The Premier Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is making a power move as it gears up for its second season. On Friday, the six-team league announced the appointment of Meghan Duggan, a three-time U.S. Olympian and current New Jersey Devils director of player development, as a special consultant to assist its hockey operations department.
Duggan’s exact role within the PWHL has not been fully defined yet, but league insiders suggest her responsibilities will span providing input on potential rule changes, optimizing the season schedule, and weighing in on player personnel matters. The 35-year-old Massachusetts native brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the table, having previously served as a guest coach for the PWHL and as a member of USA Hockey’s board of directors.
A Champion for Women’s Hockey
Meghan Duggan is no stranger to breaking barriers and elevating the women’s game. The former forward captained the U.S. women’s national team to Olympic gold in 2018, ending a 20-year drought. She also won silver medals in 2010 and 2014, cementing her status as one of the greatest American hockey players of all time.
Off the ice, Duggan has been a vocal advocate for gender equity in hockey. She spearheaded the U.S. women’s team’s successful fight for better pay and resources in 2017, resulting in a landmark four-year deal with USA Hockey. Her leadership and commitment to growing the game make her an ideal fit for the PWHL’s mission.
“Meghan is a long-time advocate for women’s hockey, a proven leader and an accomplished executive at the top levels of sport,” PWHL vice president Jayna Hefford said in a statement. “As we continue to prioritize advancement and innovation in our game, Meghan will draw on her competitiveness, character, and a long list of hockey achievements to help move our league forward.”
Innovating the Game
The PWHL prides itself on being a forward-thinking league that isn’t afraid to shake up the status quo. In its inaugural season, it introduced the “Jail-Break” rule, where a minor penalty expires if the penalized team scores a short-handed goal – adding an exciting twist to special teams play.
Duggan’s insights will be invaluable as the PWHL looks to implement more innovative rules and find creative ways to showcase the incredible skill and speed of its athletes. Her experience working in player development with the Devils will also help guide roster construction and scouting as the league plans to expand by as many as two teams for the 2025-26 season.
“This league and its players have just scratched the surface in terms of what they are capable of and I look forward to advising and assisting in any way that I can,” Duggan said of joining the PWHL team.
Growing the Women’s Game
The PWHL’s second season is set to begin on November 30th, with high expectations and hopes of building on the momentum from its successful debut. The league’s ultimate goal is to establish a viable, sustainable professional women’s hockey league in North America that can attract and retain the world’s best players.
Hiring Meghan Duggan is a significant step towards that vision. Her passion for advancing women’s hockey, combined with her experience as an elite player and leader, make her uniquely qualified to help guide the PWHL’s growth and development.
As more young girls lace up their skates and dream of playing pro hockey, the PWHL is positioning itself as the destination for the next generation of stars. With trailblazers like Duggan leading the charge, the future of women’s hockey looks brighter than ever.
