The PWHL could split into two conferences and play a 32-game season starting in December. Meanwhile, an October 1 deadline for team staff to be in their markets is raising questions, as are Team Canada’s newly announced appointments ahead of November’s World Championship.
It’s the end of September, and the start of the 2026–27 PWHL season is still two months away. But with fall upon us, I’m starting to hear some rumblings around the league.
Let’s start with a possible change to the league’s structure. Word around the league is that the 12 teams could be split into two divisions or conferences. One would include Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Boston and New York. The other would feature Detroit, Minnesota, Vancouver, Seattle, Las Vegas and San Jose.
For the first time, each team would play 32 games, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. Teams would face each club in the other conference twice, once at home and once on the road, and each of the five other teams in their own conference four times.
The season would begin on either the first or second weekend of December.
None of this has been confirmed, and plans could change before the season begins. There’s also no word yet on the playoff format or when the full schedule will be released.
Staff in Team Markets Earlier
Another thing I’ve heard repeatedly over the past few weeks is that, back in July, the PWHL told team staff — general managers, coaches, trainers and others — they would need to be in their team’s market by October 1, which wasn’t a requirement before.
Why? That remains unclear. The explanation given, I’m told, was that the league wants to operate more professionally.
Players who don’t already live in their team’s market aren’t expected to arrive until about a week before training camp. Even those who live locally can’t take the ice with their teams until they’ve completed their physical testing, which isn’t scheduled until November. So why does the staff need to be there so much earlier? What work couldn’t be done by phone or over Zoom in the meantime?
For staff members who already live locally, the requirement changes little. For those who would have to relocate, it’s a different story. I’m also hearing that the league initially wanted everyone in place by September 1 before settling on October 1.
With the World Championship coming up in November, another question remains unanswered: Does the October 1 requirement apply to team staff who will also be working with Team Canada? That includes Danièle Sauvageau, Caroline Ouellette, Kori Cheverie, Kris Sparre, Manon Rhéaume and Mike Hirshfeld.
If the league wants to operate more professionally, I’d argue it should focus on finalizing the schedule, conference alignment and playoff format before requiring staff to be in their team’s markets months ahead of the season.
Team Canada Appointments Raise Conflict Questions
Team Canada’s appointments are already drawing scrutiny around the league. When Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan held those same roles with Team Canada, some people behind the scenes raised concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Less than an hour after today’s announcement, I heard similar questions about the new appointments. Montreal Victoire’s general manager, head coach and assistant coach now hold the corresponding roles with Team Canada. People will be watching closely to see who is invited to camp and who makes the final roster.
The World Championship runs from November 6 to 16, with exhibition games scheduled for late October. ed for late October.
