Detroit women's hockey fans score PWHL team
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The PWHL's Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens at Little Caesars Arena in 2024. Photo: Dave Reginek/Getty Images
Seventh-grader Sutton Metzger has dreamed of becoming a pro hockey player since she was little, and soon she'll have a hometown team of women to look up to.
Why it matters: Metzger is part of Metro Detroit's growing women's ice hockey community cheering the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) decision to start a team in Detroit.
State of play: The new PWHL team will play at Little Caesars Arena beginning this fall in the 2026-27 season, league and LCA officials announced Wednesday. The team is accepting season ticket deposits.
- Its primary colors are black and silver, with white as secondary and a red accent in a nod to the Red Wings.
- The logo and name haven't been announced.
Zoom in: Metzger, of South Lyon, plays in the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club and has been to other PWHL games. She tells Axios she loves hockey because it's competitive, "fast and physical," and she can be part of something bigger than herself.
- With a goal to compete in college and go pro, Metzger says it's "amazing" to be able to follow a pro women's team in her own region.
The big picture: The national women's sports boom is reflected here, with the WNBA returning in 2029 and the women's Detroit City FC soccer team that began in 2020.
- Mayor Mary Sheffield called the PWHL announcement a "powerful moment" bringing "a new era of opportunity, visibility and excellence in women's sports to our community."
How it works: Launched in 2024, the PWHL uses unique scoring and rules meant to ensure excitement and competitiveness. At season's end, the top four teams make the playoffs with two best-of-five semi-finals leading to a best-of-five championship.
- The PWHL is now in nine cities: Detroit, Boston, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, Seattle and St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Detroit has hosted successful PWHL Takeover Tour games, most recently March 28.
Between the lines: PWHL events are some of the best-attended, Bar IX owner Alissa Graff tells Axios. "It means everything" to be able to create a space not just to support women's sports, but specifically another Detroit team, she adds.
- The women's sports pop-up hosts watch parties for hockey, basketball, soccer, rugby and other sports. Graff is also working toward opening a permanent space.
What's next: Detroit will host this year's PWHL draft June 17 at the Fox Theatre downtown.
- Plus, Bar IX will celebrate the PWHL news Friday night at its WNBA opening day watch party, 7:30pm at Third Street Bar.