March 7, 2025, over 10,000 people attended a hockey game at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, but they weren’t coming to see the Carolina Hurricanes. The game was a matchup between the Minnesota Frost and the Ottawa Charge, two of six teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
Established in August 2023, the PWHL consists of six teams: Montreal Victoire, Ottawa Charge, Toronto Sceptres, Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, and New York Sirens.
“My favorite team is the Montreal Victoire because my mom is from Montreal,” said Brandon Richmond, a senior at Athens Drive and a house league hockey player, “There’s sadly no Carolina team to support yet.”
The PWHL Takeover Tour allowed for the teams to play nine regular-season games at neutral sites that will take place outside the League’s current set of cities. One of these nine games was chosen to be held at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes, play.
Athens Drive High School students, such as Richmond, were among those who watched the game between the Frost and the Charge game.
“It was such a cool experience to see them play, and it was a fun atmosphere, although I think there could be some rule changes to make it better and more entertaining,” Richmond said. “Overall, I enjoyed it and think it’s a good league.”
The game in Raleigh ended with the Frost achieving a 5-0 shutout win against the Charge. The number one star of the game was Maddie Rooney, Minnesota’s goalie, who saved 19 out of 19 shots. The second star of the game was Sophie Jaques, a defender for Minnesota, who got one goal and one assist. The final star of the game was Denisa Křížová, Minnesota’s forward, who also got one goal and one assist.
“My favorite player is Alyssa Gagliardi because even though she isn’t a current PWHL player, she has played in previous leagues and is a huge public figure representing women’s hockey,” said Athens Drive student and Junior Canes hockey player Meredith Myers.
Myers went on to explain how “she [Gagliardi] grew up in the Raleigh area when girls’ youth hockey wasn’t nearly as big as it is now. She helped out a lot with the early kick-start of the Girls Jr. Cane’s program. I was lucky enough to have her as my coach for one year in u14 (under 14 years old team), and she has left a huge impact on how I play, and who I am today.”
The PWHL’s Takeover Tour is an essential step in significantly growing the audience for women’s hockey by bringing teams to new cities to showcase the athleticism and talent of female athletes at known NHL hockey rinks.
“I think it’s a progressive league and is a good opportunity to grow the game of hockey by increasing women viewers,” said Richmond.
By encouraging connections between the league and locals, the tour challenges stereotypes, shows the potential for growth in women’s sports, and inspires young girls to pursue athletic careers.
Beyond hockey, it sets a powerful example for other women’s sports leagues, proving that growth is possible and achievable. Ultimately, the tour is helping to direct cultural change and elevate women’s sports to new heights.
“I love the PWHL, I’m glad that it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves. The previous leagues fell apart because players weren’t getting the right benefits, recognition, or pay, so I’m glad to see that things are changing for them,” said Myers.
