What to know for the PWHL's second season
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It's a big week for the Professional Women's Hockey League. Final roster cuts are due today, and the league's second season launches Saturday with a doubleheader in Toronto and Montreal.
Here's a look at what's new around the PWHL:
Fresh looks
The most obvious change for the 2024-25 season is that all six teams now have nicknames, logos and distinctive uniforms. The league came together so quickly last year that there was no time to outfit the players in anything but bland, cookie-cutter jerseys that didn't match the excitement around the new venture.
A full re-brand finally dropped in September as the franchises were rechristened the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres, giving each club is own unique identity (though that Sceptres logo does look familiar).
More games, bigger venues
The regular season is expanding from 24 to 30 games per team, and half the clubs are moving into larger arenas.
The Sceptres will play in Toronto's 8,000-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum after outgrowing the 2,500-capacity Mattamy Athletic Centre, while the Victoire are making the 10,000-seat Place Bell in Laval Que., their primary home after playing some games at the much smaller Verdun Auditorium in Montreal. The Sirens are moving to the New Jersey Devils' arena after splitting their home games between three different arenas.
No. 1 overall draft pick Sarah Fillier should help New York fill some seats after potting 30 goals in 29 games in her final college season at Princeton. The 24-year-old forward was the MVP of the 2023 women's