recap for those who donât know/werenât aware WHY this league is so important and why we should support it â this is the first season of the professional womenâs hockey league (pwhl) in which these female athletes (olympians, former u18, and college stars, ect) are being properly compensated for their skills â AKA making enough to not have to work two jobs while also playing hockey â itâs not millions but itâs enough â starting at 35k, average at about 55k, and each team will carry a minimum six players signed to three-year contracts paying them $80,000 annually. The highest salary is rumoured to be at 120k. The league already has a collective bargaining agreement as well that covers the next eight years. There have been successful womenâs hockey leagues in the past, but none began with the kind of staying power this one has.
The first season began on Jan. 1, 2024, with each team playing a 24-game schedule, 12 games at home and 12 away. All games are be streamed FOR FREE on the pwhlâs youtube channel. In Canada you can also catch the games on sportsnet, cbc, and tsn depending on the day. Link to the schedule.
This is so big for not only womenâs hockey, but womenâs sports in general. This league was crafted together as a labour of love by womenâs hockey alumni like Jayna Hefford and other female athletes such as Billie Jean King. People who love the sport, and womenâs sports in general and want to see it develop and succeed so little girls can have a dream and goal of playing professionally like boys do.
support this league. Itâs our best shot