The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is officially set to expand, with confirmed dates for its five-phase roster-building process—including an exciting new twist: an extra day for teams to trade 2026 draft picks before the upcoming PWHL Draft.

In an email obtained by The Hockey News, PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood informed players that the league has finalized the expansion timeline. "The dates for each phase in the expansion roster-building process have now been confirmed by the league," Underwood wrote, encouraging players to share the details with their agents.

Here's a quick look at the revised schedule, designed to streamline the expansion while keeping teams on their toes:

Phase 1: Originally a three-day window starting May 28, this phase has been shortened to just two days—June 2-3. Negotiations between teams, players, and agents can kick off as early as noon on June 1.

Phase 2: Now running from June 5-8 (shifted from June 1-4), players selected to a team's Exclusive Negotiation Target List (ENTL) will be notified by 5 p.m. on June 4.

Phase 3: Also trimmed from four days to three, this phase takes place June 10-12 (previously June 6-9).

Phase 4: Scheduled for June 14-15, keeping the momentum going.

Phase 5: The grand finale runs from June 16-18, with a key update: teams can now trade 2026 draft picks during this period. The PWHL Draft itself will be held in Detroit on June 17, followed by the open signing period starting June 19.

For context, the PWHL's expansion plan allows each of the two new teams to sign or select 10 players, while existing teams will lose no more than four signed players. This structured approach ensures competitive balance while giving fans plenty to watch as the league grows.

Whether you're tracking your favorite team's moves or gearing up for the draft, this expansion marks an exciting new chapter for women's hockey. Stay tuned—the action is just heating up!