PWHL adds four teams to reach twelve franchises

The Professional Women's Hockey League introduced four new expansion franchises on Tuesday. The Detroit Clutch, Hamilton Havoc, Las Vegas Vanguards, and San Jose Sea Lions join the existing roster. These additions increase the total number of teams in the league to twelve.

The new clubs will compete in the 2026-27 season. Their inaugural campaigns will feature city-branded jerseys. The specific color palettes for these uniforms were released to the public last month. Team logos will not appear on the jerseys until the second season. However, branded merchandise with the new logos will be available to fans starting this season.

Each identity reflects local heritage and geography. The San Jose Sea Lions name references wildlife along the Bay Area coastline. The name also pays tribute to the San Francisco Sea Lions of the West Coast Negro Baseball Association. That baseball team played in 1946. Infielder Toni Stone began her professional career with that club before playing in men's major professional leagues.

The Detroit Clutch branding centers on the city's automotive legacy. The circular logo combines elements of a wheel and a clutch. The team name uses chrome, Art Deco style typography. Lines inside the wheel design mimic a vinyl record to honor the Motown music scene.

The Hamilton Havoc logo features the peregrine falcon, the official bird of the city. The design balances the city's industrial history with its natural environment. The Las Vegas Vanguards logo displays a kit fox. This animal is a native of the Mojave Desert and symbolizes adaptability. The team's aesthetic uses a palette of cactus green, fox ivory, desert gold, and midnight navy.

Amy Scheer, executive VP of business operations for the PWHL, stated that the league approached the branding process with care. She said the goal was to create names and logos that reflect community pride while connecting to the league's identity. Women-led design teams within the PWHL developed each city's identity. The Las Vegas and San Jose logos were developed in collaboration with the creative agency Doubleday and Cartwright.

The fourth season of PWHL play is scheduled to begin on December 5 and 6.