The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is confronting a prolonged offseason that stretches far beyond the short two‑week preseason it currently offers, leaving its athletes without the structured development opportunities that have long been a staple of men's professional hockey.
For many of the league’s rising stars, the months between seasons are marked by uncertainty about contract extensions, limited ice time, and a lack of organized camps where they can refine their skills.
Only a handful of players, such as Abbey Murphy, Chloe Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer, are invited to the Edmonton Oilers' NHL Development Camp, underscoring how few pathways exist for women to receive the same level of evaluation as their male counterparts.
In contrast, National Hockey League (NHL) prospects attend development camps immediately after the draft, using the time to showcase their abilities to general managers and coaches before signing contracts.
The PWHL's preseason lasts just two weeks, providing scant practice sessions and a handful of exhibition games, which makes it difficult for teams to assess new draft picks and free‑agent invites.
Introducing formal development camps could give PWHL players a chance to familiarize themselves with teammates, meet training staff, and measure their performance against overseas competition, while also giving GMs and coaches their first real look at talent.
Such a shift would align the women's league with the professional standards that have defined men's hockey for decades, fostering a more stable environment for contracts and career planning.
A pathway forward
If the league embraces development camps, the offseason could transform from a period of uncertainty into a catalyst for growth, positioning women's hockey alongside the established structures that have long powered the NHL.