PWHL Rumblings: Training Camp Week Is Here

While many members of PWHL teams have been unofficially skating together for weeks, the first time all members of the PWHL will step on the ice together is now only days away.

Here's a look at what we're hearing from across the PWHL heading into camps.

While they're still calling her a training camp invite online, it sounds as though Maddie Rooney has signed to play with PWHL Minnesota. The signing would re-unite Rooney with USA national team netminder Nicole Hensley, as the pair know each other well from international competition and USA's national program.

Rooney went undrafted in the PWHL Draft, while Minnesota selected Hensley and Amanda Leveille. Leveille however, was a league mandated pick as part of the league's compassionate circumstances program. 

Rooney was one of three members of the PWHL Minnesota organization to attend the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Face-off Classic this week between St. Thomas and Minnesota State, hinting at her involvement in the organization beyond being a camp invitee.

Don't count out Leveille, who will likely remain as a reserve player with the team, or sign as the team's third goaltender.

Speaking to general managers and coaches across the league, the strategies in place related to making the final selections at camp, and to signing players prior to camp have varied to some extent.

One GM stated they wanted to enter camp with most of their players signed, even if they weren't announced, because it benefited to players. This sentiment was backed up by other GMs who recognized that players would receive more financial support and benefits as a signed player entering camp, even if their final roster spot was not guaranteed since only the six three-year contracts are guaranteed. 

One major mention in this conversation with team staff was that if a player were to be released during camp, or leading up to the season, signed players would have received their full housing stipend and would be eligible for severance pay, while unsigned players would not during the months leading up to the season.

While camp hasn't even opened yet, all eyes will be on November 29. That's the date all teams will need to make their first cuts before. By that date, all teams must reduce their roster size to 27 players. In Boston, that only equates to the release of two players, while other teams like New York, will need to release 6-7 players.

The first waiver window opens between November 2 and December 2. Teams will then have another week to reduce their roster to 23 players. Any player not offered a contract will be eligible for a second waiver window prior to rosters officially being set in mid-December.