PWHL Expands to New Markets
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to broaden its footprint, adding franchises in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose for the upcoming season. The move reflects the league’s ambition to bring elite women’s hockey to new markets across North America.
Roster Building Takes Shape
At the heart of this growth is a six‑phase roster‑building process that began this week, giving existing clubs the chance to sign and protect up to three players before the draft. The structured approach aims to preserve competitive balance while rewarding teams that have invested in development.
Seattle Torrent, one of the league’s original franchises, has taken an early step by agreeing to a three‑year contract with Alex Carpenter, a forward who led the team with 12 goals and 20 points last season. Carpenter’s skill set as an offensive catalyst has made her a cornerstone of the Torrent’s attack.
Beyond her club success, Carpenter capped the year with an Olympic gold medal at the 2026 Milan Games, where Team USA defeated a strong field to claim the top spot on the podium. The championship added a glittering accolade to a résumé that already includes multiple international tournaments.
In the league’s all‑time points list, Carpenter sits behind only Marie‑Philip Poulin and Taylor Heise, underscoring her place among the most prolific scorers in PWHL history. Her combination of speed, vision and clutch performance has drawn praise from coaches and analysts alike.
The expansion and strategic signings signal a decisive shift for the PWHL, which is positioning itself as a premier destination for the world’s best female hockey talent. With new markets, a clear roster framework and marquee players anchoring teams, the league looks poised for sustained growth.