The competition was fierce in Utica, ticket sales are surging, signings continue, and a growing number of injuries will impact opening night. Ian Kennedy looks at all the happenings from across the PWHL.

It's the most wonderful time of the year for women's hockey fans. The PWHL is on the verge of launching, rosters are taking shape, and tickets are on sale just in time for the holiday season.

There's a lot going on across the PWHL, here's a look at what we're hearing this week.

Injury Issues Will Impact Season Opener

Some were surprised to see Minnesota sign 14 forward, particularly with Abby Boreen still unsigned, who arguably outperformed a group of already signed players in Minnesota like Clair DeGeorge, Brooke Bryant, and Clair Butorac in camp. But the truth is, Boreen could still find herself under contract in Minnesota with Sydney Brodt, Susanna Tapani, and Grace Zumwinkle all sidelined. It's now been determined that the injury to Brodt, presumed to be an ankle or lower leg injury, will keep her out for months. Zumwinkle looked to injure her shoulder, which if any kind of separation or collarbone injury occurred, could also hold her out through the opening week of the season, and Tapani entered concussion protocol after Blayre Turnbull sent her crashing into the goalpost. She's likely to return in time for the season to begin.  Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz believes her team has the versatility to manage the injuries, particularly with Sophia Kunin and Tapani, who she believes can also play on the blueline this year. Minnesota was not the only team that was dealing with injuries in camp. Madison Packer, who is expected to sign with PWHL New York, remained out with a shoulder injury, but didn't look too far off from a return in her practice reps. Micah Zandee-Hart will certainly miss the season opener for New York as well, and likely the opening 3-4 weeks of the year, but she also looked sharp on her feet during practice. The final injury of of note is with Montreal's Erin Ambrose, who went down in Canada's last Rivalry Series contest. The injuries mounting, coaches and general managers will wait and watch anxiously as star players depart for the December Rivalry Series games.

It's Akane Time In Ottawa

Don't expect to see Akane Shiga headed anywhere but the ice in Ottawa, and across the PWHL this season. She opened eyes at the PWHL Preseason Camp among opponents, and has deeply endeared herself to teammates. From a net front drive that nearly beat New York's netminder in her first shift, to a late hit against Shiga that sent the Ottawa bench into a furied frenzy on Thursday, this team loves Shiga. It's a clear message that to be a 'best-on-best' league, the PWHL is going to need to find ways to attract European talent, which according to sources is going to be a difficult task when it comes to veteran stars playing in Europe. Either way, for now, it looks like it's Akane time in Ottawa.

Ticket Sales Are Soaring

It may be different across the league, but Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa have seen surging ticket sales since season ticket and half season packages went on sale. Toronto sold out their season ticket memberships, but it you look at the seating charts for Verdun in Montreal and TD Place in Ottawa, it's obvious the response in these cities could end up being stronger than Toronto, since those facilities seat more fans. Complete sections of the Verdun Auditorium are nearing capacity, and Ottawa's season ticket sales would already be a sell out in just about every PHF venue from last year. American markets are lagging behind, but all have established a strong following and there's optimism that even in a shortened inaugural season, the league is on solid ground for securing and growing a fan base. In Utica, the Preseason Fan Fest brought in a solid crowed of enthused fans, particularly given the fact the game was played on a Tuesday...in Utica. 

Spooner, Coyne Schofield Finding Their Way Back

The final Preseason Camp game in Utica saw the return of Natalie Spooner to Toronto's lineup. She's been taking a paced approach to her full time return, balancing being a new mom and preparing for the season. The same goes for Kendall Coyne Schofield, who unlike Spooner didn't play at the 2023 World Championships. Coyne Schofield is skating 4-5 times per week but has yet to join PWHL Minnesota's roster fully. She didn't travel to Utica, instead taking extra time postpartum in preparation for the season. It's a welcomed sign the league is serious about caring not only for players, but families now and into the future.

Utica Was No Regular "Scrimmage"

The league deemed Utica a Preseason Evaluation Camp filled with "scrimmages," but it was clear this was in name only. Stats were collected, broadcasting fine tuned, but more importantly the competition was ferocious. Players were taking no prisoners on the ice with full on body contact and checking taking place all over. Toronto's Blayre Turnbull set the pace in the opening game for this, and in New York and Ottawa's Fan Fest game, you could audibly hear the crowd's excitement each time players crashed into the boards, when post whistle scrums escalated, and as bodies slid across the ice following collisions. The games were fast and physical, filled with the delayed gratification of months away from serious competition for players. When the puck drops in January, there will be no love lost on the ice. Off the ice, fans will see the exact opposite, in a unified group of players who showed themselves to be accessible to fans, and articulate in a way few in men's hockey will ever reach when it comes to engaging with fans and media. 

Bye Bye Bias

The PWHPA claimed to have all the best players in the world, but that messaging was washed away in Utica as many of the most noticeable performers were from the PHF. It showed that without the combination of the two groups, an elite league of this calibre would have never been possible. It goes the other way as well. Although the PHF never claimed to be the lone location of elite talent, without the PWHPA's players, the skill level on the ice would never have reached this level. From the PHF, Elizabeth Giguere led the preseason in assists, while Emma Woods led the preseason in goals. Corinne Schroeder was first star for her incredible performance on Fan Fest night, and Loren Gabel closed out the week as the first star of Boston's camp closing win. Meanwhile, Jessie Eldridge was the week's top scorer as a PWHPA alumni. Top to bottom, the league looked fast and skilled, but it's time to say 'bye bye bias' because the previous messages are gone, and the proof is in the pudding.