Jessica Campbell Makes History as NHL’s First Female Full-Time On-Bench Coach with Seattle Kraken
Jessica Campbell has made history as the first woman to serve as a full-time on-bench coach in the NHL, stepping behind the bench for the Seattle Kraken in the 2024-2025 season opener against the St. Louis Blues. Previously a top assistant for the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Campbell was brought on by head coach Dan Bylsma, who praised her ability to connect with players and build strong relationships. Campbell expressed her commitment to paving the way for other women aspiring to coaching roles, emphasizing the significance of her position in the evolving landscape of NHL coaching, which increasingly includes women in key roles like assistant general managers.
Read more about Campbell HERE
PWHL Announces Exciting 2024-25 Regular-Season Schedule Kicking Off November 30
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has announced its 2024-25 regular-season schedule, set to begin on November 30. This season will feature a total of 90 games, with each of the six teams playing an expanded 30-game schedule—an increase of six games from last year. The opening weekend will showcase all teams, starting with the Toronto Sceptres hosting the Boston Fleet at 2:00 p.m. ET on November 30, followed by the Ottawa Charge against the Montréal Victoire at 5:00 p.m. ET. The New York Sirens will face the Minnesota Frost on December 1 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Fans can look forward to several key matchups, including a highly anticipated rematch between the Minnesota Frost and Boston Fleet on December 4, the first meeting since the 2024 PWHL Finals. The season will also include three International Breaks, with significant games scheduled for New Year’s Eve and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Half-season ticket packages will be available starting October 17, with single-game tickets going on sale October 30 for Canadian teams and November 1 for U.S. teams. The regular season will conclude on May 3, 2025. For complete details and ticketing information, fans can visit the PWHL website.
Full Announcement HERE
Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) as part of the class of 2024, recognizing their significant contributions to women’s hockey. Darwitz, born on October 13, 1983, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, enjoyed a stellar playing career, collecting numerous medals with Team USA, including three Golds at the World Championships and a Silver at the 2002 Olympics. After playing at the University of Minnesota, where she was a three-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, Darwitz transitioned to coaching, culminating in her recent role as General Manager of the PWHL Minnesota franchise, which won the inaugural Walter Cup.
Krissy Wendell, born on September 12, 1981, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, also had a remarkable career. She excelled in high school hockey, scoring a record 109 goals in one season, and later led the University of Minnesota to two NCAA championships, winning the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2005. Wendell represented the U.S. in 147 games, earning multiple Silver Medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championships and a Silver at the 2002 Olympics, where she served as captain. Both players were inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019 before their recent election to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Read their full announcement’s by the HHOF HERE
2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship Schedule Announced for April in Czechia
The schedule for the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship has been released, with the tournament set to take place from April 9-20 in České Budějovice, Czechia. The event features 10 teams divided into two groups for the Preliminary Round: Group A includes Czechia, Canada, the USA, Finland, and Switzerland, while Group B consists of Germany, Sweden, Japan, Norway, and Hungary. All teams in each group will play each other, with all five teams from Group A and the top three teams from Group B advancing to the quarterfinals. The group stage runs from April 9 to April 16, with semifinals and placement matches scheduled for April 19, and the final and bronze medal match concluding the tournament on April 20. Ticket sales will begin in early November 2024.
Game Schedule is available HERE
IIHF Announces Women’s 3×3 Hockey Tournament in Brazil, Paving the Way for Olympic Recognition
The IIHF announces that Brazil is set to host a Women’s 3×3 hockey tournament in São Paulo from November 7-13, marking a significant step toward Olympic recognition for this fast-paced variant of the game. Six teams from five countries, including two from the host nation, will compete on a dedicated 26x18m ice pad designed specifically for 3×3 play, departing from traditional rink formats. Competing nations include Argentina, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Iran, with a round-robin format leading to classification and medal games.
The IIHF aims to promote 3×3 hockey as an Olympic discipline, with a proposal set to go before the IOC in January 2025. This smaller format allows for easier team assembly, featuring rosters of up to 12 skaters and two goalies, and facilitates quicker event scheduling. Additionally, a “Learn to Play” program will run concurrently, training 14 participants from various countries to develop effective programs in their regions. This initiative aims to boost hockey engagement in non-traditional markets while fostering grassroots development.
Read the full announcement HERE
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