This PWHL story is sensational. To see a team that doesn't even have a name and logo emerge and take shape, first-rate pro every step of the way... And then to guess what they are going to decide.
Starting at 1 p.m. ET, six general managers will begin the second phase of assembling their squads, choosing from a pool of 268 draft-eligible players from the PWHPA, PHF, NCAA, U Sports, and international circuits as the 15-round draft is conducted.
www.sportsnet.ca
And where they could play, a game here and there to generate interest, connecting with local girls/women hockey players and their families, surely the key marketing target. Targeted marketing = focus on reaching that group and don't fall for wasted resources on the wrong groups.
-Excel Energy Center, St Paul, home base (20,000 seats)
-Maybe another arena in the Mpls-St Paul metropolitan area with less capacity?
-Amsoil Arena, Duluth (6,700)?
-Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, St Cloud (6,000)?
-Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, Mankato (5,100)?
-Hibbing Civic Arena (3,400)?
-Roseau Memorial Arena (3,000)?
-Eveleth Hippodrome (3,000)?
-IRA Civic Center, Grand Rapids (2,400)?
-Glas Fieldhouse, Bemidji (2,300)?
-Sioux Falls Arena, ND (7,500)?
-Madison, WI?
-Detroit/Vancouver/Florida/Expansion cities?
Surely the Minneapolis-St Paul Metropolitan area is the key concentrated population area by far that needs to sustain the team, the others are unknowns and maybe expensive detours for a pro team like this, I don't know.
It's fun to watch. Girls/women's hockey needs a boost, not sure how. Uncharted waters...
And it's GREAT! there could be higher opportunities ahead for women hockey players if this works, a pathway after college for a few.
#PWHLMinnesota