The Professional Women's Hockey League will play its first game on Jan. 1st, when Toronto hosts New York at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, the league announced Tuesday.
The Mattamy Athletic Centre, home to Toronto Metropolitan University teams, is on the site of the old Maple Leaf Gardens.
Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT.
“Giving our athletes the opportunity to step onto the ice to compete in front of our passionate fans has been the driving force of our efforts, and it’s going to be an exciting reality on New Year’s Day,” said Stan Kasten, PWHL advisory board member. “It’s time for the best women’s hockey players in the world to lift our game to greater heights.”
All six teams announced on Tuesday times and venues for their home openers.
The remainder of each teams’ 24-game regular-season slate will be announced at a later date, with the schedule anticipated to run into early May, followed by a yet-to-be announced playoff format. The PWHL is expected to take an extended break to allow its national team players to compete in the women’s world championships, which will be held in Utica, N.Y., from April 3-14.
The league has been fast-tracking its launch since being established in late June with the financial backing of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and support of tennis great Billie Jean King. Teams opened training camp this month.
PWHL Openers
Jan. 1: New York at Toronto, Mattamy Athletic Centre, 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT.
Jan. 2: Montreal at Ottawa, TD Place, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Jan. 3: Minnesota at Boston, Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Jan. 5: Toronto at New York, Jan. 5, Total Mortgage Arena (Bridgeport, Conn.), 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Jan. 6: Montreal at Minnesota, XCel Energy Center, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Jan. 13: Boston at Montreal, Verdun Auditorium, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
The league said facilities hosting home openers are among the primary venues for the PWHL this season.
— With files from The Associated Press
