In some ways comparing the PWHL and NHL is like comparing apples to oranges. Or because they’re both pro hockey leagues filled with incredible athletes, perhaps it’s like comparing oranges to grapefruit.
The NHL has had 100 years to set their course, but there are aspects of the PWHL in year one that are already far surpassing the NHL’s product and approach. There are ways the NHL surpasses the PWHL, but here’s a look a 5 ways the PWHL is better than the NHL.
1. Fun and Individuality
Watching Montreal‘s post game on ice dance, seeing the social media content players are making at the rink, and witnessing fans and media celebrating the individualism of players, their quirks, and their off ice interests is fascinating, and it’s one item the NHL has been missing. It’s part of what has hurt hockey’s culture, where all individuality is forced out of players. It’s not to say there isn’t a team first mentality among PWHL players, but the players also aren’t programmed to be robots who can’t think for themselves, express an opinion, or show a more human side of themselves. In men’s hockey, emotion is condemned unless it results in punching someone in the face. Whether it’s Lexie Adzija or Mariah Keopple’s fashion sense, Emma Maltais’ rants on the thoughts of dogs, the on camera antics of Emerance Maschmeyer and Emily Clark, or Sarah Nurse’s interest in beauty and style, it’s all a welcomed departure from the NHL’s ‘conform or leave’ mentality.
2. Interaction with fans
If you step inside an NHL event and approach Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews without a security badges around your neck, you’re probably getting tackled. If you step inside a PWHL event and even glance in the direction of a star player, they’re probably going to approach you, sign an autograph, share a photo, laugh and smile with you, or wave from the ice. It’s not uncommon to see PWHL players responding to fans on social media, showing up at youth practices and other events, or chatting with fans as humans following games. PWHL players are going above and beyond, and it’s a new level of engagement that’s been lost in the NHL. The fans themselves are far more respectful and communal as well, which makes a difference, but young fans are meeting their idols every day, and those who weren’t fans, are quickly becoming attached to players and the league. Even at the league level, the PWHL’s YouTube channel had incredible fan interaction, including an end of year kazoo rendition of the commercial break…