As the PWHL season starts on Friday, November 21, it will crown its first back-to-back champions, the Minnesota Frost. Also, the league has expanded by two teams: the Seattle Torrent and the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
While the excitement of the new season is palpable, the PWHL should and will look to expand its league further. The growing popularity of the PWHL has gotten social media attention, drawn record numbers during this Takeover Tour, and shown that there is a market for women's hockey. So, here are three cities that could see a PWHL tema in the next round of expansion.
1. Buffalo
Putting a second team in the New York market makes sense, even if the New York Sirens play in New Jersey. Buffalo has been a hockey hotbed for over 50 years, whether it's the Sabres or hosting the World Juniors Championships, it would make sense to put a tema in western NY. You would have an instant rivalry with Toronto or even Ottawa; this would have a triangle of teams "close" to each other.
Now, in terms of where to play, I have two options. The first and logical solution would be the KeyBank Center, home of the Sabres. While doable, it could be a logistics nightmare with concerts and other events there. The second option would take them out of Buffalo, but to a more hockey-centric venue, Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid. The history of the 1980 Miracle on Ice venue, along with Central NY's hockey culture, would be an interesting fit for said team. A team called Buffalo would not be playing in Buffalo would not make sense, but then again, the New York Sirens playing New Jersey would.
2. Detroit
The past couple of times the PWHl has visited Lite Ceasers Arena, or as I call it, the Pizza Pizza Dome, they have drawn significant numbers. If the PWHL wants to continue planting its flags in the original 6 NHL cities, Detroit could be the next step. Detroit isn't called Hockeytown for nothing; the city loves its Red Wings, and I could see a PWHL team accepted into the Detroit sports hub.
Like PWHL Buffalo, the PWHL Detroit team would have an instant rivalry with the Toronto Six, and if the PWHL expanded to St. Louis or Chicago, rivalries would form there as well. My concern is where they would play. While they could play at Little Caesars Arena, they would have to work around not just the Red Wings but also the Detroit Pistons, concerts, and other events. Other sites could host AHL Griffins games in Grand Rapids, play at Van Andel Arena, or share the OHL team's arena.
3. Chicago
I was initially going to put Philadelphia here, but that didn't work, so let's stay with an original six city. Chicago has a lot of options for the tema to play along with Chicago's hockey history. The PWHL team could play at Allstate Arena, where the AHL Chicago Wolves play, and the occasional WWE show. With a major airport nearby, travel could work out well, along with occasional games at the United Center. My only problem is that there would be a team close by, with Detroit and St. Louis at least an hour in either direction. But that would mean the Midwest should be the next target region for PWHL expansion.
And there you have it: 2 cities where the PWHL should expand next. Where should they grow to? Check out the opening puck drop on the new PWHL season on November 21st.