2024-25 PWHL season

[Ditra]

Explanation on how the expansion draft is supposed to work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVFqEbzW-NU

Does a player like Knight have some leverage in the process? Basically isn't she capped out at league maximum? It will be interesting which 5 players each team signs.

 

[Timothy A]

Pay cut.

I can't seem to find any info on the web about how much the head coaches make. Anybody have any idea? Looks like 280k to 380k for an high end college coach.

 

[robertearle]

I can't seem to find any info on the web about how much the head coaches make. Anybody have any idea? Looks like 280k to 380k for an high end college coach.

I found an article in the Duluth newspaper about WCHA salaries in comparison to the contract Laura Schuler had signed:

Schuler for the 2024-25 year had a base salary of $215K
Brad Frost $280K for the 2023-24 season
Muzzeral $274K for 23-24, and then $385K for 24-25
MJ $385K for 23-24, and then $427K for 24-25

And then, because he was mentioned, I (oddly) hit on an IRS filing made public (a 990 form for Clarkson) that Matt Desrosiers made $295K in 2021 (I think).

I didn't find anything for Flint.

 

[Lindsay]

I found an article in the Duluth newspaper about WCHA salaries in comparison to the contract Laura Schuler had signed:

Schuler for the 2024-25 year had a base salary of $215K
Brad Frost $280K for the 2023-24 season
Muzzeral $274K for 23-24, and then $385K for 24-25
MJ $385K for 23-24, and then $427K for 24-25

And then, because he was mentioned, I (oddly) hit on an IRS filing made public (a 990 form for Clarkson) that Matt Desrosiers made $295K in 2021 (I think).

I didn't find anything for Flint.

Makes you wonder what the pw jobs pay that college coaches are leaving.

Lols like player salary info will be public soon, based on a vote by the players.

 

[robertearle]

Makes you wonder what the pw jobs pay that college coaches are leaving.

Lols like player salary info will be public soon, based on a vote by the players.

I'm reading that player salaries are capped at a max of $80K, with team caps at $1.34 million. So I can't imagine a coach would be getting even the $215K that Shuller started at.

As I said, if NCAA coaches are leaving, it has to be they don't want to deal with the great unknowns of NIL and the House settlement, both for the effects on their team and the school's overall athletic department.

 

[Ditra]

I'm reading that player salaries are capped at a max of $80K, with team caps at $1.34 million. So I can't imagine a coach would be getting even the $215K that Shuller started at.

As I said, if NCAA coaches are leaving, it has to be they don't want to deal with the great unknowns of NIL and the House settlement, both for the effects on their team and the school's overall athletic department.

The recent GM job descriptions had the following regarding salary.

"A competitive base salary will be offered, factoring in candidate experience and skill level. Compensation range: $150,000 - $180,000 USD ($195,800 - $235,000 CAD) including participation in the company-sponsored benefit plan(s)."

I would think coaches would be similar.

 

[Timothy A]

The recent GM job descriptions had the following regarding salary.

"A competitive base salary will be offered, factoring in candidate experience and skill level. Compensation range: $150,000 - $180,000 USD ($195,800 - $235,000 CAD) including participation in the company-sponsored benefit plan(s)."

I would think coaches would be similar.

So a massive pay cut for a college coach.

 

[BowWowWow]

Anyone think Hilary Knight will go to seattle? Is she even eligible? I assume she’s under contract one more year so can’t remember if she’s eligible or not.

I would see Knight to Seattle a bit like Gretzky to LA, as far as building the sport. Truthfully and respectfully , there are better and more exciting players now, but she’s an icon of the game, would sell tickets initially, and can score goals with the right line mates.

Or does she gotta stay Boston until the end?

Which bright young stars would you like to see at the new franchisees or veteran ‘C’s to lead the way?

Well, you called Hilary Knight going to Seattle. I was incorrect in supposing Boston would protect her; you had a great intuition about that, Lindsay!

I feel like Knight will not only attract fans this season but also lead her team and possibly thrive even more than in Boston. Boston didn't seem fully to figure out the linemates for her line.

Maybe because of the focus on Knight, Seattle (GM, Meghan Turner) has been a bit slower to announce any signings than Vancouver (GM, Cara Gardner Morey). I'm also wondering when the teams/PWHL will confirm those coaching selections for the teams - reported (see post from eastcoastgopher) to be Matt Desrosiers of Clarkson for Vancouver and Dave Flint of Northeastern for Seattle.

So far, according to reports from Hailey Salvian and The Athletic's signing tracker, these signings have taken place/are taking place in the first 24 hours of the Exclusive Signing Window:
- Claire Thompson (D) - MN to Vancouver - one-year contract
- Sophie Jaques (D) - MN to Vancouver - three-year contract
- Emerance Maschmeyer (G) - Ottawa to Vancouver (not officially confirmed yet)
- Sarah Nurse (F) - TO to Vancouver (not officially confirmed yet)
- Hilary Knight (F) - BOS to Seattle - one-year contract
- Danielle Serdachny (F) - OTT to Seattle (not officially confirmed yet)
Except for Serdachny, the Canadian players have been going to Vancouver, and the one American (Knight) to Seattle. (The Victory Press expansion signing tracker, too.)

 

[Russell Jaslow]

I can't seem to find any info on the web about how much the head coaches make. Anybody have any idea? Looks like 280k to 380k for an high end college coach.

Some states, like New York, have to by law publicly disclose all public employee contracts (so for instance, I can find out how much my sister, a school teacher on Long Island, makes). There is a website where all that information is posted. Thus, any coach at a SUNY school will have their contract as public information.

Unfortunately for this discussion, there is no SUNY Division I hockey program. (Over on the D3 board, we do talk about how much the SUNY D3 coaches make.) Schools like Clarkson would not have to make this information public.

However, other states also have these public disclosure laws. So, find out if your state has this law, and if so, you can find out the D1 coaches salaries at the state schools.

 

[BowWowWow]

Now official: - Maschmeyer from OTT to Vancouver on a two-year contract
- Serdachny from OTT to Seattle on a two-year contract
The Ottawa Charge announced they will protect forward Gabbie Hughes with their 4th protection spot, now that 2 unprotected players have been signed by expansion teams.

Additionally: Minnesota announced yesterday that they will protect forward Britta Curl-Salemme, after defenders Thompson and Jaques were both signed by Vancouver. Teams will each lose 4 players total to the expansion teams, and there is a limit of 12 signings/draftings for each of the expansion teams spread across the Exclusive Signing Window (5 signings max for Seattle and for Vancouver each) and Monday's Expansion Draft.

 

[Ditra]

Well, you called Hilary Knight going to Seattle. I was incorrect in supposing Boston would protect her; you had a great intuition about that, Lindsay!

I feel like Knight will not only attract fans this season but also lead her team and possibly thrive even more than in Boston. Boston didn't seem fully to figure out the linemates for her line.

Maybe because of the focus on Knight, Seattle (GM, Meghan Turner) has been a bit slower to announce any signings than Vancouver (GM, Cara Gardner Morey). I'm also wondering when the teams/PWHL will confirm those coaching selections for the teams - reported (see post from eastcoastgopher) to be Matt Desrosiers of Clarkson for Vancouver and Dave Flint of Northeastern for Seattle.

So far, according to reports from Hailey Salvian and The Athletic's signing tracker, these signings have taken place/are taking place in the first 24 hours of the Exclusive Signing Window:
- Claire Thompson (D) - MN to Vancouver - one-year contract
- Sophie Jaques (D) - MN to Vancouver - three-year contract
- Emerance Maschmeyer (G) - Ottawa to Vancouver (not officially confirmed yet)
- Sarah Nurse (F) - TO to Vancouver (not officially confirmed yet)
- Hilary Knight (F) - BOS to Seattle - one-year contract
- Danielle Serdachny (F) - OTT to Seattle (not officially confirmed yet)
Except for Serdachny, the Canadian players have been going to Vancouver, and the one American (Knight) to Seattle. (The Victory Pressexpansion signing tracker, too.)

I read on FB that Knight has indicated she would only be playing one more season through this Olympic cycle according to some Boston fans. Maybe that is part of the reason she was unprotected?

So the league has a stated max salary of salary $80k. Are players able to get bonus money for having certain milestone accomplishments written into their contracts? Say an extra $10K if they score 20 goals or something for example like is done with NHL contracts?

 

[BowWowWow]

I read on FB that Knight has indicated she would only be playing one more season through this Olympic cycle according to some Boston fans. Maybe that is part of the reason she was unprotected?

So the league has a stated max salary of salary $80k. Are players able to get bonus money for having certain milestone accomplishments written into their contracts? Say an extra $10K if they score 20 goals or something for example like is done with NHL contracts?

She is definitely within about 3 years of retiring overall. Knight has said the 2026 Olympics will be her last Olympics, and she will retire from international play. But she may still continue to play in the PW.

On your 2nd point, the league doesn't have a maximum salary for individual players. There has been a bit of confusion among fans about that. The league and the Players' Association (currently called the PWHLPA) announced before the first season that each team must have at least 6 players signed to 3-or-more-year contracts of $80,000/year or more. Here is the website of the PWHLPA, including the collective bargaining agreement.

In the first year, each team could also sign no more than 9 players at a league-minimum contract of $35,000.

Each team was also mandated to maintain an average active-player salary of $55,000 across all 23 active players. This mandated average has increased annually by 3% to account for inflation and cost-of-living and is a little over $58k for the 2025-26 season. But it has been speculated and vaguely reported that players like Knight and Poulin are making decidedly more than $100k/year - though still very little compared to NHL peers of course.

(Edit: The PWHLPA members also recently voted overwhelmingly to disclose salaries, though it's not clear how publicly or when certain salary announcements will happen.)

The collective bargaining agreement does also include certain bonuses that accrue, not as part of individual, unique contracts but league-wide:
- playing in the All-Star game (which may have been specific to the inaugural year)
- making the playoffs
- winning a playoff series
- winning the Walter Cup
- winning an annual award
for example.

 

[Ditra]

She is definitely within about 3 years of retiring overall. Knight has said the 2026 Olympics will be her last Olympics, and she will retire from international play. But she may still continue to play in the PW.

On your 2nd point, the league doesn't have a maximum salary for individual players. There has been a bit of confusion among fans about that. The league and the Players' Association (currently called the PWHLPA) announced before the first season that each team must have at least 6 players signed to 3-or-more-year contracts of $80,000/year or more. Here is the website of the PWHLPA, including the collective bargaining agreement.

In the first year, each team could also sign no more than 9 players at a league-minimum contract of $35,000.

Each team was also mandated to maintain an average active-player salary of $55,000 across all 23 active players. This mandated average has increased annually by 3% to account for inflation and cost-of-living and is a little over $58k for the 2025-26 season. But it has been speculated and vaguely reported that players like Knight and Poulin are making decidedly more than $100k/year - though still very little compared to NHL peers of course.

(Edit: The PWHLPA members also recently voted overwhelmingly to disclose salaries, though it's not clear how publicly or when certain salary announcements will happen.)

The collective bargaining agreement does also include certain bonuses that accrue, not as part of individual, unique contracts but league-wide:
- playing in the All-Star game (which may have been specific to the inaugural year)
- making the playoffs
- winning a playoff series
- winning the Walter Cup
- winning an annual award
for example.

Thanks for the detail. Everywhere I have seen the $80k/year it has never had the "or more" at the end.

 

[BowWowWow]

A couple more updates:
- Cayla Barnes (D) from Montréal to Seattle on a 3-year contract, a great player to have in my opinion
- Sarah Nurse, officially announced, from TO to Vancouver, 1-year contract - I'm guessing she could well be their captain; she's a good example of Lindsay's point about veterans who could wear the C for one of these West Coast teams.

 

[BowWowWow]

Vancouver has signed hometown forward Jenn Gardiner to a one-year contract, coming over from MTL. Seems like a good move in terms of picking younger, rising-star players alongside Nurse for example. Wonder whether MTL will protect Erin Ambrose now that it gets the 4th protection slot.

 

[Scott_TG]

Some states, like New York, have to by law publicly disclose all public employee contracts (so for instance, I can find out how much my sister, a school teacher on Long Island, makes). There is a website where all that information is posted. Thus, any coach at a SUNY school will have their contract as public information.

Unfortunately for this discussion, there is no SUNY Division I hockey program. (Over on the D3 board, we do talk about how much the SUNY D3 coaches make.) Schools like Clarkson would not have to make this information public.

However, other states also have these public disclosure laws. So, find out if your state has this law, and if so, you can find out the D1 coaches salaries at the state schools.

For the public schools in D1 WIH here's the latest for each coach. This is only their pay from the institution, not any other gigs/businesses/endorsements. If I'm forgetting a public school apologies.

Mark Johnson's Wisconsin salary was listed as just a smidge under $530k in 2024.
Nadine Muzerall's 2022 Ohio State salary was listed at $350k and 2023 at $346k, can't find a 2024 figure.
Laura Schuler's 2024 UMD salary is listed as $215k
Brad Frost's Minnesota salary for 2024 is listed as $210k
Brian Idalski's St. Cloud State salary for 2024 is listed at $142k
Chris MacKenzie's UConn salary for 2024 is listed as just under $139k
Hilary Witt's UNH salary for 2024 is listed at $133k
Molly Engstrom's Maine salary for 2024 is listed as just under $129k
Jim Plumer's UVM salary for 2024 is listed at $121k
Ambery Fryklund's Bemidji St salary for 2024 is listed at $108k
Shari Dickerman's MSU-Mankato salary for 2024 is listed as $87k

So it would be a pay cut for those in the very top jobs for sure.

 

[ARM]

For the public schools in D1 WIH here's the latest for each coach. This is only their pay from the institution, not any other gigs/businesses/endorsements. If I'm forgetting a public school apologies.

Thanks for compiling all of this information. Penn State is the one that comes to mind.

 

[Scott_TG]

Thanks for compiling all of this information. Penn State is the one that comes to mind.

It's the most bizarre thing but I can't find either Kampersal or Newkirk (or the men's hockey coaches) in the public employees database. Could they somehow be paid by a private source?

 

[eastcoastgopher]

It's the most bizarre thing but I can't find either Kampersal or Newkirk (or the men's hockey coaches) in the public employees database. Could they somehow be paid by a private source?

I believe the Pennsylvania public colleges are not technically completely public. It's weird. I'd try to explain it, but here's the Wikipedia article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_System_of_Higher_Education

 

[Scott_TG]

I believe the Pennsylvania public colleges are not technically completely public. It's weird. I'd try to explain it, but here's the Wikipedia article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_System_of_Higher_Education

But there's a database that has professors, admins, etc for PSU. It has coaches and trainers from the non-main campus athletics programs...but somehow I can't find the PSU coaches. Ultimately I'm not going to go on a quest to dig into Kampersal's wallet. I compiled that list to help establish context based on publicly available data. But there is something strange with PSU athletics compared to other D1 public schools in hockey.