As fans prepare for the next season of the PWHL, some exciting news updates have been made this week. The off-season has been busy, from new potential team names to new hires to new arenas with updated capacity.
PWHL Teasing Team Names
On Thursday of last week, all six PWHL teams and the league teased an upcoming announcement on Monday, calling it a “new era” as they enter their sophomore season.
A new era is coming.
09.09.2024 pic.twitter.com/rPD4WBsZWT
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) September 5, 2024
Each team shared posts on X (formerly Twitter) with colours and a quirky phrase, perhaps hinting at what is to come. Based on the colours from the posts, no teams are changing their primary colour. Minnesota will keep purple, Boston with green, Toronto with blue, and so on. The announcement post led fans to believe a team name announcement was coming.
A cold front is rolling in on 09.09.2024 pic.twitter.com/Y50Da0ehQD
— PWHL Minnesota (@PWHL_Minnesota) September 5, 2024
Almost ready to rule the rink.
09.09.2024 pic.twitter.com/RIHTbtlPpT
— PWHL Toronto (@PWHL_Toronto) September 5, 2024
Last month, the PWHL did not meet its August deadline of getting the names situated. PWHL Ottawa’s general manager gave a timeline of mid-September for the name decision. Before the start of their inaugural season, the league had trademarked six names: Boston Wicked, Toronto Torch, Montreal Echo, Minnesota Superior, New York Sound, and Ottawa Alert, which were met with some negative reviews by fans.
Toronto and Montreal Move to New Home Arenas
PWHL Toronto announced this week that it will play its 2024-25 season at Coca-Cola Coliseum. It is the same barn as the Toronto Marlies. Toronto played at Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens, during year one.
“We are excited to be calling Coca-Cola Coliseum our home for the upcoming season,” said Gina Kingsbury, General Manager of PWHL Toronto, in the press release. “We look forward to creating an atmosphere that will be a unique and special sporting experience unlike anything else in Toronto. Our incredible fans sold out this historic venue during our playoff games last season and now we can’t wait to see and hear their infectious excitement again when we hit the ice for the 2024-2025 season.”
Montreal also announced a change of venue for their home games. The team will play at Place Bell, home of the Laval Rockets.
Last season, both teams played their playoff games at their new arenas before capacity crowds. Both arenas nearly double the seats of their former home rinks.
“We are ecstatic to welcome the PWHL back to Place Bell for a full season following their immensely successful debut last year,” said France Margaret Bélanger, President of Groupe CH Sports and Entertainment in the PWHL’s press release. “Over the course of hosting multiple record-setting PWHL Montreal games in our venues in 2024, we saw crowds create an electric atmosphere, once again demonstrating the strength of this hockey market. We are thrilled to have the PWHL call Place Bell ‘home.’”
PWHL Minnesota Names New GM
The reigning champions announced on Tuesday that Melissa Caruso is their next general manager. Caruso has an extensive background in hockey.
Prior to becoming GM, she served as the Vice President of Hockey Operations and Governance in the AHL. Caruso worked for the AHL for 15 years, from intern to her VP position.
PWHL Minnesota has announced Melissa Caruso as General Manager.
Caruso joins Minnesota from the AHL, where she spent 15 years.
📰 https://t.co/CXdS2GdSQV pic.twitter.com/IuuH2Ukczh— PWHL Minnesota (@PWHL_Minnesota) September 3, 2024
Main photo by: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
