Jayna Hefford discusses the interest the PWHL has received in regards to expansion, and says the league will continue to discuss timing and locations. The NHL has made it clear that they'll do almost anything to avoid a return to Quebec City. It's unlikely the PWHL rules out Quebec City as quickly, as the city has a rapid hockey following, and the 18,259 seat Videotron Centre sitting without a professional tenant. While we all wait for news on expansion, which PWHL senior vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford says is in discussion, cities across North America, and perhaps Europe, will all be looking to lure PWHL neutral site games. That includes Quebec City, where advocates have been vocal about their desire for a PWHL game in the capital of Quebec. Seeing the 14 game's listed for season ticket holders at Place Bell in Laval for the Montreal Victorie, Quebec City councillor Jackie Smith doesn't want game 15 to be place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, she wants it in Quebec City. "We are working hard to mobilize the community [and] transmit the enthusiasm for women's hockey in Quebec," she said in a translated interview with Radio-Canada [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2102544/hockey-feminin-jackie-smith]. "Today I am calling on people to mobilize and ensure that the LPHF hears the name of Quebec resonate in its offices," Smith said recently at a press briefing [https://www.lesoleil.com/actualites/actualites-locales/la-capitale/2024/09/06/on-nous-envoie-les-kings-on-veut-aussi-les-queens-2RSU4OA4W5CU5HEPPLNNULW47M/] at Place Jean-Béliveau. "Quebec is a natural market for hockey. Give us a game at the Videotron Centre and we will fill the amphitheatre." Smith has been advocating to others in Quebec City to abandon the pursuit of an NHL team, that looks more and more unlikely each year, and to rather shift the city's attention to attracting a PWHL franchise permanently. The beginning of that courtship could be through a neutral site game. "I am appealing to citizens who have an interest [to] send a clear message to the [professional women's hockey] league that we want a team here, and that will happen through a hockey game," she said. Smith believes Quebec City is ready for a new professional hockey team, and that the rivalry it would build, not only with other Canadian teams, but in particular with Montreal, would drive ticket sales. Quebec City is set to host a pair of NHL exhibition games next month.
