The Professional Women's Hockey League made a powerful statement on Wednesday, May 6, as it officially announced Detroit as its ninth expansion team—and the celebration was nothing short of electric. With dozens of young female hockey players cheering from the concourse at Little Caesars Arena, the PWHL kicked off a new chapter for women's hockey in a city that bleeds the sport.
Marian Ilitch, the beloved matriarch of Hockeytown, was on hand to welcome the team, which is set to hit the ice in December. While the squad doesn't have a name yet, its temporary logo—a bold circle in white, black, and red featuring "Detroit" above crossed hockey sticks and "PWHL" along the bottom—already feels like a badge of honor for the Motor City.
"Why Detroit? First of all, look at today, the turnout," said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president of business operations. "Detroit just checked off every possible mark on why we would want to expand here. And it's been about the warmest welcome we could have ever envisioned."
The PWHL operates as a single-entity league, with Mark Walter—majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, and Sparks—owning all teams. The Detroit expansion is a partnership with Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, meaning the team will call Little Caesars Arena home. Plans are already underway to convert one of the practice facility's locker rooms into a permanent space for the PWHL squad, signaling a long-term commitment to the city.
But this move is about more than just a new team. It's a testament to Detroit's deep-rooted hockey culture and grassroots support for women's sports. "This is more than a business announcement," said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Companies and owner of the Tigers and Red Wings. "This is something Detroit is achieving that's been building for a very, very long time. Detroit has been a part of the PWHL story since day one."
He wasn't exaggerating. When the league played its first-ever neutral site game at Little Caesars Arena in 2024, a staggering 13,700 fans showed up for a brand-new league in its inaugural season. That enthusiasm only grew, with Detroit hosting more PWHL games than any other neutral site. For a league looking to expand its footprint, the message was clear: Hockeytown is ready to lead the charge for women's hockey.