The PWHL could have more nations represented, and more international players than ever before when the league drops the puck on the 2026-27 season.
The PWHL continues to look to bring the best players from across the world together in one league. Heading into 2026-27, the PWHL could be more international than ever with players representing more nations than ever.
In the PWHL's inaugural season, the league saw players from 13 nations appear in a game. Canada and USA represented the bulk of the player pool, with Czechia (5) as the only nation with more than two players. But there were players from Sweden (2), Hungary (2), Switzerland (1), Japan (1), Italy (1), Germany (1), France (1), Finland (1), China (1), and Austria (1).
The PWHL"s second season actually saw a reduction in international representation, dropping to ten nations. Last season, that representation stayed at ten nations, but the number of players from key nations was growing. Czechia was up to nine players, Sweden and Finland five each, Russia for the first time had three players, Germany three, and Switzerland, Italy, and Austria two each.
Now a 12 team league entering 2026-27, the PWHL could enter not only with more nations represented, but more non-North American players than ever.
Czechia's representation is expected to climb to 11 players this season. For the first time, Finland could also hit double digits with as many as 10 players. Sweden could climb to eight players this season, while Russia and Germany will move to as many as five players each. Switzerland is likely to have four players, while Italy could also have four. Beyond these nations, players from Austria, Japan, Denmark, China, Hungary, Norway, and France could also earn roster spots. Should each of those nations, who all have players signed or attending training camps as free agent invites, win a spot, it would bring the PWHL's international total to 15 nations.
It's impressive growth for the league. There were players from other nations looking at the league, or who received invitations to training camps, but did not, for one reason or another, come to North America.
The PWHL's international spread will almost certainly continue to grow in the coming seasons with elite players from nations like Slovakia, Spain, Netherlands, Great Britain, and Poland beginning their international assent. Slovakia in particular has a growing cohort of NCAA standouts who will soon be PWHL eligible.
Overall, the 2026-27 season looks like it could be a record setting campaign for international talent playing in the PWHL.
