PWHL Rumblings: Merchandise, Trophy, Neutral Site Games and More

The PWHL is off and running with incredible support early, but it's far from a finished product. Here's a look at some of the things happening including a championship trophy, neutral site games, merchandise, team names, and much more.

Another week of PWHL action is in the books and the response from fans and media across the board has been something unseen in the history of women's hockey.

Here's what we're seeing and hearing this week across the PWHL.

Speaking with Stan Kasten this week, it sounds as though progress has been made on designing and naming a championship trophy for the PWHL. While the league isn't ready to announce the name, or show off their hardware...yet, it's coming soon. While the league would have loved to have this aspect completed prior to puck drop, the focus continues to be on getting things done right, not just fast as league officials continue to reiterate. The league continues to work on this.

Fans want merchandise. The league wants to sell merchandise. Early on, options sold out online, and in arenas there were long lines. There was also critique of the generic options initially offered. According to Stan Kasten, "Merchandise is a big thing, especially in a new league."

Recognizing the importance of merchandise, the league has rushed to get more options and more designs available quickly.

"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. "The hoodies that everyone has been asking for are going to be available...within the next week."

Many may have assumed this, but there will be no PWHL hosted All-Star game this year the league confirms. The league's presence at the NHL All-Star Thursday this season, a three-on-three event, will be the only form of an all-star event the league will be involved with this season. 

The league does plan further all-star festivities in the future, but with the compacted schedule and international breaks built in, the timing to host an all-star game with or without the NHL did not work this season.

The PWHL had originally planned for two neutral site games this season, but they'll be adding a third neutral site game. The locations and details have yet to be announced, but according to Kasten, "You'll understand when we announce the neutral sites why we're doing what we're doing."

That sounds promising for exciting options ahead.

People are tracking every first recorded in the PWHL, but one notable first this week was the debut of Catherine Dubois as the PWHL's first reserve player. Not only did Dubois draw in, but she scored in her debut helping Montreal beat New York in decisive fashion. There are several reserves across the league many expected would be impact players including Victoria Bach (Toronto), Melodie Daoust (Montreal), and Claire Thompson (New York), but the depth in the professional women's game has never been more evident, and there are impact players waiting to claim roster spots. It will be interesting to see how Montreal deals with Dubois following her 10-day contract should she continue to make an impact.

Perhaps the most contentious conversation in the PWHL remains team names. As Kasten asserted, the most popular sport and leagues in the world such as England's Premier League, don't use nicknames, instead referring to team's by the city name alone. This idea was seen in the opening weeks of the season with fans cheering "let's go New York" and "let's go T.O." for their teams. That said, the league is actively working on finalizing team names and logos. While those names are likely to come this season, they may not come in time to meet the ravenous demand for merchandise.