PWHL unveils expansion draft and signing guidelines for new franchises in Vancouver, Seattle

John Wawrow · The Associated Press

· Posted: May 19, 2025 11:25 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hr ago

The PWHL's 2 newest franchises successful Seattle and Vancouver volition statesman stocking their rosters aboriginal adjacent period done an exclusive escaped bureau play followed by an enlargement draft.

Under the guidelines announced Monday, the six existing teams volition each suffer 4 players during the two-phase process opening with a signing play spanning June 4-8 followed by an enlargement draught June 9.

Teams person until June 3 to find which 3 players they mean to support from the enlargement process. Teams volition beryllium allowed to support a 4th further subordinate erstwhile they suffer 2 from their respective rosters, with nary restrictions connected however galore positional players tin beryllium protected.

Seattle and Vancouver tin each adhd up to 5 escaped agents — including players connected contracts expiring aft this play — during the signing period. The teams volition past usage the enlargement draught to capable nevertheless galore roster spots indispensable to scope a 12-player limit.

The enlargement teams volition articulation the existing PWHL teams to proceed stocking their rosters done the PWHL draught connected June 24, followed by the commencement of the league's escaped bureau period.

The league, which controls each its franchises, said the enlargement guidelines were structured to "promote competitory equilibrium and supply the 2 caller PWHL teams with the accidental to physique a beardown foundational roster."

The PWHL has not yet revealed however the enlargement teams volition beryllium incorporated into the six-round draught order. The league is besides successful the process of hiring wide managers and coaching staffs for each of the 2 caller teams.

Vancouver and Seattle were selected arsenic the PWHL's archetypal 2 enlargement franchises successful announcements made a week isolated past month.

The PWHL is successful the midst of closing its 2nd play with the defending champion Minnesota Frost preparing to look the Ottawa Charge successful a best-of-five title last bid opening connected Tuesday.