PWHL Announces Innovative Playoff Format and Draft Lottery System

The Professional Women's Hockey League emphasizes fan engagement and strategic growth, setting a new attendance record and pausing expansion plans.

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced its playoff format and draft lottery system, emphasizing innovation and fan engagement.
Four teams will qualify for the playoffs beginning the week of May 6, with the top team choosing its semifinal opponent.
The PWHL adopts the Gold Plan for draft order determination, rewarding teams for success after playoff elimination.
Attendance figures highlight the league's growth, with Toronto setting a record for a women's hockey game at 19,285 fans.
The league puts expansion talks on hold, focusing on establishing a strong foundation and exploring new markets through neutral-site games.