Readiness Established for All Possible Outcomes in Reference to "Any Eventuality"
Rewritten Article:
In Montreal Victory's locker room, the anticipation is high. Everyone's talking about the arrival of a new club in Western Canada – and it's being met with enthusiasm. Katherine Harvey-Pinard, our reporter, recently caught up with the team to get their thoughts on the news.
Daniele Sauvageau, the general manager of the Victory, put it straight: "It's good news. More jobs mean more chances for players, and for all the supporting staff behind the scenes."
Some believe that extra competition could push the players to reach new heights. Captain Ann-Renee Desbiens expressed her excitement: "It's exciting to see the League growing. More opportunities, more contracts, and more talent – that's got to be good for everyone."
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced the addition of a team to its circuit – set to debut in Vancouver next season. There are even rumors of a second team forming in Seattle, but the League hasn't let on just yet.
"We're hoping another team gets announced this year," said Amy Scheer, the League's executive vice-president of commercial operations.
The Vancouver team's integration into the circuit remains to be seen, with the specifics of the expansion draft yet to be determined. Daniele Sauvageau hinted at the preparations underway: "We're bracing ourselves for any outcome. Ideally, we'd love to keep all our players, but if they decide to join the new club, we'll have no choice but to let them go."
Travel logistics, the number of matches, and draft positions are all questions on the table, awaiting answers in the coming days.
With a collective agreement in place until 2031, the maximum number of games a team can play is set at 32. Given the addition of a new team, whether in Vancouver or elsewhere, the League might consider increasing the number of games played, potentially starting the season earlier.
As for travel, head coach Kori Cheverie suggested the possibility of scheduling multiple games on the same visit to the West, and vice versa during the Vancouver club's visits.
The city of Quebec, with its strong fanbase, eagerly awaits news on a potential LPHF team. With dreams of watching their local heroes play, fans took to the Videotron Centre last year, filling it with 18,259 spectators during the Great Tour. Besides Montreal, 18 other cities expressed interest in landing a team, leaving 19 cities disappointed.
For now, Quebec City will have to keep supporting their Montreal Victory with hope and enthusiasm: "We'll cross our fingers and hope we get the opportunity soon," said Desbiens. Here's to the growth and success of the PWHL!
Enrichment Insights:
- The new team will be located in Vancouver, with their home games taking place at the Pacific Coliseum and practice sessions at the PNE Agrodome.
- The renovation of both facilities will prioritize upgrading locker rooms, training facilities, and broadcast technology while preserving the Coliseum's historic character.
- The team will operate under the name "PWHL Vancouver" and feature Pacific Blue as the primary color with Cream as an accent.
- Specific details on the expansion draft, including the integration of Vancouver into the 2025 PWHL Draft, are yet to be revealed.
- The Montreal Victory's excitement is palpable regarding the upcoming addition of a new PWHL team in Vancouver, as the League's growth promises more opportunities for players and staff.
- With the potential of extra competition, some players, like Captain Ann-Renee Desbiens, express enthusiasm about the League expanding, believing it could drive them to reach new heights.
- In the eventuality of players joining the new Vancouver club, Montreal's General Manager Daniele Sauvageau hints at preparations for potential player losses and the need to let them go if necessary.
- As the city of Quebec, boasting a strong fanbase, continues to support the Montreal Victory, they hold onto dreams of a potential PWHL team in their own city, expressing hope that the opportunity arises soon.
