PWHL Finalizes Expansion Timeline and Adds Draft Pick Trading Window

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and the PWHL Players Association (PWHLPA) have officially confirmed the dates for the league's five-phase expansion roster-building process. According to an email obtained by The Hockey News, the timeline has been adjusted from earlier proposals. Phase 1 negotiations are shortened to June 2-3, with discussions permitted starting June 1. Phase 2 runs from June 5-8, following notifications for the Exclusive Negotiation Target List on June 4. Phase 3 is reduced to three days, occurring June 10-12, while Phase 4 is set for June 14-15. Notably, Phase 5, scheduled for June 16-18, includes an extra day specifically allowing teams to trade draft picks prior to the main event. The 2026 PWHL Draft is scheduled to take place at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on June 17. Following the draft, the open signing period will commence on June 19. This structured approach ensures existing teams lose no more than four signed players while expansion teams build their rosters through selected phases of negotiation and acquisition.