HAMILTON, ON (October 2, 2026) – PWHL Hamilton today unveiled its inaugural 2026-27 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) regular-season schedule which includes 13 home games at TD Coliseum. The PWHL’s fourth season will feature a league-record 180 games from Saturday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Apr. 18 with 12 teams competing in newly established Eastern and Western Conferences, followed by an expanded eight-team playoff format to determine a Walter Cup champion. The PWHL Hamilton regular-season schedule can be viewed online here.

“We’re incredibly excited to see our inaugural season take shape on the calendar,” said General Manager Meghan Duggan. “This is the beginning of something special in Hamilton, and we can’t wait to introduce our team to this community and give our fans a season and a team they can be proud of. The countdown is officially on, and we’re ready to get started.”

“We’re incredibly excited to have a schedule and know when we’ll take the ice in front of our fans,” said Head Coach Kris Sparre. “There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this team, and now it starts to feel real. We’re excited to get together, build something special as a group, and ultimately bring PWHL hockey to Hamilton.”

With Buffalo not having a team and Hamilton so close, Buffalo PWHL fans have an opportunity to travel to Canada to see their favorite players. NYHOL will be covering this team as closely as we can, along with the NY Sirens.

By Warren Kozireski

The script will be flipped this coming season in Rochester from one where the top prospects were mostly forwards after many “graduated” to Buffalo or were traded to one where position to watch is defense.

Rookies Radim Mrtka (first round 2025), Maxim Strbak (second round 2023) Gavin McCarthy (third round 2023) join second year returnees Vsevold Komarov (fifth round 2022) and Noah Laaouan on a young blueline.

Veterans Ryan Johnson (first round 2019), Dennis Gilbert and Jack Rathbone will mentor the youth on the back line.

“We expect those guys (the veterans) to lead back there with some of the young kids that are going to play,” third year head coach Michael Leone said. “It’s nice that we have a lefty-right, lefty-righty pretty much in every pair.”

Up front only Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Trevor Kuntar are back as 20+ goal scorers from last year with free agent signee Aidan McDonough netting 23 with Wiles Barre/Scranton. Returnee Carson Meyer and free agent signee Matthew Peca scored 31- and 47-points last season, respectively.      

Rookie forward Jake Richard (sixth round 2022) finished third with the UConn Huskies last year with 27 points in 38 games. Forwards Matteo Constantini, Mason Geertsen, Brendan Warren, Red Savage and Graham Slaggart all return and are joined by newcomers Thomas Bordeleau, Jason Polin, Zac Funk and Liam Valente.

There could be a few more additions on both sides of the ice depending on the Buffalo injury situation and the waivers process.

“I think this year we have a lot more of a veteran team, so I think that’s going to bode well for us and help us during the season in different ways,” veteran forward Fiddler-Shultz said. “I think we have a lot more identity to our forward group; a lot more direct, hard to play against, physical whereas before we had a lot more skill…so this year is going to be a shift to a little more grindy-type game.”

In goal Matthew Villalta was signed as a veteran mentor for Scott Ratzlaff (fifth round 2023) and Topias Leinonen (second round 2022), who missed all of training camp with an injury. Villalta last season with Tucson was 16-12-3 with a 3.10 GAA and .895 save percentage.

“It’s probably this first time in Rochester in a long time where we’re stockpiled in veteran players—really good American Hockey League players that there’s a maturity around the group with guys who have played a lot of hockey,” Leone said.

“It’s different from years past where we had a lot of kids playing in the lineup the last four or five years…and I’m really excited to coach this group.”

The main change in the league affecting Rochester this season is the move of the New York Islanders affiliate from Bridgeport to Hamilton, Ontario. The newly named Hammers move from the Atlantic to the North Division, making it eight teams which will reduce the number of times the Amerks play other teams in the division.

The season commences on home ice Friday, October 2 against the Toronto Marlies.

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL

Recapping Women’s ice Hockey

Several women’s collegiate teams have taken to the ice in exhibition games opening the 2026-27 season with some great action.

Mercyhurst took on RPI and beat them 3-1 in both games opening weekend (Sept. 19-20). 

This past weekend Clarkson beat RIT 6-3 in a season opener with Sara Manness and Layla Matthrews each getting a pair of goals in that game. RIT’s Zoe Ziotas, Addie Alvarez and Laura Dylie scored for RIT. Clarkson came back the following day and it was 8-1 over RIT. Two Golden Knights had hat tricks in the game, Raedyh Spadena and Jessie Pellese.

Syracuse beat Stonehill 2-0, the first win for the Orange’s new Head Coach Brian Idalski. Sophomore Ava Drabyk stopped 17 SOG for the “W”. In the second game it was a 4-1 over Stonehill and Syracuse is 2-0-0 overall to start the season.

The AHA has named Players of the Week for September 21-27 and they include two from New York, both from Syracuse University. Defenseman of the Week is Jessica Cheung and Goaltender of the Week is Ava Drabyk.

Cheung was the only Syracuse player to score a goal in each game of the weekend sweep of Stonehill. Drabyk earned two wins and one shutout on the weekend over Stonehill. Syracuse is the third AHA team to start the season 2-0-0.

PWHL

The Professional Womens Hockey League has announced they will host an All-Star Game on March 7, 2027 at the Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto. It will be a three-on-three tournament and ticket information will be released soon.

Vancouver has announced the appointment of Alison Izzi as General Manager. She replaces cara Gardner Morey who was named Head Coach of the team. Izzi is an attorney from Rhode Island who most recently worked with the NHL’s Legal Department.

Brett Sonne has been named an assistant coach with the Seattle Torrent. He formerly served as an assistant coach in the British Columbia Hockey League.

The New York Sirens will open at home on December 6 at the Prudential Center. It’s a 6:30 p.m. puckdrop against the Boston Fleet. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

The PWHL has scheduled their 2026-27 season to begin the weekend of December 5-6.

Hamilton, one of the new franchises, will host their home opener Sunday, December 13, with a 2 p.m. puck drop against the Ottawa Charge. They official open on the road December 5 against Walter Cup Champion Montreal.

Team USA

The Women’s National team will face the Canadian National team in IIHF Pre-Tournament play on October 28 and 30. One game will be played at the USA facilities in Plymouth, Michigan.

By Randy Schultz, NYHOL; Photos by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

Bob Rosen, the long-time head coach of the Williamsville North High School boys hockey team, has been  elected to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2026.

Named boys head hockey coach at Williamsville North in 1990, Rosen has built the Spartans into a powerhouse program in 36 seasons. During that period of time Rosen has won 579 career wins, which is more than any other high school hockey coach in New York State history.

His Will North teams have won five New York State Championships including 2002, 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2017. The 2011 team achieved perfection with an undefeated season.

Rosen guided Williamsville North to the NYS finals seven times in the team’s first eight years of eligibility beginning in 2001. His team became the first public school to win a Federation Championship.

Rosen has also been a successful coach for Amherst hockey. His Junior B and Junior C hockey teams won four combined National Championships, including the first undefeated season at the Junior B level in USA Hockey in the 1987-88 campaign.

The Will North 1979 graduate also coached Team East at the USA Hockey Select 17 National Tournament.

He has also been named New York State Coach of the Year three times including 2006, 2011 and 2017. In 2019 Rosen received the prestigious American Hockey Coaches Association, John Mariucci Award.

As a player Rosen played for the Junior A Buffalo Sabres, SUNY Canton (which won a national championship during his time there) and Canisius College. He would later become an assistant coach at Canisius.

Prior to his selection to the GBSHOF Rosen has been inducted into the Amherst Hockey Hall of Fame, the Williamsville North Hall of Fame, and the Section VI Hall of Fame.

Photos, Story and Review by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

There’s more to the Buffalo Sabres than what is on the ice and it’s for the fan experience at a game. New food, new venue, upgraded areas and new merchandise. The team at Delaware North Sportservice introduced the new items to members of the media.

Let’s talk food!

Two player-inspired items lead the line-up with The Dough-ner inspired by Josh Doan and the Benson BarnBurger inspired by Zach Benson. 

The Dough-ner is a fresh pizza dough pocket filled with birria cilantro, onion, Monterey Jack, mozzarella and tomato served with birria gravy. (Birria is a beef that has been marinated in Mexican style spices and slow cooked til tender.) (Editor’s note: this was Janet’s favorite since the meat was so tender it melted in her mouth and it was spiced just right for a slight tang.)

The Benson BarnBurger is a beef patty topped with pulled pork, bacon, roasted garlic mayo, Canadian chedder and Benny (it’s a secret) sauce on a brioche roll. 

The Dough-ner will be available in the LaNova stand at Section 116 and the Benson at the Coca-Cola stands near Section 101 and 305.

As they did last year Sportservice will be changing new items every 10 games.

“This gives fans something new to discover throughout the season,” said Executive Chef Michael Buonopane.

Among those items are:

The Heater, a double burger with pepper Jack cheese, ghost pepper bbq sauce, candied bacon and chipotle mayonnaise at Grill Stands near Sections 118 and 321.

Spice Bomb, a 2-foot nacho topped with chorizo, spiced chili, queso, bbq sauce, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, jalapenos and picked red onion. Available at the Party Nacho near Section 114 and Southtowns BBQ, section 313.

Brunch Nachos, a game-day-only offering with bacon, breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, beer cheese, maple syrup and green onion. Available at Party Nacho and Southtowns BBQ. (Editors note: Randy had this and said it was quite good with a touch of spice and a hint of the sweetness of the maple syrup.)

The Hangover, also a game-day-only item, is a double burger with bacon,egg, pepper jack cheese and chipotle cream cheese. Available at the grill stands near Sections 118 and 321.

Taco Pizza, a LaNova pizza topped with queso, cheddar cheese, taco meat, pickled jalapenos, pico de gallo and mozzarella. Available at LaNova stands.

Peach Crumble Fried Dough, fried dough topped with peaches, brown sugar, biscuit bites and Dulce de leche. Available at Let’s Dough stands, section 116 and 322. (Editor’s note: Janet loved this, especially with the in-season peaches.)

Beaver Tail and Chocolate Bacon Milkshake: A milkshake topped with cinnamon sugar fried dough, chocolate covered bacon, maple syrup and whipped cream. Available at Let’s Dough Stand. (Editor’s note: Janet loved this, especially the chocolate covered bacon which is so rare to find; the milkshake was on the sweet side with a great maple taste).

Bear Claw Pretzel: Finished with almond frosting, toasted almonds and powered sugar. Available at the Power Play Pretzel Portable near section 107.

For Club level fans there is a beef and cheese empanada with chipotle aioli which Janet found excellent and spiced just right with the kick coming at the end.

For Suite occupents there is a churrascaria menu with Brazilian pork loin, Cornish hen , cheese bread, Brazilian beans and squash medley served with meat on a sword and other items around it on a large platter; chicken riggies with hot and sweet cherry peppers in a tomato-cream sauce and brioche bread pudding made with cinnamon-brown sugar custard, dried cranberries and white chocolate.

Janet tried all of these items and again they were excellent. The Riggies had a slight heat to them but not overwhelming, the bread pudding was very moist, the empanada meat also has a hint of heat but was very good and she only tried the squash medley but found the churrascaria to be very good an item that needs to be tried to enjoy since they will cut the meat off of the sword right in front of the customer.

The Aud Club is gone and in its place is the Michelob Ultra Lounge. This is open to all fans attending events at Key Bank and includes an expanded food and beverage experience. There is a live-action grill with hand-carved beef on weck and fried bologna. 

This is the place to meet up, grab a drink and something to eat.

If you are looking for  grab and go food and beverage go to The Market sponsored by Sahlen’s. Located on the 100 Level near Section 100 there are hot dogs, nachos, pretzels with cheese, popcorn, assorted soft drinks and canned beer.

Delaware North with provide all-inclusive food and beverages in the re-imagined 1970 Club. This is for Signature Seat members, which are sold out for the season. The Club has been refurnished with an upgraded sound system and 10 new 75-inch TVs.

The Sabres also announced that the Sword with beer is returning during the regular season and a hockey stick filled with a slushie for the younger fans will also be available. There is also a hot dog combo meal that will be served in a tray featuring the Sabres logo. 

Along with all that the Sabres Store will be featuring new items throughout the season. A couple of items that stuck out at the introduction were the stuffed beef-on-weck, periogi and chicken wing. There is a Mystery Puck box where you will not know what you are getting for a puck but each box provides you an opportunity to collect the set.

(Editor’s note: NYHOL tried most of the items and found all to be tasty. We did not try the burgers which are very large but looked great. With all the ingredients on them, they aren’t something we aspire to. They are a meal. The menu seems to be leaning toward a little more spicy and heated taste but none of those tastes were overwhelming. We found all the items to be very creative and they were presented beautifully.)