My Holiday Wish List For The PWHL

The holiday season is a time of lists. Whether it's a list to Santa, a list of New Years resolutions, or the many other celebrations that come with this time of year, people set out their intentions and wishes in lists.

The PWHL has been an incredible gift in itself to the hockey world, but we can always dream and look at what we want and need. Here's a look at my holiday wish list for the PWHL.

1. Tickets Sales A Soaring

For my first holiday wish, I hope we continue to see ticket sales a soaring (and a partridge in a pear tree). The league has exceeded all expectations, but maintaining early excitement is a challenge for any brand. Last year we saw attendance records fall at every step, and although that isn't going to be easy, it would be nice to see a team like the New York Sirens break their own home attendance record, and for a new American attendance record to be set above and beyond the 13,736 fans who set the record last season in Detroit. Minnesota should be able to put together a strong home crowd to make it happen. If not, watch for Seattle and Denver to challenge this mark for their PWHL Takeover Tour events.

2. New Teams

Expansion. Everyone wants it. Will the PWHL expand by two teams in the West to satisfy the demands of national American broadcasters to have a larger footprint for the league? Or will they select Canadian based markets where they know they'll sell tickets? Will it be one team or two? This year's PWHL Draft will be capable of providing top end talent for one more team, especially with an expansion draft. It might not have enough to make two teams capable of competing night in and night out, but it will be a short term issue as the 2026 PWHL Draft is loaded with elite top end talent and the league's inaugural 36 players signed to three years deals will all be free agents. Expansion means more games, and more games is a great thing for every fan.

3. An Earlier Season

The PWHL simply can't afford another six month offseason. Any development deal with a European league may also hinge on an earlier season start to ensure released players can join new teams sooner. An earlier start would also minimize the impact of international breaks, and perhaps give players from Europe an extra day or two during those breaks to actually be able to participate with their nations leading up to the 2026 Olympics. An earlier start would also inevitably give the league more available dates on weekends to help fans see games.

4. Better Treatment For Reserve Players

Every good holiday wish list needs more than just gifts, it also needs a few "peace on earth" type requests to the universe. There are still many gaps in the PWHL, like more money for all players, that will eventually come, but the league's reserve players are a crucial component of keeping the PWHL viable and avoiding embarrassing roster gaps. But the league is losing the best possible reserves to other leagues, or other careers. Many players who were offered reserve spots this season turned them down. It's not feasible to ask an athlete to stay in a major city and train for $15,450 per year. More specifically, it's not feasible to request this without a housing stipend (rostered players receive $1545 per month), and without any form of medical benefits, despite being expected to train. Let's hope the Grinch's heart grows three sizes and these players get the basics of housing and medical.

5. An All-Star Game

All-Star games are mentioned in the collective bargaining agreement, which begs to insinuate that the league at some point intends to run an All-Star game, and who wouldn't love to see a skills competition alongside any game. It could be yet another outreach opportunity for the league. Whether it's hosted annually in a PWHL market at an NHL sized venue, or it's an event that travels to new locations, the options are endless for an All-Star game. It would be easy to see a game featuring one team of players from the league's three Canadian teams, and another from the American teams. It could also be a spot where the league could continue to innovate. More than anything, this league is filled with stars, and bringing them to one location for a showcase of their incredible talent seems like another opportunity for the league to draw positive media attention, tell stories, and grow their fan base.

6. An American National Broadcaster

It's not just people in California or Arizona where fans must rely on the league's streaming options. It's fans in regional markets who may not have specific networks, or those who need to add two or more streaming platforms to their monthly bills to access the league. The PWHL needs to find a home on a major national network, even for a handful of games, where the league can be seen by the widest possible demographic and geographic groups. Whether it's USA Network, ESPN, TNT, or someone else, the league needs a partner. There's no way to grow the American fan base without exposing fans to the game with the fewest barriers possible. It's why YouTube during season one was such a gift to fans, and to the league itself. YouTube isn't the forever answer either, as the league still needs a linear broadcast option. The league has been sprinting to keep up with themselves, and it's only a matter of time before an American broadcaster recognizes the immense potential market that exists in women's hockey.

7. Health and Happiness

One of the greatest things about the PWHL is the people behind the jerseys. The players have been incredible ambassadors for the game and league, and their willingness to connect with fans and each other has been remarkable. Not only that, but the level of play on the ice is unbelievable. This year, we hope that stars of the game, whether it's Natalie Spooner or Brianne Jenner, Cayla Barnes or Sophie Jaques, Alina Muller or Ella Shelton, avoid any more injury. And we also hope for speedy recoveries for players like Dominika Laskova and Kennedy Marchment who have seen their careers threatened by long term injuries. The league has also provided a wealth of happiness for fans and players alike watching the wedding of Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, and the engagement of Ronja Savolainen and Anna Kjellbin. Here's to a year of health and happiness for all in the PWHL.