The PWHL sees their scheduled preseason camp in Utica as a "unique opportunity" to finalize rosters, and work on their game day activities.
The PWHL sees their scheduled preseason camp in Utica as a "unique opportunity" to finalize rosters, and work on their game day activities.
The PWHL sees their inaugural preseason camp as a unique opportunity to evaluate the product on the ice, work out any issues, and plan for the regular season. Bringing all the teams together for a five day camp in Utica, New York from December 3-7 is a unique opportunity for all involved.
"Certainly we all believe it's a really unique opportunity to bring all the teams together," said PWHL senior vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford. "In year one it gives us an opportunity to work through a lot of things."
Those items include being able to educate all athletes related to issues like concussions and doping.
Not only that, but with the unique nature of building rosters from scratch this season, the centralized preseason will give coaches and GM's "a chance to see the players in a game situation," and also to scout other players who may become available in the final waiver period to complete the roster building process.
From a league perspective, including game day operations and marketing, Hefford also sees this as a chance to work out any issues before the regular season.
"We have an opportunity to try some things and make sure that when we launch in January, we're ready to go," she said.
Whether or not this will become an annual event will depend on how this year goes, and what benefits the league finds in this camp.
Watch Hefford's full comments above.