Blog #2 — PWHL Takeover Tour

After writing about UNC Women’s Hockey for a class assignment, I realized how much I enjoyed blending sports and storytelling. So, I decided to create another feature — this time just for fun. When the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Takeover Tour came through Raleigh, I knew it was the perfect chance to capture another historic moment for women’s hockey in North Carolina.

PWHL Takeover Tour Brings Professional Women’s Hockey to Raleigh

The buzz inside Lenovo Center on a Friday evening felt different — electric, historic, and hopeful. The Professional Women’s Hockey League had arrived in Raleigh as part of its Takeover Tour, bringing elite players, thrilling competition, and a chance for fans to connect with the sport’s rising stars.

For many in attendance, it was their first time seeing professional women’s hockey in person. Young girls pressed up against the glass, holding homemade signs and sporting purple Minnesota Frost jerseys — a striking change from the usual sea of red Hurricanes gear. Crowds of enthusiastic fans filled the stands, eager to witness the speed, skill, and grit that define the PWHL.

The energy in the crowd was incredible. People gathered from far and wide to be part of this historic game, and the energy was electrifying from puck drop to the final second of the game.

As someone who’s watched the growth of women’s hockey from the grassroots level, the event felt monumental. It wasn’t just about one game — it was about momentum. The PWHL’s visit proved there’s a passionate and growing audience for women’s hockey in the Carolinas.

Walking out of the arena, I couldn’t help but think about the little girl in a Hurricanes jersey I saw earlier, clutching her brand-new Minnesota Frost Jersey. For her, this wasn’t just an event. It was a glimpse of what’s possible.

I imagined myself in her shoes for a moment. What would my life look like if I attended a PWHL game as a young girl?