What a year 2024 it was for the PWHL! From the first puck drop to unforgettable moments on and off the ice, the league’s debut season delivered history. From nail-biting overtime wins that kept fans on the edge of their seats to capturing the hearts of hockey fans around the world, 2024 was an incredible debut season for the PWHL.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from the PWHL 2024 season:
- 104 games played: That includes 72 regular-season games, 13 intense playoff battles, and 19 games kicking off the new season.
- 607,753 fans in the stands: A massive show of support for the league’s debut, with an average of 5,844 fans per game.
- 16 arenas hosted games: From iconic NHL venues like the Xcel Energy Centre in Minnesota to Montréal’s Bell Centre, the league made its mark across North America.
- Minnesota Frost’s epic season: With 22 wins, including six in the playoffs, they claimed the very first Walter Cup in style.
- Attendance records: Montréal’s sold-out crowd of 10,172 at Place Bell set a new benchmark for fan support.
- IIHF Female Player of the Year: Natalie Spooner was honoured as IIHF Female Player of the Year during a Toronto game.
But the story doesn’t stop there. With the PWHL Takeover Tour kicking off in Seattle and teams like Montréal and Minnesota off to a flying start, 2025 is shaping up to another memorable year for the PWHL. With record crowds and a growing global online PWHL fanbase, the PWHL is proving that women’s hockey isn’t just here to stay – it’s thriving and it’s only going to keep reaching new heights. As one PWHL fan put it:
The generation playing in this league now likely grew up never seeing women’s hockey and dreamed of playing in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup. But now we’re seeing it on television, almost every night of the week. That’s what young girls are seeing – a realistic career path. Inspiring them to play the game is a driving force of what we’re doing.
This shift in visibility is not just transforming the game today but laying the foundation for the future of women in ice hockey.
As the 2024/25 season rolls on, we’ll take a look at the standings, standout players, and the key moments shaping the year. But looking ahead, 2025 is already looking pretty exciting for the league. From big performances to increased visibility worldwide, the league is proving that it’s only just getting started.
Current PWHL Standings (07/01/2024)
Here’s a quick look at the standings for the PWHL teams based on their games played, points, wins, overtime wins and losses, losses, goals for, and goals against.
Rank | Team | GP | PTS | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Minnesota Frost | 7 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 19 |
2 | Montréal Victoire | 6 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 14 |
3 | Ottawa Charge | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 18 |
4 | New York Sirens | 6 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 17 |
5 | Toronto Sceptres | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 22 |
6 | Boston Fleet | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 20 |
Montréal Victoire is on top of the table with 14 points from seven games. Ann-Renée Desbiens (#35) has been a wall in goal, with three wins and a solid 0.921 save percentage. Elaine Chuli (#20) has also been clutch, rocking a 0.918 save percentage and a goals-against average of just 2.00.
Right behind them are the Minnesota Frost, also with 14 points, though they’ve played eight games. Claire Thompson (#42) is absolutely on fire, tied for the league lead with 10 points and leading in assists with 9. Britta Curl-Salemme (#77) has chipped in with 4 goals, while Maddie Rooney (#35) has been steady in net with three wins and a 2.25 goals-against average.
The New York Sirens are sitting in third with 12 points. Alex Carpenter (#25) is leading the league with 10 points and 5 goals, while Sarah Fillier (#10) isn’t far behind with 9 points. Jessie Eldridge (#9) is showing her playmaking skills with 6 assists – New York’s attack is definitely one to watch.
Ottawa Charge is hanging in there with 10 points, and they’ve got Emerance Maschmeyer (#38) to thank for that. She’s been performing well on the ice, leading the league with a 0.938 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average.
At the other end of the standings, Boston Fleet and Toronto Sceptres are still trying to find their feet. Boston’s Megan Keller (#5) has been putting in the work with 8 points and 6 assists, and Hilary Knight (#21) is keeping the team’s offence alive with 4 goals. Toronto’s Renata Fast (#14) has been stepping up too, with 6 assists as they look to climb out of the bottom spot.
Key Players to Watch
Top Skaters:
- Claire Thompson (#42, Minnesota Frost) leads all skaters with 10 points and 9 assists.
- Alex Carpenter (#25, New York Sirens) and Sarah Fillier (#10, New York Sirens) are tied at 8 points each, driving New York’s offensive surge.
Goaltending Standouts:
- Emerance Maschmeyer (#38, Ottawa Charge) leads in save percentage (0.938) and goals-against average (2.00).
The PWHL’s 2024/25 season is already living up to its promise, and with the action heating up, there’s no better time to get involved. Fans can stay updated on live scores, player stats, and game highlights via the PWHL’s official website and social media channels. Plus, for those who want to watch the action live, games are available for free on the league’s YouTube channel. Whether you’re watching from home or cheering in the stands, don’t miss out on the incredible moments still to come.
It’s clear: women’s hockey is here to stay, and the best is yet to come.
Check out more PWHL articles by clicking here.
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I’m the founder of Sporting Her, where I get to combine my love for women’s sports with all things media and business.
I’m on a mission to shine a spotlight on incredible athletes and give fans a front-row seat to the action. I also love bringing volunteers into the mix, giving them the chance to gain experience, step closer to their dream jobs, or just have fun doing something they’re passionate about.
When I’m not running things behind the scenes, you’ll find me traveling to games, exploring new places, and soaking up all the sports energy I can.
Whether it’s cheering on my favorite team or creating content, I’m all about growing the visibility of women’s sports and making it a blast for everyone involved!