The PWHL is officially coming to Edmonton for its first-ever game played at Rogers Place, the home of the Edmonton Oilers.
Following yesterday’s announcement that the league would be hosting games in NHL arenas across the US and Canada, some were disappointed that Edmonton was not on the list. The initial announcement listed Vancouver and Quebec City as the only Canadian stops on the tour.
Yet, the Alberta capital was added to what the league calls the PWHL Takeover Tour for a game at Rogers Place between the Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres on February 16.
“We are excited to welcome the PWHL Takeover Tour to Rogers Place and ICE District,” said Stu Ballantyne, president & COO of Rogers Place and ICE District.
“This is the perfect opportunity to bring the world’s best women’s hockey players to one of the world’s best arenas, to play in front of the world’s best hockey fans. We look forward to hosting a very special and historic event at Rogers Place on February 16.”
Edmonton, here we come! ✈️
PWHL Takeover Tour is adding a stop at @rogersplace on February 16!
📰 https://t.co/jeiYHogr5t
🔗 SIGN UP FOR PRESALE: https://t.co/AztjYMQuL0 pic.twitter.com/bVPGp7bLhO— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 20, 2024
This is not only the first PWHL hosted in Edmonton, but is also the first game hosted in Alberta. The game will see three Edmonton-area players make a return to their hometown as Ottawa boasts an exciting lineup of young talent.
Danielle Serdachny, a 2024 second-overall pick, and defenceman Stephanie Markowski both call Edmonton home and are set to make their PWHL debuts with the Ottawa Charge this season. Veteran goaltender and Canadian Olympic gold medal winner Emerance Maschmeyer will also call this a homecoming as she hails from the nearby community of Bruderheim.
“I am thrilled to support the PWHL Takeover Tour coming to our province,” said Joseph Schow, Alberta’s minister of Tourism and Sport.
“Bringing the PWHL to Edmonton will not only have fans flocking to see the best women’s hockey players in the world compete in our beautiful capital city, it’ll inspire the next generation of Alberta athletes to aim high and achieve greatness.”
Serdachny teased the possibility of this game on social media last night after appearing on the Oilers broadcast against the Ottawa Senators.
Thanks for having us !
One more city to be announced for the @thepwhlofficial takeover tour! 👀🤫 https://t.co/pmSwBiWs8l— Danielle Serdachny (@dserdachny) November 20, 2024
Edmonton is home to a rabid hockey fan base and this could potentially give the league a chance at gauging fan interest in a potential expansion franchise in the Alberta capital. The PWHL recently announced that they will be opening up the expansion process and are aiming to add two more teams to the league in time for the 2025-26 season.
Many speculated that Calgary would be the first Alberta city to get a team, but considering Edmonton was chosen to host a PWHL game, the tide could be turning on that notion. At the moment, Rogers Place is home to the NHL’s Oilers and the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, so it would be a crowded tenancy to add a PWHL team, but it certainly could be done.
Tickets to the Edmonton game are currently available for pre-sale.