The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) officially announced its two new franchises, Vancouver and Seattle, and launched the league’s first-ever expansion draft on June 9 in Ottawa. The addition of the two western cities marks a major step forward in the league’s rapid growth following its inaugural season.
Expansion Format
Each new franchise was granted a minimum of seven picks to build the foundation of a 12-player roster. The draft structure aims to balance team competitiveness while maintaining league parity, with all six original PWHL teams required to make players available.
The event, hosted live in Ottawa, aired at 8:30 p.m. ET and was backed by Upper Deck.
Protected Players
Each franchise was allowed to protect a limited number of players from selection. The Minnesota Frost, Toronto Sceptres, Ottawa Charge, Boston Fleet, New York Sirens, and Montréal Victoire all secured key pieces of their cores.
Among the protected were star forwards Marie-Philip Poulin (Montréal), Sarah Fillier (New York) and Kendall Coyne Schofield (Minnesota), signaling just how seriously teams are taking roster preservation. Still, not every top-tier talent could be shielded, which left room for surprise selections by the expansion clubs.
Toronto and Boston notably left one spot on their protection lists unannounced ahead of the draft, fueling speculation over last-minute decisions and strategic maneuvering.
League Impact
The addition of Vancouver and Seattle strengthens the PWHL’s North American footprint and introduces a new West Coast rivalry. While many fans celebrated the expansion, others braced for emotional goodbyes as beloved players were scooped up by the newcomers.
Still, league officials and fans alike view this expansion as a sign of positive momentum in women’s sports. The PWHL, which has already garnered international attention for its competitive level and visibility, now has a greater platform to inspire the next generation of athletes.
As teams start their off-season training with new lineups, the puck is already dropping on a new era for women’s professional hockey.
