PWHL Arrives in San Jose

"“I think there's a couple promises I can make standing here today,” Sheer told the crowd at SAP Center. “We are bringing you the highest level hockey in the world. We have over 60 Olympians taking the ice this season. There will be a bunch more next year. Each game is so competitive. Every shift matters; every point in the standings matters. The playoffs were not decided again for the third year in a row until the last day of the season.”"

"“If you have been following the playoffs, I think almost every game has gone to overtime, and it's nerve-wracking ... The games are the highest level of competition, and you will love it.”"

"“Off the ice, I think we've done a great job. I shouldn't say we, I'm going to give the fans the credit. Every fan is welcome in our building, and every fan feels the love. There's singing, there's dancing, there's creative signs,” continued Sheer. “After the games, you'll see fans exchanging friendship places for pucks, cookies for sticks. There's a whole sort of open market, flea market that happens on the ice after the game.”"

"“We cannot wait to see what the traditions are that will happen here in San Jose, and I promise you, it won't be the PWHL doing it, it will be the fans of the club. I tell you, one game and you will be hooked. I challenge each of you to get here and get to a game. I think you'll find that this league and our players will be great representatives in the Bay Area.”"

The PWHL will add a San Jose team next season, with games beginning in December. League officials announced the move at SAP Center with Brandi Chastain and Kristi Yamaguchi. The league expects the highest level of hockey, featuring more than 60 Olympians and additional Olympians the following year. Games are described as highly competitive, with every shift and every standings point mattering. Playoff outcomes have often been decided on the final day, and many games have gone to overtime. Off the ice, the league emphasizes welcoming fans, lively in-arena atmosphere, and postgame fan interactions such as exchanging items for pucks and sticks, with new local traditions expected to emerge.

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