PWHL Players Face Disruption as Women's World Championships Clash with League Schedule

PWHL players, including Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin, are criticizing the timing of the women's world hockey championships, which coincide with the league's playoffs. The break, lasting almost a month, disrupts the league's momentum and has prompted questions about scheduling future tournaments outside of the PWHL calendar.

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), which has gained significant traction since its inception in 2024, is currently facing criticism from its players due to the timing of the upcoming women's world hockey championships. The international tournament, scheduled to run from April 9 to 20 in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia, coincides with the league's playoffs, causing disruptions in the PWHL's momentum.

Marie-Philip Poulin, captain of the Montreal Victoire and a prominent figure in the PWHL, expressed her concerns about the break. "That would make sense, honestly, to not make a break in our season," she said. "It’s a long three weeks for the PWHL to be on break." The PWHL, which paused its inaugural season for the 2023 tournament in Utica, New York, will now be on hiatus until April 25, with all six teams having three games remaining in the regular season.

The international break is not new to the PWHL, which has already experienced two other breaks in the 2024-25 season. The first took place from December 9 to 16 for the Women's Euro Hockey Tour's 6-Nations Tournament in Finland, and the second from February 3 to 10 for the Rivalry Series between Canada and the United States.

The PWHL's executive vice president of hockey operations, Jayna Hefford, acknowledged the scheduling challenges but emphasized the importance of international competition for elite female players. "The opportunity to play for your country is an important one," she said. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which runs the world championships, is reportedly discussing the timing of future tournaments with the PWHL.

The disruption caused by the international break also raises concerns about injuries. Sarah Nurse, a star forward for the Toronto Sceptres, sustained a lower-body injury while representing Canada in the Rivalry Series on February 6 and was out until March 23. Other players, such as Erin Ambrose of the Montreal Victoire, understand the necessity of high-level international competitions but believe the current schedule is suboptimal.

The PWHL's players and management are hoping to make the best of the situation, with the Montreal Victoire's Amanda Boulier noting, "We’re gonna use it as a time to work and get better." Despite the challenges, the PWHL continues to make strides in the world of women's hockey, breaking attendance records and gaining significant recognition.

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