PWHL

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Not going to pretend that I’ve watched much women’s hockey through the years, but I’m curious to see how well this new “Original Six” league does.  New York is getting one of the six teams:

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-professional-womens-hockey-league-to-launch-in-january-2024/c-345693470

[NJDevils1214]

Best of luck to them but I don't see it working unless the NHL commits to helping them. There's not a market for what they're trying to sell, but maybe I'm wrong.

[bostondevil11]

6 hours ago, NJDevils1214 said:

Best of luck to them but I don't see it working unless the NHL commits to helping them. There's not a market for what they're trying to sell, but maybe I'm wrong.

If I still lived in Boston I would have gone to games but I am not going to go out of my way to do so. I hope it works out.

[eldon]

Some articles say 'New York area'.

Wonder what that means. Which arena(s). 

I do wish them luck. Will be rough.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

13 minutes ago, eldon said:

Some articles say 'New York area'.

Wonder what that means. Which arena(s). 

I do wish them luck. Will be rough.

Yeah, I wish them luck as well, kinda wonder if they would be better off playing during the NHL offseason.  Their season is supposed to kick off in January...it's only a 24-game season, for whatever that's worth.

I just don't see the market or demand for this...that's not to disparage a women's hockey league in any way, I'm just not sure how many fans in areas that already have NHL teams are going to want to give this a chance (or will have much interest).

The "New York Area" already has two teams that play in New York State (three if you count Buffalo, although I don't think they're considered part of the "New York Area" in this case), and of course, our Devils are right there.  Where exactly is this new team going to play?  

[MadDog2020]

1 hour ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

Yeah, I wish them luck as well, kinda wonder if they would be better off playing during the NHL offseason.  Their season is supposed to kick off in January...it's only a 24-game season, for whatever that's worth.

I just don't see the market or demand for this...that's not to disparage a women's hockey league in any way, I'm just not sure how many fans in areas that already have NHL teams are going to want to give this a chance (or will have much interest).

The "New York Area" already has two teams that play in New York State (three if you count Buffalo, although I don't think they're considered part of the "New York Area" in this case), and of course, our Devils are right there.  Where exactly is this new team going to play?  

I’ve heard UBS Arena as a possibility. The Riveters were playing at the rink at the American Dream mall last year. I went to a game; it was a lot of fun. Weird seeing a hockey game being played in the middle of a shopping mall, but definitely a fun experience.

[Satans Hockey]

Will they be allowed to check? I've always disliked how that's not allowed in the women's game. I always watch the Olympics and I'll watch the world's if NHL Network airs it. 

The biggest thing for me in terms of supporting women's leagues in the sports I actually like is the schedules usually suck. For example I have MLS Red Bulls season tickets and Gotham plays in the NWSL at Red Bull Arena too. There are way too many weekends where the Red Bulls play Saturday at home and Gotham play Sunday at home.

I absolutely hate back to back games like that. I don't want to drive to the arena twice in one weekend even if it isn't a bad drive. Tolls, gas, time, it adds up. I hate when the Devils have back to back home games and I usually sell one of them when they do. 

If I lived directly across from the stadiums it would be a different story but I don't like my entire weekend to be attending events. Even more so in the summer for the women's league when they play a lot of Sunday games and you have to deal with shore traffic driving home. 

Edited August 30 by Satans Hockey

[Jimmy Leeds]

Honestly, I could not care less.

That being said, I already hate the NY team

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

2 hours ago, Satans Hockey said:

Will they be allowed to check? I've always disliked how that's not allowed in the women's game. I always watch the Olympics and I'll watch the world's if NHL Network airs it. 

The biggest thing for me in terms of supporting women's leagues in the sports I actually like is the schedules usually suck. For example I have MLS Red Bulls season tickets and Gotham plays in the NWSL at Red Bull Arena too. There are way too many weekends where the Red Bulls play Saturday at home and Gotham play Sunday at home.

I absolutely hate back to back games like that. I don't want to drive to the arena twice in one weekend even if it isn't a bad drive. Tolls, gas, time, it adds up. I hate when the Devils have back to back home games and I usually sell one of them when they do. 

If I lived directly across from the stadiums it would be a different story but I don't like my entire weekend to be attending events. Even more so in the summer for the women's league when they play a lot of Sunday games and you have to deal with shore traffic driving home. 

Yeah, hate seeing women's hockey box scores and "body check" listed as the reason someone was penalized.  That aspect makes me wonder how fans of the men's game who aren't all that familiar with the women's game will take to the PWHL...the hitting has always been a part of the sport.

Re:  back-to-backs, I hear ya...I've done them, but it does feel kinda weird to make the trek there two days in a row (from home it's about 45 minutes each way).  Depending on my daughter's schedule I might do the first two games of the year, but won't likely do it again (unless it's the playoffs or an occasional weekend).  We went to a nice bunch of games last season and I'm really hoping to do the same this year.  I only have three seasons left before she heads off to college (wherever that might be).  Wasn't so long ago that it was no sure bet that she would make it through three periods heh heh.  

[MadDog2020]

1 hour ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

Yeah, hate seeing women's hockey box scores and "body check" listed as the reason someone was penalized.  That aspect makes me wonder how fans of the men's game who aren't all that familiar with the women's game will take to the PWHL...the hitting has always been a part of the sport.

I can’t stand that rule. Let the women body check. It’s part of the game. I think that’s part of why people don’t take women’s hockey seriously. They should play by the same rules as the men.

[Puckbuster]

Good luck to the league and everyone involved, especially, the athletes!

[Dillon]

I can see myself supporting the New York PWHL team. I've been a fan of the Liberty for years. Seen them play at the Rock and MSG. And I'm going to a game next week. Both the team and the league as a whole are really doing well right now but it took a long time to get there.

I wish the PTHL luck but it's going to be a long slog.

 

[RizzMB30]

Best of luck to them. To me hockey is actually one of those sports that the women's game is pretty close to the mens in terms of skill. Sarah Nurse was out there doing Forsbergs in the All-Star game showing off a little and of the women hockey I've seen, they play fast and the USA v. Canada games are watchable. There are young women out there trying to do the michigan mid-game. 

I guess I am just saying that it's not bad compared to a lot of other women's sports. Volleyball is another one where both genders seem almost on par in terms of skills, the only major difference being the physicality.

I don't know if they need more female-based audience to continue to grow around or if they can run the women's league playoffs when the NHL is wrapping up its year and develop viewership that way. Late July-training camp I am pretty starved of hockey and would watch in that time period. 

[RizzMB30]

On 8/30/2023 at 4:03 PM, MadDog2020 said:

I can’t stand that rule. Let the women body check. It’s part of the game. I think that’s part of why people don’t take women’s hockey seriously. They should play by the same rules as the men.

I don't love the rule either. Let them try it themselves and see. I definitely don't think it should be zero contact because that's just not the same sport. 

I fully understand if they bring in legal checking that they might be worried about how bodies would hold up with a lot of heavy checking and contact, but there are women Rugby players out there and that sh!t is football rules with soccer equipment protection. 

Let them try it out and if you have the star players getting destroyed or any major injuries after a few games with contact, then you can always change. I think they're worried about the best women getting decked and having their careers shortened because that is happening to a lot of the men.