TORONTO — One of hockey's most iconic brands is returning this fall with the women's game in the spotlight, as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation announced Monday it will air eight Professional Women's Hockey League games on Saturday nights under the Hockey Night in Canada branding for a 90th season.
Each HNIC broadcast will feature one of the PWHL's four Canadian teams in an effort to maintain the brand's tradition. The announcement comes after Rogers, the Canadian broadcasting rights holder of the NHL, failed to come to an agreement with CBC earlier this summer to maintain its long-standing partnership. "Our partnership with the PWHL opens a new chapter in sports history," said Chris Wilson, CBC's executive director of sports and Olympics. "We are proud to announce the return of the iconic Hockey Night in Canada brand, building on this beloved Canadian tradition with the PWHL's growing fanbase and providing audiences across the country with free access to world-class hockey."
"Hockey Night in Canada is a fixture in Canadian sports culture, and its Saturday night schedule has ritually captivated hockey fans for nearly a century," said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president of business operations. "The opportunity to be part of this iconic brand represents another groundbreaking step for the PWHL to connect with our fans and forge new traditions together."
The PWHL is entering its fourth season and has seen exponential growth in its short existence. The league added four teams through expansion ahead of this season located in Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose and Hamilton, and also unveiled that the league's opening weekend will take place on Dec. 5-6.