The league announced this week that each franchise may only bring 19 players to pre‑season camp, a shift from the open‑ended rosters of previous years. The change was driven by the desire to reduce last‑minute cuts and to create a more predictable path to the regular season.
A tighter roster rule
In the 2024‑25 season several clubs exceeded the informal limit, forcing them to trim their lists after camp opened. The new regulation codifies the cap, meaning teams will now enter camp already aware of the exact number of contracted spots available.
Because the limit is fixed, more athletes will report to camp without a guaranteed contract. Those players will compete for the remaining places, adding a layer of uncertainty but also a fresh source of talent for the league.
Calendar convergence
Training camps are slated to begin in November, coinciding with the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships in Denmark, which run from November 6‑16. The timing was the result of a joint effort between the IIHF and the PWHL to avoid clashes with other international competitions.
The alignment means that players called up for the world event will miss the early stages of camp, while others will use the overlap to showcase their abilities in a high‑profile setting.
The PWHL has emphasized that this rule is the only operational adjustment publicly disclosed beyond the collective bargaining agreement. All other policy matters remain under negotiation.
Among those heading to camp without a contract are several recognizable names from the current roster of talent, including Loren Gabel, Chloe Aurard‑Busbee, Elizabeth Giguère, Jessica Adolfsson, Emma Bergesen, Logan Angers and Brianna Brooks. Each will look to impress coaches during the limited evaluation period.
Teams will still retain the ability to release players from the 19‑person list during camp, but the new framework reduces the need for abrupt cuts after the camp concludes.