With the 2024-25 PWHL season in the books, we look back at the top 10 stories that made headlines during the campaign. From the 2024 Draft to free agency, camps, on-ice play, expansion, individual performances, and championships, it was a year filled with highs (and lows) for the PWHL.
This list is based on the stories our readers engaged with most this season. Here's the top 10 stories from The Hockey News during the 2024-25 PWHL season.
1. Natalie Darwitz Ousted From Minnesota
No story drew the attention of readers leading up to the 2024-25 season more than the turmoil in Minnesota. Only days after closing the book on the inaugural Walter Cup final, scandal hit Minnesota as alleged back room dealing resulted in the firing of Minnesota legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Natalie Darwitz. Multiple reports placed coach Ken Klee and captain Kendall Coyne Schofield central to this issue, and it was only the start as reports of a "toxic" environment including allegations of racism and ableism stemming from coach Klee surfaced. Eventually, three more members of the coaching staff were let go, and a new staff was hired to surround Klee, and a new general manager, Melissa Caruso, was brought in. The hiring of a new GM and puck drop on the new season punctuated a portion of this saga. Luckily for the Minnesota Frost and their fans, Darwitz left the roster in strong shape and the team was able to add a new crop of impact players in the draft. Minnesota's inaugural salary structure was built in a way that enabled them to add another three-year star player midseason, and the foundation had already been poured for another Walter Cup run, which saw Minnesota win their second title in as many years.
2. PWHL Unveils Six Official Team Names
The excitement for PWHL branding was an ongoing story that was filled with fan predictions, and eventually, once names, logos, and jerseys were unveiled, resulted in a record setting season for merchandise sales for the league. The jerseys and names, had supporters and naysayers, but overall, the league's launch into branding was a smashing success. The newly announced Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa, Charge, and Toronto Sceptres quickly had cheers involving their new names, signs, and slogans added. It was a longer wait than expected, but worth it for fans.
3. Expansion Is Here
Vancouver became the PWHL's seventh franchise, quickly followed by Seattle as the league's eighth. West coast expansion was always in the plans, but the rapid expansion of the league after only two seasons was a surprise for some. Still, the league found themselves ahead of schedule for almost every metric including attendance, merchandise, sponsorships and more, and the player pool was bursting at the seams. The PWHL saw immediate support out west selling more than 10,000 season tickets between the two teams in the opening days following the announcements. And as exciting as this growth is, more is on the way for the league, which is rapidly etching their place among North America's most respected and followed pro sporting leagues.
4. PWHL Continues To Innovate Announcing More New Rules
In season one, the jailbreak, 3-2-1 point system, Gold Plan, pick you own opponent, absence of the trapezoid, repeat shootout shooters, and the reintroduction of bodychecking to the North American women's game were all innovations that brought excitement to the game, without angering traditionalists. This season, no rule was discussed more than the PWHL's No Escape Rule trapping players on the ice when their team is penalized. The PWHL reported increased power play efficiency on the first shift of the advantage, and teams began developing quick change tactics and training their forwards how to cover the point in a pinch. It was another interesting, and effective, alteration that didn't significantly change game play, but made for added excitement.
5. Blockbuster Trade Sees Four Move In Significant Swap
In season one, there were trades. But there were none that prepared fans for the deal that saw Savannah Harmon and Hayley Scamurra sent to the Toronto Sceptres in exchange for Jocelyne Larocque and Hayley Scamurra heading to the Ottawa Charge. By all definitions, it was the biggest and first blockbuster trade in the PWHL's young history. The result? Larocque was a key piece to the Ottawa Charge from the day she arrived providing a new edge and stability to their blueline as the Charge advanced to the Walter Cup finals. Bach ended as a bit piece sliding into Ottawa's 12-13 forward spot and may not be brought back. Harmon played top pairing minutes for the Toronto Sceptres and brought the mobile two-way game the Sceptres were looking for, even if it didn't result in much offensive output. Scamurra played solid two-way minutes in Toronto's middle six. It didn't work out for the Sceptres, but it's hard to say Toronto lost this deal either with the positive impact their acquisitions made.
6. Britta Curl-Salemme Draws Controversy
The boo birds started on Draft Day on home turf and didn't stop until Britta Curl-Salemme played her final road game this year. Fans were upset with the selection due to Curl-Salemme's online activity related to racism and transphobia. When she arrived on the ice, Curl-Salemme quickly proved she's capable of being one of the most talented and effective forwards in the league. It didn't stop the criticism however, as fans sought to protect the league as an inclusive and safe space for all fans, and players. Curl-Salemme's woes with fans continued after three separate suspensions for dangerous head contact via illegal hits and a high stick. She quickly became the league's all-time leader in suspensions. At the end of the year, Curl-Salemme owned the response saying she did not intend to change her game, and that she'd "rather play in front of a full crowd that's booing me than an empty one."
7. Draft Day Excitement Sees Fillier Go First
The 2024 PWHL Draft was the first of its kind for the league. It was a more proper entry draft compared to the inaugural draft that formed each of the six PWHL rosters. The 2024 Draft had plenty of intrigue topped by first overall selection Sarah Fillier, and first round picks Danielle Serdachny, Cayla Barnes, Hannah Bilka, Claire Thompson, and Julia Gosling. The incoming talent also includes a new wave of European players joining the league, but the excitement and hype for Fillier topped it all. She had a lengthy contract negotiation with the New York Sirens, who picked her first, but when Fillier hit the ice, she did not disappoint tying for the league lead in scoring as a rookie with Boston's Hilary Knight. She totalled 29 points in 30 games.
8. Poulin And Stacey Tie The Knot
Goal sirens sounding and wedding bells ringing. It was quite the year for Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. The Montreal Victoire linemates and Team Canada linemates became lifemates in September as they were married. The wedding had PWHL fans sharing photos and discussing the duo with no less fervor than if they'd been the royal couple themselves. Poulin went on to lead the league in goals this season with 19, and the Montreal Victoire ended the 2024-25 campaign as regular season champions.
9. Kessel Decides Not To Play
Fans were watching Amanda Kessel at the 2024 PWHL Draft. Obviously a first round impact player, Kessel slipped through round one, and round two, and so on until the second last pick of the PWHL Draft. That's when the bold Daniele Sauvageau and her Montreal team selected Kessel 41st overall. It was soon learned why Kessel slipped through as reports surfaced that she had no intent to play anywhere else in the PWHL other than with Boston. Montreal's pick remained savvy as it kept a league rival from adding a star for free. In the end, Kessel decided not to play and returned to her role with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. It was sad for the PWHL and women's hockey fans that one of the decade's biggest stars would not play in the league, but Kessel has a long career ahead and the decision was hers to make.
10. Attendance, Attendance, Attendance
There was a new American attendance record in Denver. Then another in Detroit on the highly successful PWHL Takeover Tour. The PWHL saw huge Canadian crowds in Vancouver, Quebec City, and Edmonton, and the league smashed all total attendance marks from last season, saw an across board increase, and welcomed their one millionth fan. Montreal, Toronto, Boston, and New York all saw attendance increases from year one, with Montreal and Toronto showing the largest boosts to their numbers moving into new venues. The critics have been silenced, and the boom of women's sports is evident in many leagues. The PWHL's attendance numbers are a testament to the shift in pro sports, and the stellar product the league is putting out.