PWHL celebrates one-year anniversary — Five considerations for Year 2

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On Aug. 29 the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) celebrated its official one year anniversary. Over the last 365 days the league has accomplished an incredible amount. From rosters to building fanbases to awarding the first-ever Walter Cup, the PWHL has lots to be proud of.

Moving into Year 2 of the PWHL, I’m wondering what the list of accomplishments will look like in another year’s time. So with that I bring you my list of five things I think the PWHL needs to accomplish in year two.

Names, logos, jerseys

This one is obvious.

It’s been in the works for awhile and it’s difficult to attend a press conference with league leadership without the question of when team names, logos and jerseys will be coming. As we all know, the PWHL played season one with generic jerseys with each city’s name across the front. Each team had their own specific color scheme, but that was about all they gave us in terms of individual team branding.

It’s been reported that names, logos and jerseys will be coming sometime in September ahead of the new season. Fingers crossed it comes sooner than later.

Consistent home arenas

Another obvious one, but so incredibly valuable.

PWHL Ottawa played every single one of its home games at TD Place and saw the benefits of it immediately. From packed crowds to an incredibly high level of in-game experience, it was obvious that having a consistent rink inside the heart of the hometown city was valuable.

PWHL New York was on the complete other end of the arena spectrum in Year 1 — and heck, let’s all admit it negatively impacted the team on the ice. The New York team split time during their home games in Connecticut, Long Island and New Jersey. The lack of consistency and the issues with accessibility to most home games caused ticket sales to plummet and home crowds lacking in energy. 

As the league heads into its second season, getting every team to have a consistent and solid place to host their home games is an absolute must.

Mascots

Okay this one is selfish.

I think mascots are fun. They provide some more fun to the in-game experience, bring additional entertaining content online and are, like I said, fun.

Every hockey league needs more fun added to it. With the addition of names and logos, I hope mascots come right after it. In the past we’ve seen Kipling of the Toronto Six and the Toronto Furies. Look at how much joy Kipling brings. Now that is something the PWHL needs in Year 2. 

Better merch 

In Year 1 the PWHL had merch — it was both available online and in arenas during games. Overall the merch was fine. It got the job done for the inaugural season. The biggest thing the league’s merch lacked in its first season was inclusive sizing. Most of their merch only ever went up to XL which is just bad business no matter what kind of brand you are.

In the league’s second year and with the addition of individual team branding, the sky is truly the limit for merch for the PWHL. 

An all-star weekend

If you’re going to market your league as the best players in the world all coming together in one league then a weekend dedicated to the league’s best participating in a skills competition and an all-star game are beyond needed.

Several national team players participated in the NHL All-Star Game this past season which, on the surface level, was fine and sort of fun. But the PWHL needs to carve out time to have its own all-star weekend.

An all-star weekend is also a great time to test out other cities for expansions in future years.