In this episode of USA Hockey’s Next Gen podcast, hosts Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore sit down with Annie Camins, VP at the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), to explore how the league went from concept to puck drop in just four months. Annie shares what it took to launch a professional league with high standards, including facilities, community engagement, and a historic CBA. The conversation highlights the PWHL’s rapid expansion, fan growth, and long-term vision—plus Annie’s own journey from being the only girl on her youth team to helping build a professional league for future generations.

Key Points From This Episode:

[00:00:00] Lyndsey Fry introduces the episode’s focus on women’s hockey and the PWHL

[00:01:33] The growth of girls' hockey in the U.S. over the past few decades

[00:03:28] Limited opportunities in the past for women to continue playing

[00:05:00] Importance of the PWHL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA)

[00:06:22] Annie Camins joins the podcast

[00:06:51] How the PWHL formed and launched in four months

[00:09:03] Why the CBA was essential from day one

[00:10:10] Challenges of launching the league in such a short timeline

[00:13:20] Strategies for growing the league’s fan base and community engagement

[00:17:59] Where the talent pipeline for the PWHL comes from

[00:21:25] Annie’s vision for the next 5–10 years of the league

[00:23:53] How the PWHL is supporting Olympians and preparing them without centralization

[00:25:32] Annie’s favorite memory since the league’s inception

[00:26:21] What team Annie would’ve played for

[00:27:02] Can Minnesota win a third Walter Cup?

[00:28:08] Behind-the-scenes moments from league travel and logistics

[00:29:07] Annie’s background in hockey and path to her current role

[00:31:09] Annie’s advice to young girls dreaming of the PWHL

[00:32:14] Closing thoughts and the impact of visible role models

[00:33:50] Hillary Knight inspires a young fan on Halloween

[00:35:40] Preview of the next episode with Tony Granato

Links:

PWHL: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/

USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠

Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠

Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠