Inaugural PWHL season takes shape: Six teams, NHL collaboration, Brian Burke leading player union and more
On Monday night, details leaked about the soon-to-be announced configuration of the PWHL, the new unified elite women’s pro hockey league merging the talents of the Professional Women’s Hockey Player Association (PWHPA) and the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). On Tuesday, an introductory PWHL video press conference confirmed the information that had previously surfaced and unveiled a lot more.
As expected, the PWHL will launch with an Original Six group of franchises based in NHL markets: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul and the New York City area. Starting in January, teams will play a 24-game schedule that will overlap with the Women’s World Championship in April, with playoffs running into June, albeit the schedule in subsequent seasons will be 32 games and will start in November. As reported by The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian, Teams will be able to sign free agents for the first 10 days of September. A 15-round draft will also take place Sept. 18. Players will have until Sept. 3 to declare for the draft. Teams can sign up to a maximum of 20 players before the commencement of training camps in November.
While the PWHL is privately owned, backed by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and tennis legend Billie Jean King, it will collaborate on some cross promotion with the NHL for tentpole events. As reported by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, The PWHL will play some neutral-site regular season games and should have a presence at events such as the NHL All-Star Game and Winter Classic.
As widely speculated, longtime NHL executive Brian Burke was confirmed for a major leadership role Tuesday. He has signed on as executive director of the PWHL players’ association. He previously served on the now-defunct CWHL’s board of advisors.
In July, the PWHPA unanimously ratified a collective bargaining agreement running through 2031. Included in it: a salary range or $35,000 to $80,000 for players on active rosters, including at least six players on every franchise signed for three or more years at no less than $80,000.