The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is entering its first free-agency period, marking an exciting milestone for the league. The 10-day signing window opened on Friday, allowing each team to sign up to three players ahead of the PWHL Draft on September 18. However, current or graduating players from NCAA or Canadian university programs are not eligible to sign during this preliminary free-agency period.
Fans and experts are eagerly anticipating the signings of some of the game’s biggest stars, such as Marie-Philip Poulin and Hilary Knight, who are expected to sign the first contracts in PWHL history. As signings are announced throughout the week, this story will be updated before the end of free agency on September 10.
To provide a clear timeline of key dates in the PWHL free agency and draft process, here are the important dates to remember:
– September 1: Initial free agency began
– September 3: Deadline for players to declare for the PWHL Draft
– September 10: Initial free-agency window closes
– September 18: PWHL Draft
In addition to the free agency news, the PWHL recently announced its original six markets: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the New York City area. The league also introduced the six general managers hired to lead each team, including Olympic medalists Gina Kingsbury, Natalie Darwitz, and Danièle Sauvageau.
The American franchises will be led by Darwitz (Minnesota), Pascal Daoust (New York), and Danielle Marmer (Boston). The Canadian general managers are Kingsbury (Toronto), Sauvageau (Montreal), and Michael Hirshfeld (Ottawa).
While venues for games and training have yet to be announced, it has been confirmed that the PWHL will play in a variety of arena sizes, ranging from NHL buildings to minor league arenas. For example, the Ottawa team will play at TD Place, home of the OHL’s Ottawa 67s, and a new dressing room is being constructed for the PWHL team. Additionally, there are rumors that the Minnesota team will play at Xcel Energy Center.
The PWHL Draft, scheduled for September 18 in Toronto, will consist of 15 rounds and a total of 90 picks. Minnesota was awarded the first pick in a draft lottery held last week. After the first round, the draft will follow a snake format, with teams selecting in reverse order of the previous round.
It’s worth noting that no draft picks will be traded until at least the completion of the 2023-24 season.
The 2023-24 PWHL season is set to begin in January 2024, with 24 regular-season games (12 at home and 12 on the road). However, not every home game will be played in a team’s home venue. Some games will be held at neutral sites in collaboration with the NHL. The PWHL and its players are also expected to make appearances at NHL events like the Winter Classic and All-Star games.
This inaugural season will feature 24 games, but subsequent seasons will have 32 regular-season games running from November to May, followed by playoffs. There will also be international breaks during the IIHF women’s world championships and Olympics.
In terms of player salaries, the PWHL has implemented a collective bargaining agreement that sets a salary range between $35,000 and $80,000 or more for the 2023-24 season. At least six players on each team will be signed to three-year contracts with a minimum salary of $80,000 per league year. Additionally, no more than nine players per team can be paid the league minimum of $35,000. The average salary on each team must be $55,000.
The CBA also includes additional competition bonuses, such as All-Star Game bonuses, league MVP awards, and playoff bonuses. Players will receive per diem on the road, meals, housing stipends, and other benefits outlined in the agreement.
As the PWHL continues to make strides in women’s hockey, fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead. The full schedule is expected to be released in October, providing more details on game dates and locations. With talented players, passionate fans, and a commitment to growing the sport, the PWHL is poised to make a significant impact in the world of women’s hockey.