The Rivalry Series has become problematic for the PWHL and the league's players. Could a league-run event similar to the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off be the answer?
The Rivalry Series has become problematic for the PWHL and the league's players. Could a league-run event similar to the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off be the answer?
The Rivalry Series pitting only Canada and USA's national teams against each other was once a necessity to preserve and grow women's hockey. That's no longer the case. The next step for women's hockey is to expand international supremacy beyond North America. With the dawn of the PWHL, more international players are coming to North America, but the opportunities for international play remain limited.
While the PWHL is wise to avoid the NHL's pathway at almost every step, the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off could be a model for women's hockey. Specifically, the 4 Nations Face-Off is run by the NHL, meaning unlike the Rivalry Series, the benefit remains solely with the league.
The lone difference is the PWHL would still need to invite outside players to participate as there are not enough players from any nation aside from Canada and USA to fill an entire roster. The event however could become a financial incentive to the player pool if a revenue share model was designed. Without revenue share options built into traditional aspects of the CBA, adding an avenue for the player pool to make money would be a win for the players and a win for the league.
There are fans who want to see the Rivalry Series remain despite the ongoing costs the Series is inflicting on the PWHL. A league run event could be the answer.
Who would be the four nations?
For women's hockey, four might not be enough. The top tier is currently a five nation group. Canada and USA are obvious participants not only competitively but in terms of fan interest as well. Beyond these nations, there are three who could play - Czechia, Finland, and Sweden. Outside this group, there currently are no nations competitive enough to participate. A five team pool would result in 10 games for a round robin event.
The Player Pool In North America Is Large
Between the PWHL, NCAA, and a handful of players in minor hockey, there are full rosters from each nation in North America. Canada and USA's rosters are obvious, but the others have impressive cohorts as well. Czechia's roster would include PWHL forwards Katerina Mrazova, Noemi Neubauerova, Denisa Krisova, Tereza Vanisova, and Klara Hymlarova, defenders Aneta Tejralova, Daniela Pejsova, and Dominika Laskova, and netminder Klara Peslarova. Next season, that group will grow by two with forwards Natalie Mlynkova and Kristyna Kaltounkova both anticipated to be picks in the top two rounds. Andrea Trnkova and Michaela Hesova from the NCAA add another defender and goalie, and several young players including Adela Sapovalivova, Tereza Plosova, Barbora Jurickova, Tereza Pistekova, Aneta Senkova, Linda Vocetkova, Julie Jebouskova, and Adela Pankova will all join the NCAA in the next two seasons. Sweden's roster of players will grow quickly as well with Lina Ljungblom, Anna Kjellbin, Emma Soderberg, and Maja Nylen Persson in the PWHL, it's a smaller pool to start from, but it will grow quickly as well with Josefin Bouveng, Thea Johansson, Hilda Svensson, Jenna Raunio, Ida Karlsson, and Mira Jungaker in or soon to be in the NCAA. There are currently 17 Swedish players in the NCAA, a list that also includes prospects like Nicole Hall, Lisa Jonsson, and Tuva Kandell. Sweden's roster itself has several players who might soon be in the PWHL as well including Sara Hjalmarsson and Hannah Thuvik. Finland's PWHL core including Noora Tulus, Ronja Savolainen, and Susanna Tapani, and they'll be joined by Viivi Vainikka, Jenniina Nylund, and others in the not too distant future. Their national team cohort in the NCAA includes Nelli Laitinen, Julia Schalin, Sanni Ahola, Emilia Krykko, Krista Parkkonen, Siiri Yrjola, Sofianna Sundelin, Oona Havana, and soon Sanni Vanhanen. Finland does have the strongest core remaining in Europe, something that will need to chance if the nation wants to stay among the top teams globally.
A Unique Opportunity To Sell The League To Fans...And Players
The PWHL has stated repeatedly that they someday hope to play games in Europe. Hosting an event like this could be an opportunity to do that. The potential to interest more global fans is one feature of an event like this. The tournament could also host games in non-league markets like the Rivalry Series and PWHL Takeover Tour have done. More than this however, a series like this would be a unique opportunity to sell the league to potential players. Having players face off against PWHL players under PWHL rules would give them a taste of the calibre of play, allow players to see the fan response, and also, it would give PWHL general managers an opportunity to scout players head-to-head with existing PWHL talent.
There's no easy answer to how to move forward with the momentum busting, injury resulting Rivalry Series. But a league run event would at least allow the PWHL to gain the marketing, financial, and player pool benefits to offset the risks.