'We absolutely need a team': Hockey fans want PWHL franchise in Winnipeg

Hockey fans in Winnipeg made it clear as the Professional Women’s Hockey League rolled into town over the weekend that they want to see their own franchise based in the Manitoba capital. 

Sunday night was an audition of sorts as a sellout crowd of 15,321 turned out for the first-ever PWHL game in Winnipeg, which saw the Ottawa Charge beat the Montreal Victoire 2-1 as part of the league's Takeover Tour.

Fans wore jerseys, made creative signs — with some calling for the league to put a team in the city — and sang along all night long to the in-game playlist.

“We’re the heart of the country and everyone watches women’s sports here. We absolutely need a team,” said Jen Seguin, who was at Sunday’s game with a sign that read, in part, “WPG PWHL ASAP.

“Just look around. Everybody’s here — kids, families, people of all genders, sizes and diversity are here. We love women’s sports.”

That same thought was echoed by Madison Zienkiewicz who brought a sign that said “Chipman are you watching? Winnipeg wants the PWHL.”

“I’ve travelled to see a PWHL game, I went to Minneapolis," said Zienkiewicz. "We need a team here. Women’s sports are just amazing, I love it so much.”

Sunday’s game was also the first time Manitobans Kati Tabin and Jocelyne Larocque got to play professional hockey in their home province. Both said they see value in Winnipeg getting a team.

“Geographically it makes a lot of sense, we’re right central in North America and Canada, but I think this city just loves hockey,” said Larocque, from Ste. Anne.

“And the fact that the city doesn’t have a pro women’s sports team at all, I think hockey would be a great first one.” 

For Winnipeg's Tabin, who said she hadn’t played hockey in front of some of her friends and family since high school, the city would be a “good spot” for a team.

“There’s so much hockey love here in the city, so yeah, I think it’d be a great one," she said.

The two local stars had plenty of support in the stands with Larocque having an estimated 280 extended family and friends in attendance and Tabin having about 80.

The passion and energy of the sellout crowd didn’t go unnoticed by other players and staff.