BC hockey fans, have you heard the news?
On Wednesday, April 23rd at 11 a.m., the board of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) hosted a crowd of fans, city officials, supporters and local girls’ teams in Vancouver for a special announcement.
The announcement revealed that Vancouver is officially joining the list of teams in the PWHL’s first league expansion, and will take part in the 3rd season next year with the Pacific Coliseum (located on the property of the PNE) and PNE Agrodome as their home barns!
Tessa Bonhomme, a television sports reporter for The Sports Network (TSN), co-host of the Jocks in Jills podcast, and former professional ice hockey player, was the MC for this event.
She commented on how history continues to be made, and everyone that tuned in and continues to support the PWHL is a part of that, including hockey legends and those newly invested in the sport.
To help deliver the official announcement, the PWHL welcomed the U11 Vancouver Angels—a team of young female hockey players—to the stage.
Their team had the pleasure of experiencing the electric energy at the PWHL Vancouver arena takeover game in January, which saw the Toronto Sceptres vs. Montréal Victoire game.
“It was the coolest day ever…it felt like anything was possible,” said one of their 9-year-old players.
“It was at that game that we made it clear that we want a PWHL team, and today, we are so excited because right here in Vancouver, we got a team!”
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Bonhomme added that this expansion underlines the importance of uplifting women in sports, and giving communities and young girls the opportunity to dream big.
Also invited to the stage was sports industry veteran and one of the key leaders in the PWHL’s momentum, Executive Vice President of Business Operations Amy Sheer.
In speaking on Vancouver as their choice to be the 7th PWHL team and first of the expansion, Sheer said it all started eight months ago when the board got together to discuss where they wanted to go with this, and what was important to them.
“Coming here, to the third largest market in Canada [felt] really important…[The] fanbase is engaged, it’s vibrant and fun, and out of all of our nine takeover tour games, the social engagement for [Vancouver] was the highest of all the nine cities we played in.”
Sheer also mentioned the team with the PNE, and how their dedication and commitment to ensuring a Vancouver PWHL team will thrive, served as another huge reason Vancouver felt like the right choice.
“We are fully committed to Vancouver…you will be so impressed with our athletes and the level of hockey that you have here,” said Sheer.
“We promise you, it’s going to be love at first puck drop.”
All of the speakers present at Wednesday’s event highlighted ways in which women’s hockey has come a long way and continues to grow and expand to reach new audiences. The excitement for women’s professional hockey is contagious, and they’re all excited to see where it goes.
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For more on PWHL, newly dropped Vancouver merch, playoff game schedules and more, check out the PWHL official website.
