This week on The IX Sports Podcast host Maya Smith breaks down schedule and broadcasting news from across the PWHL. Later, Smith is joined by women’s sports creator Cameron Johnson to discuss how he became a fan of the Vancouver Goldeneyes — even though he has never been to Canada.
First, Smith explained that Hockey Night in Canada will return for its 90th season of broadcasting as a partner of the PWHL. The channel will host 8 PWHL games this season.
“If you’re an American listener, CBC provides all of these games for free through taxpayer-funded broadcasting, and so CBC is one is the only way to watch PWHL games for free in Canada,” Smith explained. “And I do really think that having them as part of Hockey Night in Canada, having the PWHL with Hockey Night in Canada will actually continue to help grow the game because people will tune in to … Hockey Night in Canada, like they always have, and this time there will be women on the TV, which is so awesome.”
Smith said that people who “don’t believe in women’s hockey” have been upset by the announcement.
“But I do think that they are the minority, and I’m really excited to see how this goes,” she said.
Smith also shared the matchups for PWHL opening weekend on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, which will feature games with all 12 teams. The schedule for home openers across the league were also released this week, and every team will host its opening game on or before Dec. 20.
Tune in to this week’s episode for a segment featuring Johnson, the creator behind Average Joe Sports Network. Johnson explained why he cheers for the Vancouver Goldeneyes despite never having been to Canada — a story you won’t want to miss.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.
