How The PWHL Will Impact National Team Selection

With the launch of the PWHL, national team coaches and managers will have new opportunities and avenues to assess players and select their rosters.

To date, Canadian and USA national teams had limited opportunities to assess their rosters against top competition. The Rivalry Series was the primary location those evaluations occurred.

When the puck drops on the PWHL season however, a more diverse group of players may find themselves participating in the Rivalry Series given their performance in the new professional league.

February's Rivalry Series stops will specifically have a new feel as most of the top Canadian and USA NCAA players will be unavailable, meaning top PWHL performers through the first month could earn the call.

Here's what Canadian head coach Troy Ryan and American coach John Wroblewski had to say about the PWHL impact on their national programs.