Report: PWHL will not use expansion draft when it adds new teams

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) will forego an expansion draft when it adds new teams in the offseason, according to a report by The Athletic. Rather, the expansion process, tentatively slated to start May 28, will include multiple signing phases that will give players more say as to whether they want to play for the new clubs.

The league expanded for the first time last year by adding the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent, bringing the total number of teams to eight. The new teams were given an exclusive period to sign players. Once that period was over, Vancouver and Toronto took part in a seven-round expansion draft, during which the original six teams could protect three players and a fourth once they lost two.

Malaika Underwood, executive director of the PWHL Players Association (PWHLPA), wrote in an email to players Friday that the league is changing the process "to protect as much players choice as possible." On Sunday, Underwood sent another email stating the new expansion process "is a significant change that gives players more opportunity to participate in the process through negotiation and choice."

The assumption is the PWHL will add four teams for the 2026-27 season. However, the league has not made a final decision on how many teams it will add or where they will be located, and that could affect the talent distribution process.

"Nothing is finalized at this time," the league wrote in a statement to The Athletic. "We're in the process of working through expansion roster-building plans in close collaboration with the PWHLPA. Our approach has been thoughtful and player-focused, and we'll share more details at the appropriate time."

--Field Level Media