The PWHL expansion process was certainly met with mixed reactions. For fans in Vancouver and Seattle, the PWHL's rule to only allow three players to be protected, and a fourth after relinquishing their first two of four players, was met with excitement. The two new teams have already welcomed five star players with Seattle signing Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, Cayla Barnes, Danielle Serdachny, and Corinne Schroeder, and Vancouver inking Sarah Nurse, Claire Thompson, Sophie Jaques, Emerance Maschmeyer, and Jennifer Gardiner.

For the rest of the league however, the PWHL's expansion rules devastated fan bases who feel the rules ripped apart the teams they'd come to love, unfairly favoring the two new teams without consideration for the league's existing fan base.

Overall, the reaction was negative, but let's start with the good. Here's a look at what PWHL fans thought about expansion.

Vancouver and Seattle Fans Thrilled

Fans Feel The League Doesn't Care

One of the overwhelming feelings reported by the PWHL's fan base is that the league does not care about the investment fans made financially, in merchandise, or in their support for the players. 

The feeling is that the expansion process gutted existing teams, and was poorly constructed from the beginning. 

Unfair Treatment To The Original Six

Aside from the impact to the fan base who felt isolated and devalued, much of the concern surrounding the PWHL expansion process related is how it disproportionately favoured Seattle and Vancouver while punishing the original six.

There's concern from fans that the teams they've supported for two seasons will fall to the bottom of the standings while two brand new teams will rise to the top immediately.