Reflections on the PWHL Takeover Tour — Badgers are national champs

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Seattle stands out for Keller, Knight

Captain Hilary Knight didn’t hesitate to talk about Seattle when I asked her what her favorite memory of the tour has been.

“Seattle’s always a special place,” Knight said. “Obviously to have Sue [Bird] and Megan [Rapinoe], royalty, come to the game and support — it’s cool. [They] love women’s sports out there…so it was a great showing.” 

During a virtual press conference earlier this week, alternate captain Megan Keller told assembled reporters that every game has been great, but she enjoyed having a little extra time to explore Seattle.

“I think we probably had a little bit more to explore in Seattle, like an extra day there,” Keller said. “I think going to Pike Place and the fish market and getting to walk around down there [was memorable], but I think each stop has been special to be a part of and it’s fun to get to play in these new markets.”

Detroit a highlight for Kessel, Knight

While not technically part of the Takeover Tour, I allowed the Fleet members I spoke with to consider last year’s game in Detroit for their answer because it was a Takeover Tour game without the official title. Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel took me up on that, naming it her favorite game of the tour.

“I honestly think Detroit,” Kessel said. “I think because it was our first one. You’re in this inaugural year, you don’t have expectations and so I think they really just blew our socks off. It was so loud, I couldn’t even hear the lady that was coming on the bench in between periods asking me questions, and it was just a fantastic atmosphere.

“So I think that really resonates with me, but I think just overall, all these tours, they just allow us to grow as a team because you’re traveling together, you’re doing things that are outside of the ice, whether it be youth clinics or different things around the city. I think it’s special, I think those are the things these players are going to remember.”

While Seattle is the place that first came to mind for Knight, there was also a moment in Detroit that still sticks with her.

“Detroit was sick too,” Knight said. “When Taylor Swift started playing and everyone was erupting and going nuts, I was like this is insane.”

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Overall, the Fleet loved the Takeover Tour

The experience of the Takeover Tour as a whole is something that will not soon be forgotten by all members of the Fleet I spoke to. During the virtual press conference, Keller dug into why.

“As a player, it’s really exciting to go into these new markets and possibly maybe new markets for our league as it continues to grow,” Keller said. “It’s been really exciting thus far to go to these different places and see the amount of support and the fans that show up and cheer us on even when their city doesn’t have a team. You’ve heard a few cities already chant that they want teams so it’s pretty fun to be a part of and we’re excited to head to St. Louis.”

Forward Shay Maloney was also part of that virtual press conference and added that the excitement of each city has been infectious.

“I think kind of the most exciting part of it is how excited each city is that we’re there,” Maloney said. “Every single place that we’ve gone to has wanted expansion in their cities and to see that kind of excitement, it definitely gets us excited for the future and kind of where it can go from here.”

Maloney has also enjoyed simply getting the opportunity to see cities she’s never been to before.

“[I’ve] never been to Seattle until the Takeover Tour so it’s just the opportunity to see these different cities and see the amount of support all over the world,” Maloney said.

Links

The Wisconsin Badgers are 2025 national champions — The Victory Press

Kirsten Simms’ heroics powered the Badgers past the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 NCAA national championship.

Abby Roque scores first Michigan goal in PWHL History — The Ice Garden

Who doesn’t love a highlight-reel goal? You don’t want to miss this breakdown of the first PWHL “Michigan” goal, appropriately netted by Michigan native Abby Roque.

Bishop’s University Gaiters win their first ever USports national championship — The Ice Garden

Canada’s USports league also wrapped up their season this week, with a first-time champion being crowned. 

Kendall Coyne Schofield wants more for the next generation of mom-athletes — Front Office Sports

Kendall Coyne Schofield reflects on playing in the PWHL and the experience of being a mother and a professional hockey player.

The PWHL’s gender inclusion policy still a work in progress — The Ice Garden

The PWHL remains without a gender inclusion policy as the league emphasizes education with its players while trying to craft the overall policy.

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