“GameChangeHERS” is a column by Mia Nunez that focuses on the achievements of women in sports.
The Women's Professional Hockey League promises to be the “first women's hockey league of its kind,” and that promise is being fulfilled.
PWHL only launched in January of this year, but it has been a success. It may come as a surprise that it was announced last summer that the PWHL would not be the first women's hockey league after the Premier Hockey Federation folded after eight seasons. There was also a Canadian Women's Hockey League before the PHF ended, but it was disbanded in 2019.
The termination of the PHF and CWHL is said to have come after more than 200 prominent women's hockey players issued a statement refusing to play in the North American league unless they qualify. “It’s a resource that professional hockey demands and deserves.”
Some of the problems players had with PHF included no health insurance benefits and salaries that were only around $2,000. PWHL was founded to provide female hockey players with the resources they deserve, with the goal of giving the world's best female hockey players the opportunity to pursue the sport full-time.
The PWHL is not well-equipped to ensure each player earns a living wage while playing professional hockey, but it is already on a better trajectory than other leagues. Players have contracts worth between $35,000 and $80,000. More than nine players on a team cannot be paid minimum wage.
The league was purchased by tennis legend and activist Billie Jean King and billionaire Mark Walter. Each team will play 24 regular season games from January to May, with the championship held in June. There are six teams based in New York, Toronto, Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, and St. Paul, Minnesota. These teams don't have names yet, and it's unclear when they will.
What makes this league different from other leagues is not only that it has great benefits for players. PWHL has its own set of rules. One of the most unique rules is the point system. For example, in the National Hockey League, he gets two points if his team wins, whether in regulation or in overtime. If you lose in overtime, you will score 1 point. However, the PWHL uses a 3-2-1-0 point system, with 3 points for a win in regulation, 2 points for a win in overtime and a shootout, 1 point for a loss in overtime, and 1 point for a loss in overtime. A loss will result in 0 points.
Another notable rule change is shootouts. In the NHL, shootouts are best-of-three, and if no one wins, the game goes to sudden death. A player who takes a shot in a shootout may not shoot again until all players in the lineup have shot. In contrast, PWHL rules are best-of-five, and if no one wins, the game goes to sudden death. However, any player can shoot again without restriction.
PWHL continues to grow, breaking attendance records every week. The league's first game, played in Ottawa on January 2nd, broke the Women's Professional Hockey League attendance record with 8,318 fans. However, the Toronto-Montreal game on February 16th broke the attendance record of 19,285 people, making it the largest attendance ever for a women's hockey game, including the Olympics.
If you need some background before your first viewing, here are some important things to know. Toronto leads the league with 36 points, while New York is right behind them with 35 points. If you're looking for your favorite player, we recommend Toronto's Natalie Spooner, who currently leads the league in points and goals. Additionally, they just announced the name of their championship trophy, the Walter Cup, to recognize Mark Walter, the PWHL's biggest financial supporter.
The best part about the PWHL is that the games are available to watch for free on the league's YouTube. Getting involved in women's hockey is easier than ever, as games are free and there are currently only six teams. Playoffs are about to begin. Watch now as teams compete for the Walter Cup.
“GameChangeHERS” will be held every other Thursday.
