PWHL Break Will Slow Momentum As Players Forced To Choose Between Pro and National Teams

After a six-month wait since the last game of the playoffs, the fans were able to renew their love for the PWHL last weekend. But merely 10 days later, the league is taking a week off for the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour, the first of three international breaks this season.

There will be four Euro tours this season: one was held in August, another one in November and one more will be held next February, with only European countries being represented. But for the next four years, an agreement was made for Hockey Canada and USA hockey to participate with their national development teams in the December leg of the tour every year, in what is called the 6-Nations Tournament, alongside Switzerland, Czechia, Sweden, and Finland.

Therefore, in order to allow everyone to play, the PWHL is taking a break from December 9 to December 16, not even 10 days after the debut of the season.

“The advantage is that we had three games before the break to evaluate what needs to be better,” said Team Canada and Montreal Victoire number one goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens. “Once the season starts, you don’t have many practices in a row like this to get things straight. We have to respect and get behind the other international players who want to compete.”

Same kind of answers from Montreal and Team Canada’s Kristin O’Neill.

“I don’t think it breaks momentum. Honestly, we have a week of games, it’s like a good timing to take that experience especially for new players or people who haven’t played in a while. It gives them time to practise and work on the things that came up from the three games. It also gives time for international players to gain experience.”

The problem with those two statements, especially the parts on respecting the international players and giving them experience?

Only one PWHL player is actually going.

Only one PWHL player to play

Both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey decided to send college players instead of the pros. Then, there are 17 players from Switzerland (1), Sweden (4), Czechia (9), and Finland (3) in the PWHL, but none are actually going to play in the tournament. The lone exception will come in net from Boston Fleet netminder Emma Soderberg.

At first, Klara Peslarova (Boston), Noemi Neubauerova (Toronto), Denisa Krizova (Minnesota), and Klara Hymlarova (Minnesota) were all part of Team Czechia before being removed from the roster. The other five Czech players had already decided to stay in North America. Alina Muller was also initially named to Switzerland's roster, but will almost certainly be replaced, particularly following her recent injury.

Ljungblom and Kjellbin Want to Stay in Montreal

Two of the four Swedes in the PWHL play in Montreal and were asked about it the Women's Euro Hockey Tour this week.

Lina Ljungblom and Team Sweden captain Anna Kjellbin confirmed to The Hockey News that they would not be part of it.

“Our coach wanted me to come,” explained Ljungblom. “But after I spoke to the strength coach here, and then look at the scheduling, I decided it was best for my body to stay in Montreal.”

Defender Anna Kjellbin also entertained the idea of going, but ended up deciding against it.

“I’ve been here for training camp not knowing what would happen, and then I signed a contract in not only a new city, but a new country, so there’s a lot of new things,” explained the 30-year-old. “There have been discussions back and forth, what would be the benefits of going or staying and we made the decision that I would stay in Montreal.”

Ljungblom also confirmed that New York’s Maja Nylén Persson will not be playing.

Not Fun for the fans

Then why take a week off if the PWHL is not affected at all by this? Could players decide if they want to go before the scheduling process is finished? Is it worth breaking the momentum for the fans, for one player, or even worse, none?

“I think it does break the momentum for the fans,” said Ljungblom. “I get that they want to watch hockey and watch us play. It’s not fun for them to have this break this early in the season.”

Yes, the Rivalry Series toned down their schedule to five games instead of seven, with only two of them during the PWHL season. But between the Women's Euro Hockey Tour, Rivalry Series, and the World Championships, it’s still three breaks for the PWHL.

With an expansion potentially on its way and more games being added to the season, there will come a day when players need to choose between pro hockey and international hockey.

“It’s happened to me now, where I had to choose what to do,” said Ljungblom. “It’s a hard decision because you always want to play for the national team. But right now, you play professional, so you need to stay professional in what you want to do or how you should do it. I hope in the future, there will be a better schedule.”

“I like that they pause the league so we have an opportunity to go,” mentioned Kjellbin. “But obviously we want to play games, right? That’s what we’re here for. It’s only a week, though, it could be worse.”

At the end of the day, the fans are the ones on the losing end of that break. After Sunday’s game between New York and Boston, the leagues will resume its activities on Tuesday, December 17.