By SCN Sports Desk
DETROIT — Women’s professional hockey is officially coming to Hockeytown after the Professional Women's Hockey League announced Detroit as its newest expansion franchise for next season.
The decision strengthens the league’s growing presence in the United States and reflects Detroit’s strong support for women’s hockey, with several successful neutral-site games already drawing large crowds at Little Caesars Arena.
League officials said Detroit’s partnership with the Ilitch family — owners of the Detroit Red Wings — played a key role in securing the expansion team.
PWHL executive vice president Amy Scheer praised the city’s hockey culture, saying Detroit showed “passion” for the league from the beginning and called it the “perfect place” for expansion.
The league revealed that Little Caesars Arena will serve as the team’s home venue. Four PWHL games played there over the past two seasons attracted more than 53,000 fans combined, including nearly 16,000 spectators during a nationally televised game earlier this year.
The PWHL also confirmed Detroit will host the league’s draft and awards ceremony in June, featuring a highly anticipated rookie class led by American Olympic stars including Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards.
Detroit becomes the league’s ninth franchise following last year’s expansion into Seattle and Vancouver. League officials have also hinted that up to four additional expansion teams could still be announced in the coming weeks.
Cities reportedly under consideration include Denver, Las Vegas, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Quebec City, and Halifax as the league continues its rapid growth across North America.