PWHL Sets National TV Milestone; Hamilton Expansion Names Coach
By TopHolding Editorial · Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 3:01 AM
The PWHL announces its first U.S. national TV broadcast as Kris Sparre is tapped to coach the new Hamilton expansion team.
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is set for a historic milestone as New York and Montreal prepare to compete in the first-ever nationally televised PWHL game in the United States. The broadcast deal is seen as a major step forward for the second-year league, which has seen surging attendance and television ratings throughout the 2026 season.
In expansion news, the PWHL has confirmed that Kris Sparre will leave his role with the Boston Fleet to lead the league's new expansion franchise in Hamilton. Sparre, a finalist for Coach of the Year, is expected to begin building the Hamilton roster immediately. The move comes as the league looks to capitalize on the 'transcendent heights' reached during the recent playoffs, which featured several overtime thrillers.
On the collegiate side, the Patty Kazmaier Award finalists have been announced, with Team USA stars Caroline Harvey, Abbey Murphy, and Tessa Janecke headlining the list. The award, given to the top player in NCAA Division I women's hockey, highlights the deep talent pool currently feeding into the professional ranks.
The league also addressed disciplinary matters this week, suspending Frost's Britta Curl-Salemme for one playoff game following an illegal check to the head. Despite the physical nature of the postseason, league officials emphasized that player safety remains the top priority as the PWHL continues its rapid North American expansion.