The PWHL is approaching a pair of substantial breaks in their schedule. The league will pause for five days beginning January 29, and a longer break which will allow North American players to compete in the Rivalry Series and European players to compete in the Euro Hockey Tour.
Speaking of Europe...there's a lot going on. Here's a look at what we're hearing and seeing this week in the PWHL.
Pressure In Europe
According to reports from players and team sources in Europe, pressure is beginning to mount from teams within the SDHL to retain their star players. This comes despite growing consensus that most of the world's top players are hoping to explore the PWHL as an option this offseason. The first move in the battle came with Petra Nieminen signing a two-year contract extension with Lulea. It's believed however, that Nieminen is among a smaller group of players who had no intent of pursuing the PWHL. Others, like Noora Tulus and Ronja Salvolainen stated in the media they were interested in exploring the PWHL. The biggest question marks out there will include players currently under contract in the SDHL who may want to terminate those contracts to come to North America. Players like Viivi Vainikka, Jenni Hiirikoski, Michelle Karvinen, and Emma Seitz are all under contract through next season. Lina Lungblom, whose PWHL rights are owned by Montreal was forced to stay in the SDHL this season, while Cami Kronish, who later signed with PWHL Boston broke her contract in the SDHL and returned to North America. The other consideration is how many European players can immediately crack PWHL lineups. Looking at who is out there, at least two dozen European players would likely step directly into top six or top four roles, another dozen who would challenge for depth roles.
Toronto making a cut?
Teacher's colleges across Ontario are wrapping up over the next two weeks. Not only will that send a new cohort into the classroom, but it will also make Victoria Bach available to PWHL Toronto when team's return from the PWHL 3-on-3 showcase break. Toronto is expected to find room for Bach in their lineup, as she was expected to be a top line player for Toronto. Her skill and speed will be welcomed additions on a Toronto team that has struggled early. Bach was one of Toronto's top performers in the PWHL Preseason. Adding Bach to the lineup however, would required Toronto to cut a current member of their roster. Jess Jones has been a healthy scratch multiple times this season and is a likely candidate, as she's scoreless playing in only four of Toronto's eight games this season.
Canadian Prime Minister Cheers On Ottawa
If you didn't see it, Justin Trudeau was among the crowd for PWHL Ottawa's 3-2 home loss to Boston. Trudeau did not sit in a box, he sat within the crowd and was seen cheering enthusiastically for PWHL Ottawa. Trudeau addressed the team prior to the game, donned an Ottawa jersey, and gave each player a fist bump as they entered the ice. Trudeau is the first head of state to visit a PWHL game.
Skills Competition Involvement
It hasn't been well publicized, but PWHL players will be participating in a variety of skills competitions and showcase opportunities this week. PWHL Ottawa players will be participating in the Ottawa Senators' "Sens Skills" event Sunday, January 28 at the Canadian Tire Centre. Brianne Jenner and Daryl Watts will compete with Team Tkachuk, while Emily Clark and Savannah Harmon will compete with Team Chabot. Of course 24 PWHL players will also be heading to NHL All-Star Thursday in Toronto this week to play a 3-on-3 Showcase at Scotiabank Arena. The timing is perfect following the PWHL's announcement of the "Battle on Bay Street" that will feature PWHL Montreal and PWHL Toronto February 16 at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto will also hold a skills competition of their own on February 8 outside at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
Are More Big Venue Neutral Site Games On The Way?
The February 16 "Battle on Bay Street" will hardly be 'neutral' as the game is scheduled for Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. It won't be the last neutral site announcement of the season however, as the league still has six games on the schedule with locations 'to be determined.' Speaking with PWHL board member Stan Kasten earlier this month, he confirmed to The Hockey News that the PWHL had finalized three neutral site games.
"You'll understand when we announce the neutral sites why we're doing what we're doing," Kasten said. In the case of Toronto, it's clear the league and team want to set another world record attendance mark for professional women's hockey.
It's expected the PWHL will also play a neutral site game in Pittsburgh this season on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.
While the six games marked as "TBD" are the most glaring candidates to become neutral site events, the Battle on Bay Street was originally a scheduled game at Mattamy Arena. The league cancelled that, and informed Mattamy's sold out crowd that they'd receive a priority pre-sale window to the Scotiabank Arena game, as tickets are scheduled to go on sale February 1.
Delays Continue On Merchandise And Jerseys
Watching Cami Kronish...err, Aerin Frankel step on the ice each week wearing Cami Kronish's jersey for PWHL Boston, it's clear the league's jersey provider is...slow. On the league website, jerseys for each of the PWHL's six teams have been sold out for weeks, but the more glaring issue, the fact the league can't replace a starting goalie's jersey for weeks on end, speaks to an issue in their supply chain. Similarly, Kasten told The Hockey News on January 13 that more merchandise would be out that week. Two weeks later, no new merchandise has arrived.
"This week have now rushed a new vendor, different line of merchandise out, so fans will start seeing new things that weren't available before, and within a week or so will also be available online," said Kasten at the time. "The hoodies that everyone has been asking for are going to be available...within the next week."
Injuries and Reserves
Amanda Leveille, Minnesota's third goalie, was placed on long term injured reserve this week, which enabled Minnesota to activate rookie Abigail Boreen from their reserve list. Boreen was stellar for Minnesota during the preseason, and made an impactful debut tying teammate Grace Zumwinkle for the with a game-high seven shots on net. She's the second reserve to make their PWHL debut following Montreal's Catherine Dubois.
Sandra Abstreiter also suffered an injury in PWHL Ottawa's 3-2 loss to Boston this week being forced from her net late in the first period.