DETROIT – The PWHL is coming to Detroit in 2026 with women’s hockey legend Manon Rheaume leading the franchise as the team’s general manager.
Rheaume is the first woman to play a game in the NHL, and the Olympian is excited to be at the forefront of this hockey chapter in Detroit.
“All of the little girls I coached, for them, they were just playing hockey,” Rheaume told Local 4. “Now, finally, they will be able to watch women’s pro hockey.”
PWHL Detroit’s roster will begin taking shape in the coming days.
There will be no expansion draft this year. Instead, current PWHL teams will protect three players on their rosters, and the four new PWHL teams will be able to negotiate with other non-protected players starting next week.
PWHL Detroit will also be able to add new players in the PWHL Draft on June 17.
The roster is still not set, but Rheaume has a vision for what type of hockey she wants this team to play in Detroit.
“I am looking for fast players. Players that are relentless, that work hard and are good people,” Rheaume said. “Work ethic is a must.”
The roster is still a work in progress, and so is the team’s name in Detroit.
The team colors will be red, black, and silver, but Rheaume did not have a timeline for announcing the team’s mascot.
“As a staff, we’re excited to know what’s going to be our name. I think we’re going to find out the same time as anybody else,” Rheaume said.