Boston defenseman Megan Keller is optimistic about the potential for expansion in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) as neutral site games are set to take place in Pittsburgh and Detroit this weekend. Keller believes that growth is inevitable for the first-year, six-team league, citing the vast room for development in women’s professional hockey.
The league executives have hinted at potential expansion in the future, with the current focus on testing new markets through events like the PWHL’s “Takeover Weekend.” The league is already planning more neutral-site games for the upcoming season.
Teams like Toronto and Montreal will compete in Pittsburgh, while Boston and Ottawa will face off in Detroit, providing a homecoming experience for Michigan-born players like Keller, Taylor Girard, and Shiann Darkangelo.
The absence of women’s varsity hockey programs at major Michigan colleges like Michigan and Michigan State has been a point of discussion among players and league officials. The hope is that the presence of the PWHL in Detroit might encourage these schools to consider adding women’s varsity teams.
The neutral site games have garnered significant interest, with tickets selling well in both Detroit and Pittsburgh. The games hold importance in the league standings as teams enter the final stretch of the season.
The PWHL’s collaboration with the NHL has been instrumental in promoting women’s hockey, with games being played in NHL venues and setting attendance records. The league’s primary financial backer, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, has played a key role in unifying the sport's top players under the PWHL banner.
The future looks promising for women’s professional hockey, with discussions ongoing about potential expansion and continued collaboration with the NHL to further elevate the sport.
