion teams to fill rosters to 10 players, with existing teams losing no more than four players each. Following the PWHL draft on June 17, an open free-agent signing period begins for all teams.
Concerns About Dilution
The addition of four new teams raises concerns about over-diluting the talent pool. The current eight-team structure already employs 200 of the world's best female hockey players. The league must ensure the quality of play remains high as it expands.
Kendra Woodland, goaltender for the Ottawa Charge, and her teammates are navigating these changes while competing for a championship. The expansion underscores the league's rapid growth but also challenges players to adapt to a shifting landscape.
