The PWHL expansion roster building process has been outlined to the league’s players, according to a guide obtained by The Ice Garden on Sunday. Notably, there will not be a traditional expansion draft as occurred last season for Vancouver and Seattle.
As outlined, the multi-phased approach largely prioritizes player choice, though there are still opportunities where players can be bound to sign with a different team. Current teams also retain at least some control over what happens to their players under contract, with protections able to be put in place at various points.
Of note, the new PWHL roster building process as outlined assumes a four-team expansion. The dates of each phase are tentative, and everything is subject to change.
Phase I
Phase 1 is expected to begin on May 28 and continue through May 30. Based on this timeline, it’s likely that expansion locations will be announced before May 28. During this phase:
Players on existing contracts: Players who are currently under contract can be protected by their teams at this time.
Players on expiring contracts: Players on expiring contracts can use this time to negotiate with any team, existing or expansion. They can sign with an existing team during Phase 1. If they want to sign with an expansion team, they have to wait until Phase 2.
Current teams: Existing teams will select three players to protect or re-sign in Phase 1. This can include players who are currently under contract (protect) and players who are on expiring contracts (sign).
Existing teams can only lose one player on an expiring contract to another existing team in Phase 1.
Expansion teams: Expansion teams can negotiate with players with expiring contracts during Phase 1, but can’t sign any players during this time.
Phase 2
After Phase 1 is completed, Phase 2 will begin and run from June 1 through June 4. This phase includes a 20-player Exclusive Negotiation Target List (ENTL) for each expansion team. The expansion team must be interested in negotiating with these players. This list can include any player, whether or not they have an expiring contract.
Players on existing contracts: Any players on existing contracts who have not been protected may be eligible to be signed by an expansion team if the player is noted on an expansion team’s ENTL. If a player is signed by an expansion team during this time, their contract is transferred to the new team.
Players on expiring contracts: Any players who are on an expansion team’s ENTL list may be signed by an expansion team during this period.
Current teams: Current teams can each lose only three under contract players during Phase 2.
Expansion teams: Expansion teams can each sign up to five players in Phase 2. They are able to offer two different types of contracts, an Expansion Franchise Offer (EFO) and Foundational Player Offers (FPO).
Each team may sign one player to an EPO, which is a binding contract. The player offered an EPO must sign with the team. In exchange, they are able to determine the length of their contract, and will be offered no less than $100k per year (or their previous salary, whichever is higher).
Players under an EPO may sign for up to 4 years. Any length greater than 1 year will receive an additional $20k up front and a minimum increase of at least 3% each year. The entire contract will be guaranteed, and players can choose the spread of the total value across the guaranteed years.
Players may also be offered an FPO, which is non-binding, but must be signed by the end of Phase 3. Teams must offer the players at least a two-year deal and at least $80k in the first year, with an increase to $82.5k in the second year. Years and salaries can be negotiated by the players and teams as long as they meet the required minimums.
If a player receives an FPO, they can still sign with another team, as long as the player makes at least 90% of the FPO base salary.
If an expansion team cannot sign five players during this phase, they will be able to select unprotected players who are currently under contract, as long as they were on their original ENTL list.
Phase 3
The next phase is scheduled for June 6 through June 9. During this phase:
Players on existing contracts: Players on existing contracts can be protected by their current team – up to 3 players total.
Players on expiring contracts: Players on expiring contracts can sign with any team – including their current team, another current team or any expansion team – during this time.
If a player on an expiring contract received a Foundational Player Offer (FPO) from an expansion team and did not sign in Phase 2, they must execute a contract during this Phase. The contract can be with any team and must have an average annual value (AAV) of at least $73,125 – no lower than 90% of the FPO baseline salary.
Current teams: Teams will either protect (players on existing contracts) or sign (players on expiring contracts) for a total of three players in this Phase.
Expansion teams: Expansion teams will be able to sign up to three players on expiring contracts.
Phase 4
Phase 4 is scheduled for June 11-12. During this phase:
Players on existing contracts: Any player who was not protected in the earlier Phases can sign a new contract with an expansion team, if they weren’t on the team’s ENTL in Phase 2. Additionally, if unprotected, players may be selected by an expansion team in this Phase if the expansion teams are unable to sign enough players to fill 10 roster spots. If this happens, the existing contract is inherited by the expansion team.
Players on expiring contracts: These players can sign with an expansion team. They are not eligible to be selected by an expansion team in the case of Situation A, below.
Current teams: Current teams can lose a maximum of four players under contract in Phases 2-4.
Expansion teams: In this phase, expansion teams will sign enough players to reach a total of 10. These teams cannot sign players who were on their Phase 2 ENTL. It’s estimated that each expansion team will sign two players in this Phase.
Situation A: If an expansion team is unable to reach the 10-player mark at this point, the team will be allowed to select unprotected players who are under contract, or who have their rights held by current teams. If a player with a current contract is selected, the contract transfers to the expansion team. The expansion team holds the player’s rights for the duration of the contract. If a player with their rights held is selected, the expansion team retains their rights for the next season.
Phase 5
The fifth & final phase begins June 13 and runs until the start of the open signing period, which is slated to begin June 19.
Players on existing contracts: This Phase is status quo for players on existing contracts.
Players on expiring contracts: Players on expiring contracts can sign with their existing teams. They can also wait to sign with any team during the open signing period.
Current teams: In this Phase, teams have the option to sign their players who are on expiring contracts. Teams can also provide qualifying offers to players they hold the rights to. Otherwise, these players will be able to sign with any team in the open signing period.
Expansion teams: Expansion teams are only able to provide qualifying offers to players whose rights they hold in this Phase.
Entry Draft and Open Signing Period
The document obtained by The Ice Garden listed the Entry Draft date as June 17, 2026. No details about team selection positions or draft location have been disclosed.
Once the Entry Draft has been completed, the open signing period will begin June 19. During the open signing period:
Players on existing contracts: Any players with existing contracts at this point will remain under their current contract with their current team.
Players on expiring contracts: Any players with expiring contracts who have not signed or been re-signed by the open signing period can sign with any team in the Open Signing Period.
Players who are on expiring contracts with rights held by an existing team: These players must have received a qualifying offer by their own teams by the end of Phase 3. Any remaining players who have not received qualifying offers are considered unrestricted free agents in the Open Signing Period and may sign with any team.
Takeaways
The details in this multi-phased approach are numerous and sometimes confusing. Not every detail is crystal clear, but the biggest takeaway from this format is that PWHL players have more autonomy to determine where they will play in their careers. The traditional expansion draft as we knew it has ceased to exist.
Details on the number of expansion teams, their locations, as well as draft order will further help to fill in the blanks. Stay tuned to The Ice Garden for additional updates as they become available.