When it was time to narrow down its markets to just six, the newest professional women’s hockey league was left with little choice.
Boston had to be there.
“Boston is an obvious market for us,” said Professional Women’s Hockey League executive Stan Kasten in the league’s introductory Zoom press conference Tuesday. “There was confusion about any market buzz because we’re only having six and that left out a lot of really, really good, really, really obvious markets.
“Boston also provided a number of different alternatives for venues — some big, some small — and places to train. So in terms of that, it really was a good fit for us and we’re excited about being in Boston.
“We’ve had great reactions from the people we’ve spoken to, great media reactions in terms of broadcasts and things like that, so we expect it to be a very successful market for us.”
The PWHL is still in TBA mode on basic details such as team names, venues, schedules, ticket prices, and the like for its teams in Boston, New York, Minnesota, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.
Some important areas have been addressed, such as roster size, a draft, free agency rules, the NHL’s involvement, expansion, and local ownership plans. But much of the talk Tuesday revolved around the excitement of a new women’s league getting off the ground at the right time and in the right way.
“We have an ownership group that provides the capital, the resources, the experience to do this in a professional and a first-class way,” said Jayna Hefford, senior vice president of hockey operations. “Completing a CBA that both supports the long-term view of the ownership group but also allows the players the certainty and the comforts and that hits their level of professionalism as it relates to a day-to-day experience as a female hockey player. This league will have the best players in the world.
“We’re witnessing a point in time where women’s sports is certainly thriving. The demand is there, the excitement is there, the willingness for people to really embrace what we’re doing. I don’t think there’s ever been a better time.
“So I think with the people we have involved, we’re incredibly confident for the future of this league.”
A home arena for the Boston franchise has yet to be determined — discussions with Boston University about using Walter Brown Arena were preliminary in nature — and the same goes for a training facility.
Kasten said the PWHL hopes to announce home venues for all six teams “very, very soon,” but the 24-game regular-season schedule could feature “home” games in neutral sites and NHL cities.
The league expects to expand to a 32-game season as soon as its second year, with the season beginning in November rather than its inaugural-season January start.
The first season should end by late May/early June, with subsequent seasons running through May.
A schedule is expected to be out in October, giving the league three months or so to begin ticket sales. Playoffs will be at least two rounds.
Training camps are scheduled to begin Nov. 18. Eligible international and college players will be welcomed to enter the talent pool.
The inaugural draft will be Sept. 18 in Toronto. Prior to that, the first 10 days of September will serve as the free agent signing period, with general managers obligated to sign three players each. Unsigned players will enter a 15-round draft, leaving teams with 18 roster spots. Undrafted players will become free agents and can negotiate tryouts.
Each team will be required to have at least 28 players in camp.
The league expects to have a presence at NHL special events, with Kasten citing the Winter Classic and All-Star Game.
Kasten described the relationship with the NHL as “consultative” with regards to market identification, advice, and assistance.
The PWHL is owned by the Mark Walter Group, which includes Walter, one of the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and tennis legend Billie Jean King.
For now, the league owns all six teams. “We might” evolve to teams being owned individually, said Kasten, “but there are no plans to do that.”
As for expansion, Kasten said, “We certainly expect to expand from six teams.”
The league is still working on a policy regarding transgender players, said Hefford.
Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com.