Fighting in the PWHL and what this means in the future

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The PWHL is making waves in its second season, with one of the most talked-about moments being the first fight in league history between Ottawa's Teresa Vanisova and Boston’s Jill Saulnier on Feb. 20.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is midway through its second season, and the storylines just keep coming. The PWHL Takeover Tour has helped to expand the scope of women’s professional hockey and, along with it, the conversation about the sport’s future.

One of the more notable aspects of this emerging league is the conversation and debate about fighting in the PWHL. Fighting and hockey go hand-in-hand, however, historically, it has always been a part of the men’s game and is essentially absent in women’s hockey. As the PWHL continues to grow and draw more attention, the question of whether fighting should be allowed has resurfaced, prompting discussions about the future of women’s hockey.

On Feb. 20, the first legitimate fight in PWHL history happened in a game between the Ottawa Charge and the Boston Fleet. Boston forward Jill Saulnier and Ottawa forward Teresa Vanisova squared off after Vanisova took a series of checks from Saulnier. Compared to men’s hockey, it was underwhelming, but it was still a fight nonetheless. 

As a result of the scrum —a means of restarting play after a stoppage— each player received a double minor for roughing, while Vanisova finished with a Gordie Howe hat trick. This trifecta is achieved when a player collects a goal, or an assist, and participates in a fight in a single game. In the end, Saulnier and the Fleet walked out of the game with a 3-2 overtime win over the Charge.

When the PWHL was created, the Official Rule Book was modeled after the National Hockey League (NHL) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules. The rule book states, “Fighting is not part of PWHL’s game.” Any player who willingly participates in a fight is penalized according to the referee’s judgment and could even face ejection from the game.

As a result of the altercation on Feb.20, the PWHL released a clarification on fighting in the league. Hockey Operations had decided that “A ‘fight’ in a PWHL game will be penalized with a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, with a possibility of further discipline following a review and taking into consideration repeat offenders.”

For many, allowing fighting in the PWHL could be seen as a step towards creating a more physically intense and competitive environment. This could potentially attract more fans accustomed to men’s hockey’s rough nature. 

On the other hand, some concerns about allowing fighting might hinder the growth of the league, especially given the increased focus on skill development, sportsmanship, and safety in women’s hockey. Women’s hockey and the PWHL, especially, have made strides to ensure that their league is held to a higher standard.

Personally, I believe that incorporating fighting to a certain extent in the PWHL will help to break down gender stereotypes and show that female players can play hockey with the same intensity, passion, and competition that fans know and love. Another major argument could be made that fighting could help foster and build a unified hockey culture. If fighting is seen as a normal part of both the men’s and women’s games, it could signal that women’s hockey is no longer viewed as a separate or less important practice of the sport. 

As the league continues to evolve, the PWHL has the opportunity to shape its identity in a way that acknowledges the game's physicality while still maintaining the values of sportsmanship and respect that women’s hockey is known for.