PWHL announces expansion to Vancouver

B.C. will soon be home to another professional sports team, with the Professional Women's Hockey League adding a Vancouver franchise.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is coming to Vancouver.

The six-team league announced the city would be home to its first expansion franchise at a news conference Wednesday.

The honour of making the announcement went to a nine-year-old girl who plays hockey for the Vancouver Angels.

“Back in January, my teammates and I went to the very first PWHL Takeover Tour game. It was the coolest day ever. We saw six goals, danced in the stands, waved our signs and cheered so loud for the players, it felt like anything was possible,” she said.

“It made me think I want to be just like them some day, playing in the PWHL. Today we are so excited, because right here in Vancouver – we got a team.”

The new team will be based out of the Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the Vancouver Canucks and will join the league for the 2025-26 season.

“This is a historic day for our league, our fans, our athletes, and our sport,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice-president of business operations.

“Expanding to Vancouver reflects the growing momentum behind the league and the incredible passion of our fanbase...We’re proud to bring the PWHL to the West Coast and provide more fans with the opportunity to experience live the best women’s hockey players in the world.”

Scheer added that Vancouver being the third-largest Canadian market was important.

“You’ve shown a remarkable commitment to growing the game of hockey,” she said.

Scheer pointed to the latest stats from BC Hockey that showed registration for both boys’ and girls’ is about 50/50.

“BC Hockey’s efforts have been huge in growing the game,” she said. “And we want to help build and continue that momentum that you’ve already started.”

Meghan Agosta, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and former Team Canada hockey player, said the growth of the league presents more opportunities for the next generation of young girls.

“Being a mom and having my little girl now dream about becoming a professional hockey player is amazing,” she said.

“These women are strong, they’re powerful and those are the girls that we want our young ones to look up to.”

No name has been chosen for the team, but its official colours will be Pacific blue and cream.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Isabella Zavarise