Ian Kennedy

And I think that we might see them targeting similar partnerships that the NHL have. And so, you know, anybody's guess right now, but I'd say the ESPN Plus or ESPN in general is probably the leading contender at the moment.

And I think that we might see them targeting similar partnerships that the NHL have. And so, you know, anybody's guess right now, but I'd say the ESPN Plus or ESPN in general is probably the leading contender at the moment.

The talent pool is the number one thing the league's looking at. They've mentioned this a number of times. They feel like they've got the on-ice product right. And I believe that too. I think that a lot of people, men's hockey fans in particular, that watch this league are really excited and surprised by the level of play that's there. It is elite. The skill level is right off the charts.

The talent pool is the number one thing the league's looking at. They've mentioned this a number of times. They feel like they've got the on-ice product right. And I believe that too. I think that a lot of people, men's hockey fans in particular, that watch this league are really excited and surprised by the level of play that's there. It is elite. The skill level is right off the charts.

But there's a huge wave of talent coming online. Maybe not in this 2025 draft, but the 2026 draft is just loaded. I mean, pretty much the best players from the United States national team right now, like Carolyn Harvey, that was... You know, USA Hockey Player of the Year last year, Layla Edwards, who was the World Championship MVP.

But there's a huge wave of talent coming online. Maybe not in this 2025 draft, but the 2026 draft is just loaded. I mean, pretty much the best players from the United States national team right now, like Carolyn Harvey, that was... You know, USA Hockey Player of the Year last year, Layla Edwards, who was the World Championship MVP.

There's a huge group that's going to be coming in over the next two years. And that's probably what we're looking at in terms of expansion. I don't know if they'll do two teams this year because of that. the talent coming in, but there's definitely globally enough women's hockey talent to expand this league quickly and still keep that level of play high and some parity across the board.

There's a huge group that's going to be coming in over the next two years. And that's probably what we're looking at in terms of expansion. I don't know if they'll do two teams this year because of that. the talent coming in, but there's definitely globally enough women's hockey talent to expand this league quickly and still keep that level of play high and some parity across the board.

Uh, I would say that they should not follow the NHL in pretty much any way. That's my personal opinion. Uh, I think that, you know, avoiding watching what the NHL does and then doing the opposite might be better, but, uh, they have the good thing about this league is they have an incredible amount of intelligent, uh, big personality people. I mean, we're not talking about, uh, women here.

Uh, I would say that they should not follow the NHL in pretty much any way. That's my personal opinion. Uh, I think that, you know, avoiding watching what the NHL does and then doing the opposite might be better, but, uh, they have the good thing about this league is they have an incredible amount of intelligent, uh, big personality people. I mean, we're not talking about, uh, women here.

This is a league of people with master's degrees, doctorate degrees. They are all university students that have come out of there. They're really well-spoken, articulate people. They're fun. I mean, if you look at their social media platforms, they are actual people. It's not that kind of

This is a league of people with master's degrees, doctorate degrees. They are all university students that have come out of there. They're really well-spoken, articulate people. They're fun. I mean, if you look at their social media platforms, they are actual people. It's not that kind of

you know, the NHL, I find that a lot of players get programmed to be these little robots and give you the same six word answer every single time, like pucks deep, you know, all that stuff, all the cliches are there. But when you talk to these players in this league, you're getting really thoughtful, insightful answers.

you know, the NHL, I find that a lot of players get programmed to be these little robots and give you the same six word answer every single time, like pucks deep, you know, all that stuff, all the cliches are there. But when you talk to these players in this league, you're getting really thoughtful, insightful answers.

And I think that the marketability for that, uh, to let fans see the players in this league as people, not just as hockey players, which is what a lot of research shows us that, uh, Fans want to know those players better. So I think this league has a huge leg up on the NHL in that regard, for sure. And I think they're going to embrace that and really lean into it.

And I think that the marketability for that, uh, to let fans see the players in this league as people, not just as hockey players, which is what a lot of research shows us that, uh, Fans want to know those players better. So I think this league has a huge leg up on the NHL in that regard, for sure. And I think they're going to embrace that and really lean into it.

If you go on Instagram and you type in Whoever, Emma Malte, Callie Flanagan. I mean, these might be players that some people don't know, but you're going to see them doing fun things and you're going to see them engaging with fans. They're in the community all the time. Brands are really latching on. We saw Sarah Fillier just signed an exclusive deal with Upper Deck the other day to put out...

If you go on Instagram and you type in Whoever, Emma Malte, Callie Flanagan. I mean, these might be players that some people don't know, but you're going to see them doing fun things and you're going to see them engaging with fans. They're in the community all the time. Brands are really latching on. We saw Sarah Fillier just signed an exclusive deal with Upper Deck the other day to put out...

unique merchandise and specific cards for her. And we're seeing these partnerships coming more and more. The market, again, is there. And the brands also see the big personality of these players, the relatability of the players. There's a huge market that's being filled right now that was empty before.

unique merchandise and specific cards for her. And we're seeing these partnerships coming more and more. The market, again, is there. And the brands also see the big personality of these players, the relatability of the players. There's a huge market that's being filled right now that was empty before.