During her early days playing hockey, 16-year-old Emma McLeod dreamed of representing Team Canada or making it to the NHL, just like her teammates. Now, she sees a new opportunity to aspire to playing in the professional women’s league, which she finds incredible. The Hamilton Hawks U18 defender expressed her excitement about a new PWHL team coming to her city, describing Hamilton as a hockey-centric community with around 350 female players aged six to 22. Previously, these players had to look up to role models from Toronto, but having a team nearby will be a welcome change.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League recently announced its expansion to Hamilton and Las Vegas, following a previous expansion to Detroit. With the addition of these new teams, the league now comprises 11 teams, with plans for further expansion. This comes after the announcement of another hockey team, the Bridgeport Islanders, moving to Hamilton earlier this year.
The AHL and PWHL teams are set to play at TD Coliseum, a recently renovated arena in downtown Hamilton. Season ticket deposits are now available for both teams, with AHL single-game tickets priced around $30. The league has not disclosed ticket prices for individual PWHL games.
New Team Training Location
A press conference held at the arena revealed that the new PWHL team will train at the Morgan Firestone Arena in Hamilton’s Ancaster neighborhood. The City of Hamilton stated that the arena will offer community-focused activities, including clinics and youth engagement, while accommodating the five existing organizations that use the facility.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath mentioned that minor renovations are planned for the training facility, contrasting with the more extensive renovations scheduled for the Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena in Waterdown, where the AHL team will train. The new team’s name will be announced on May 21.
The PWHL announced the addition of Hamilton, Ont., to its expanding league. Hamilton will join Detroit and Las Vegas as expansion teams that will compete in the 2026/2027 PWHL season.
Local residents outside TD Coliseum expressed their enthusiasm for the new women’s team, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in sports. The previous PWHL game in Hamilton drew over 16,000 spectators, with a majority being first-time PWHL attendees, indicating a strong regional interest in women’s hockey distinct from other major cities.
The PWHL highlighted Hamilton’s strong tradition in girls’ hockey and the community’s longstanding support for a professional team. Further details on team expansions, roster building, and integration into the upcoming draft will be disclosed in the following weeks.
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