Detroit remains a frontrunner for PWHL expansion as the market continues to draw consistently large crowds, has support from the city's sporting community, and sits next to a large Canadian market.
Detroit, Michigan continues to check all of the boxes that the PWHL is looking for in their next round of expansion. Saturday, the league drew 15,938 fans to Little Caesars Arena, the most the city has welcomed in their four PWHL Takeover Tour stops to date.
Not only has the market continued to perform well in attendance, but an expansion bid, according to those familiar with effort to bring the league to Detroit, has the backing of the Detroit Red Wings' ownership, the Ilitch family.
And while Michigan does not have an NCAA Division 1 women’s hockey team at any of the institutions in the State, Michigan is a women’s hockey factory when it comes to producing talent and driving the United States' climbing girls and women's hockey registration numbers that this year hit 100,000 for the first time.
Another asset on Detroit's side is the proximity to a large Canadian fan base in Southwestern Ontario. Cities like Windsor and the rest of Essex County, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton, and London have the potential to bring over one million Canadians, who live less than two hours from Detroit into the PWHL's catchment.
“I think this market, ever since the first year, has done really well in these Takeover Tour games," said Michigan product Abby Roque who plays for the Montreal Victoire.
"I think Michigan wants a women's hockey team, definitely. I mean, the amount of young girls who were at the game, who play hockey in Michigan, it does seem to me like a perfect fit. It was really amazing to see the fans, how into it they are. Everybody had signs. It's a really passionate fan base, and I'm really excited if in the future, they get a team.”
The PWHL has stated they intend to expand by 2-4 teams in time for next season after expanding by two teams to Seattle and Vancouver this year.