Expansion, growing U.S. attendance top list of challenges for PWHL in year 2 [Video]

As the calendar turned to 2024, all eyes were on how the Professional Women’s Hockey League would establish itself in the sports marketplace.

In the league’s first week, the conversation centred around firsts and milestones, as attendance smashed expectations.

But this New Year’s Eve, most of the conversation was about a blockbuster trade between two Ontario rivals. Fans debated who won the trade, why both teams moved on from veteran defenders, and how it could change the look of their teams. 

It was a reminder that any player can be traded at any time, something that’s still a new concept in professional women’s hockey. But it was also a sign of how far professional women’s hockey has come in just 12 months.

“This probably showcases that this league is a professional league, and that every GM and organization will be always looking at trying to upgrade their performance in whatever way they think they can,” Toronto …