The PWHL will visit Detroit this week, which could serve as a test for the market as a permanent home for a future PHWL franchise.

It's been known as Hockeytown since the Detroit Red Wings' reign in the 1990s, and there's reason to believe that Detroit, Michigan could provide a perfect spot for a PWHL expansion franchise in the future.

This week, the PWHL will make their first ever stop in the city with PWHL Boston taking on PWHL Ottawa at Little Caesars Arena March 16 as part of the league's "PWHL Takeover Weekend."

It's likely the PWHL is using the game as a test for the market, which longterm, could fit as an American expansion destination. Here's four reasons why Detroit makes sense for the PWHL.

1. Proximity to Canada

Detroit borders the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario via the Detroit Tunnel, Ambassador Bridge, and soon, the Gordie Howe Bridge. With more than 225,000 people in Windsor itself, and 342,000 in the metro Windsor area, it's a major boost that the Red Wings have received for decades. Canadian teams have thrived in the PWHL this season, so placing the next American franchise on a border accessible to both Canadian and American fans seems like a wise decision. A border series playing a game or two each season against a Canadian team at the 6,450 seat WFCU Centre in Windsor to compliment home games at Little Caesars Arena would make for a fabulous path to grow fan involvement.

2. Michigan is a women's hockey hotbed

Ignore the fact that there are seven men's NCAA Division I programs in Michigan and zero women's hockey programs at the NCAA DI level. The state itself is a hotbed for women's hockey. Currently, five members of the PWHL hail from Michigan including Boston's Shiann Darkangelo, Megan Keller, and Taylor Girard, and New York's Madison Packer and Abby Roque. That represents nearly 10% of all American players in the league. It would not be surprising to see defender Skylar Fontaine, who is currently playing in Switzerland, join the PWHL ranks next season. Beyond these current pros, Michigan's prospect production continues. Among the NCAA's top 30 scorers out of nearly 1000 players nationally, Kirsten Simms, Morgan Neitzke, Elyssa Biederman, Elle Hartje, and Anna Segedi all were born and trained in Michigan. There are thriving women's hockey programs across the state with Belle Tire, Little Caesars, and Honeybaked which have a combined more than 40 players currently in NCAA DI hockey.

3. Naming Options Are Endless

Detroit is a city that has a strong history of women making contributions across the board, meaning the city might be able to avoid a situation like the PWHL did in their first naming attempts. The PWHL could welcome the Detroit Supremes (or Supreme if they want to stick with singular names) in honor of the all-woman Motown group. Perhaps the team could go by the Detroit Thorns paying tribute to the etymology of Rosa Parks' name, whose civil rights advocacy in the city spearheaded reform. The city also had many "Rosie's" during world wars as working women kept the Motor City moving. Rose Will Monroe, who came to Detroit during WWII, was one of the most wildy recognized "Rosie's" of the era with advertisements, posters, and films showcasing her contributions building B-24 bombers. Perhaps we'll see a return of the beloved Metropolitan Riveters logo in a new location? The Detroit Riveters would be a pretty amazing name as well. Michigan's ties to women who shaped the city, state, and country is undeniable from Parks to Sojouner Truth and Ruth Ellis, to "the first lady of Detroit", Marie-Therese Guyon Cadillac.

4. It's a geographic home run

Detroit would be the western-most franchise in the PWHL aside from Minnesota. Any club however, whether it's Detroit, or Chicago in the future, that helps bridge the gap for Minnesota is a win. The two hour flight would be Minnesota's shortest, and there's a natural rivalry between Detroit and Toronto fans that exists in almost every sport imaginable as the two cities are a short bus ride down the 401. If you look at the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings play in the Atlantic Division alongside Boston, Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, four of the PWHL's existing six cities. And again, the border tie to Canada is another geographic bonus. Eventually the PWHL will want to head west, and while Detroit is not that, it's a bridge to further expansion, and provides easy travel with one of America's busiest airports ready to service the league.