Podcast
At Even Strength: A Women's Hockey Podcast
At Even Strength is your all-access pass to the full spectrum of women’s hockey. From the ice of the PWHL and NCAA to international tournaments and grassroots development, we cover every level of the game with insight, analysis, and conversation that matters.
Each week, we break down the biggest headlines, highlight standout players, and explore the stories shaping the sport—on and off the ice. Whether you’re a longtime fan, a player, or just discovering the women’s game, At Even Strength brings you the smart, honest, and passionate coverage women’s hockey deserves.
- Episodes
- 35
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 46 min
- On air since
- 2025
- Latest episode
- 2 weeks ago
Episodes
35 episodes, newest first
-
42 min
Women’s Worlds Preview, Corrine Schroeder Injured, PWHL Signings & the Bill That Could Change College Hockey Forever
Episode 35
Show notes
Season 4 is almost here — and this week Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner have a full slate before the puck drops.
First: the PWHL signing wave continues. Kirsten Simms locks in a three-year deal with Toronto — exactly what the Sceptres needed heading into a reset season. The New York Sirens extend Misha Nylander-Persson on a one-year deal to anchor their blue line, and Denisa Křížová gets a second year tacked onto her existing contract. Plus the duo digs into why salary transparency still lags in women’s hockey — and why roster size opacity is making it worse.
Then the conversation that’s been building all offseason: a bill introduced by Republican lawmakers in September would cap international student participation on NCAA varsity rosters at 20%. Erica and Rachel break down what the TEAM USA Act actually says, why it’s solving a problem that doesn’t exist for international athletes on student visas, and why women’s hockey — built on a pipeline of Canadian and European players coming through the NCAA — would feel this more than almost any other sport. Plus: what it means for PWHL scouting if that pipeline disappears.
Then it’s the Women’s World Championships preview. Corinne Schroeder suffered an off-ice injury at Hockey Canada’s camp, putting her status in doubt just weeks before the tournament opens November 6th in Denmark. Erica and Rachel break down both the Hockey Canada and Team USA rosters — the notable absences on the Canadian side (MPP, Sarah Nurse, Natalie Spooner, Blayre Turnbull), the Chloe Primerano opportunity, and what the USA’s minimal changes between camps tells us about where they stand. Plus the full Group A and Group B breakdown, the USA-Canada exhibition games on October 28th and 30th, and Austria’s surprising new front office led by Gina Kingsbury.
0:00 — Intro: PWHL signing news, a congressional bill, and the Women’s Worlds preview
2:00 — Kirsten Simms signs three years with Toronto, Misha Nylander-Persson re-ups with New York, and Denisa Křížová’s contract extension
4:30 — Salary transparency and roster size opacity: why women’s hockey still has work to do
8:00 — The TEAM USA Act: what capping international NCAA rosters at 20% would actually mean
13:30 — Why women’s hockey would be among the hardest hit — and what it means for PWHL scouting
19:00 — Corinne Schroeder injured at Hockey Canada camp — what it means for San Jose and Team Canada’s goaltending depth
25:00 — Hockey Canada camp roster breakdown: who’s in, who’s out, and Chloe Primerano’s opportunity
30:00 — Team USA’s second camp: Grace Dwyer out, Callie Shanahan in, and what minimal changes signal
35:30 — Women’s Worlds Group A and Group B preview: USA, Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, Finland, and more
40:00 — Austria with Gina Kingsbury at the helm, Theresa Schafzahl connection, and what to watch for in Denmark
43:00 — What’s coming: weekly episodes start in November, expansion team previews, and the road to puck dropAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
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• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
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🎧 LISTEN
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📖 READ
• More Black women in sports news:
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...
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32 min
PWHL Expansion Jerseys REVEALED, KK Harvey’s 3-Year Deal & What Training Camp Rosters Tell Us About Season 4
Episode 34
Show notes
Season 4 is coming together fast — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner are back together to break it all down.
First up: the expansion team jerseys are here. Las Vegas goes desert camo — sagebrush green with navy accents that reads military fatigue but works on the ice. San Jose gets an A-minus with sherbet orange and ocean blue that’s giving California vibes and wearability. Hamilton brings burgundy and gold with an orangey accent that’s giving golden gopher energy — sharp, but not as sharp as San Jose.
And Detroit? They nailed it. Red and white with a classic hockey look that’ll be the easiest to read on TV all season — and debuting it with Hilary Knight in motion was the right call. Vancouver’s jerseys leaked, and they look great. Seattle’s color scheme still isn’t anyone’s favorite, but the jury’s out until we see it under arena lights.
Then the signings: KK Harvey finally puts pen to paper on a three-year deal with Vancouver — the first contract signed by the Golden Eyes’ new GM. Grace Dwyer goes to Boston on a three-year deal out of Cornell. Las Vegas gets three draft picks done in one day: Lacey Eden on two years, plus Issy Wunder and Josefin Bouveng. Hamilton signs Nelli Laitinen to three years and Jada Iginla to one.
Rachel breaks down the training camp math: 346 camp invites for 312 spots across 12 teams, with San Jose and Hamilton leading in camp invites. Training camps open in November — just two days after Women’s Worlds wrap in Denmark. And the expansion team names? They’ve been circulated internally. A leak is probably coming.
0:00 — Intro: jerseys, signings, training camp rosters, and what’s still coming before puck drop
2:00 — Conference structure revisited: is the expansion-heavy West a competitive fairness issue?
4:30 — Expansion team jersey rankings: Las Vegas, San Jose, Hamilton, and Detroit reviewed
9:30 — Vancouver jersey leak and Seattle’s color scheme — what we know and what we’re waiting on
12:00 — Schedule release breakdown: Takeover Tour dates, alternate venues, and what TBD actually tells us
15:00 — Playoff format debate: is eight of twelve teams making it too many — and could the PWHL go WNBA-style?
18:30 — KK Harvey signs three years with Vancouver, Grace Dwyer to Boston, and Las Vegas gets three done in one day
22:00 — Training camp roster math: 346 invites, 312 spots, and what the breakdown tells us about each team
26:00 — Training camps open in November, Women’s Worlds overlap, and expansion team names incoming
29:00 — What’s next: expansion team previews, games to circle, and the road to Season 4ABOUT THE SHOW
At Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner.
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
▶︎ Exclusive Interviews:• Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
📖 READ
• More Black women in sports news: https://tinyurl.com/4rcatcuw
💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbV9SNW1fT0dQVU1lMWJ5ano4NGpadDJ2aWotd3xBQ3Jtc0tsbVg1SHhYTkptbVB5ZEFWUlZNMXl2dUJMcDlEcE9Pa2RiREsxak1IZ210bXZDOVNJSzFJS1ZIeWg4Y3FRRjk3ZHNreDYyNUtPLWtJbnZHVFJKNUFQU0xsZG45NXUtRXJPd0pEZk9oQXFaNFp1QzFFYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fbetting%2F&v=eeLldlFyMBUhttps://tinyurl.com/4rcatcuw
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:
-
7 min
PWHL Season 4 Schedule Breakdown: Conferences, Playoff Structure & What We Still Don't Know
Episode 33
Show notes
The PWHL schedule is out — and Rachel Donner breaks it all down solo on this special edition of At Even Strength.
Twelve teams, two conferences, 30 games per team.
The Eastern Conference features Boston, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton as the lone expansion team in the East. The Western Conference brings together Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, Minnesota, Seattle, and Vancouver — expansion-heavy and geographically spread out in a way that makes travel a real storyline for Season 4.
18 games in conference, 12 out of conference, which means every team visits every market at some point — though not necessarily every arena. The Takeover Tour is baked into the schedule with asterisks marking neutral-site games and carrots marking alternate venues like the Bell Centre in Montréal and Madison Square Garden in New York, with specific locations still TBD.
And the playoff format question that's been haunting Erica and Rachel all offseason finally has an answer: eight teams make it — four from each conference. The conference winner gets to choose their opponent from the third- or fourth-place team (not second), best of three in round one, best of five in the semis, and then the Walter Cup Finals. Season opener: December 6th–13th, following Women's Worlds.
0:00 — Breaking news: the PWHL Season 4 schedule is here — Rachel goes solo
1:00 — 30 games, two conferences, 18 in-conference and 12 out-of-conference games explained
2:15 — Eastern Conference breakdown: Boston, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton
3:30 — Western Conference breakdown: Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, Minnesota, Seattle, and Vancouver
4:15 — Takeover Tour and alternate venues: how to read the asterisks and carrots in the schedule
5:15 — Playoff format revealed: 8 teams, conference winners choose their opponent, best of three in round one
6:30 — Season opener: December 6th–13th, and what questions still remain heading into Season 4At Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
▶︎ Exclusive Interviews:• Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
-
47 min
PWHL's First Ever All-Star Weekend, Seattle Torrent Season 4 Preview & Mark Walter Update
Episode 32
Show notes
The PWHL is going to its first-ever All-Star Weekend — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner have a lot to say about it. March 7th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the format mirrors the World Cup of Hockey: Team USA, Team Canada, Team International, and a Rookies team playing 3-on-3. Erica and Rachel break down why the rookie angle is the most exciting part, what the broadcast will need to do to make it land, and why 12 teams is exactly the right moment for the league to pull this off.
Then it's Hockey Canada news: Corey Cheverie is the new head coach, elevated from an assistant role under Troy Ryan. Danièle Sauvageau is the new GM, with Ottawa's Mike Hirschfeld and Detroit's Manon Rhéaume joining as assistant GMs and Kris Sparre — fresh off Coach of the Year honors in the PWHL — coming on as an assistant coach.
Erica and Rachel dig into whether promoting from within is the right call, what Bruce Cassidy's role as special advisor actually means, and the ongoing overlap between Hockey Canada and PWHL front offices.
Then the Seattle Torrent deep dive. A team that allowed 92 goals — the most in the league by a significant margin — lost Hilary Knight, Hannah Bilka, Kayla Barnes, and Kareem Schroeder to expansion, and moved on from their first head coach. Christine Bumstead steps up from the assistant role, Abby Murphy comes in as the number two overall pick, and CJ Jackson returns with something to prove. Is this a team with a real path forward — or is Year 2 going to look a lot like Year 1?
Finally: the Mark Walter update everyone needs to hear. PWHL trademarks have been put up as collateral in connection with Walter's ongoing loan fraud investigation. Erica and Rachel break down what that actually means, why it's getting closer to the league, and why they're watching — but not panicking yet.
0:00 — Intro: PWHL All-Star Weekend announced, Hockey Canada news, Seattle deep dive, and Mark Walter update
2:30 — PWHL's first-ever All-Star Weekend: March 7th at Scotiabank Arena, the 3-on-3 format, and why the Rookies team is going to steal the show
9:00 — Hockey Canada coaching staff: Corey Cheverie as head coach, Kris Sparre as assistant, and what promoting from within signals
13:00 — Danièle Sauvageau as Team Canada GM: the Hockey Canada front office overhaul and Bruce Cassidy's advisory role explained
18:30 — Seattle Torrent Season 3 review: 92 goals allowed, even-strength scoring problems, and what went wrong
22:00 — Expansion losses: Hilary Knight, Hannah Bilka, Cayla Barnes, Corrine Schroeder — and whether Seattle's reset makes sense
27:30 — Abbey Murphy at #2 overall, CJ Jackson returning, and how Christine Bumstead might fix the goaltending question
33:00 — Seattle's path forward: Alex Carpenter, Julia Gosling, Sydney Morrow on the blue line, and what the top line could look like
40:00 — Mark Walter update: PWHL trademarks used as loan collateral — what it means and why AES is watching closelyAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
▶︎ Exclusive Interviews:• Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
-
42 min
Hilary Knight Returns to Team USA, PWHL Gets a TV Deal & New York + Vancouver Season 4 Previews
Episode 31
Show notes
NOTE: An earlier version of this episode implied Tereza Vanizova was no longer with the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
Season 4 is almost here — and this episode opens with breaking news.
As Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner were recording, USA Hockey dropped its 31-player training camp roster with a familiar name on it: Hilary Knight, listed as playing for PWHL Detroit. Erica confirmed with USA Hockey in real time — Knight is expected at both camps: the first runs September 13–19 in Minnesota, and the second October 23–30 in Plymouth, Michigan, in preparation for a USA vs. Canada game October 28th in Windsor. What everyone thought was a full retirement from international hockey appears to have been an Olympic retirement only.
Then the news keeps coming. The PWHL officially has a US national broadcast partner: ION and Scripps Sports. That means a weekly Saturday Game of the Week on ION, two additional national games per week on Scripps Sports Network, and ION carrying the Walter Cup Finals and playoffs exclusively. Erica and Rachel break down what the ION model means for women's sports fans who already know what the network did for the WNBA — and what questions remain about the playoff format and broadcast rights.
Plus, the PWHL preseason schedule is set: centralized hub tournaments in Las Vegas, Boston, Hamilton, and San Jose in late November before the regular season starts no earlier than December 2nd. Media and fan access details are still coming — but this is a significant step up from last year's closed scrimmages.
Then it's the deep dives. New York Sirens first: a team that lost Kaylee Osborne, Taylor Girard, Kayla Vespa, Allyson Simpson, and a full line to San Jose in expansion, and a full line to San Jose in expansion — and responded by signing McKenna Webster (a 2025 draft pick returning from the US field hockey national team), Elaine Chuli, and first-round pick Emma Peschel out of Ohio State. Can Sarah Fillier, Casey O'Brien, and a rebuilt blue line carry them back to the postseason?
Then Vancouver Goldeneyes: Cara Gardner Morey stepped down as GM to become head coach — and Erica and Rachel make the case that she's actually the best person to unlock this team's potential because she built it herself. KK Harvey hasn't been officially signed yet despite the fanfare. The worst power play in the league has nowhere to go but up. And this is Year 2 for a team that never quite gelled in Year 1.
0:00 — Breaking news: Hilary Knight confirmed on USA Hockey's 31-player training camp roster
4:30 — What Hilary Knight returning to Team USA actually means — Olympic retirement vs. full retirement
8:00 — ION and Scripps Sports: the PWHL finally has a US national broadcast partner — what it means for fans
13:15 — PWHL preseason schedule: hub tournaments, fan access, and why the regular season won't start until December
17:30 — New York Sirens Season 4 preview: expansion losses, McKenna Webster, and the goaltending question
24:00 — New York's draft class, Emma Peschel, and whether the rebuilt blue line can support Sarah Fillier
29:30 — Vancouver Goldeneyes Season 4 preview: Cara Gardner Morey moves to head coach — and why that might be the smartest move in the league
36:00 — Vancouver's power play problem, KK Harvey's unsigned status, and what Year 2 needs to look like
40:00 — Looking ahead: Seattle, Women's Worlds in Denmark, and MPP's expected absence from Team Canada campAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
▶︎ Exclusive Interviews:• Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
📖 READ
• More Black women in sports news:
💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Wo...
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49 min
PWHL Deep Dive: Minnesota Frost & Toronto Sceptres Season 3 Recap| Plus Mark Walter & Stan Kasten Statement
Episode 30
Show notes
Black Rosie Media got a statement from the PWHL — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner open by breaking it down word by word. Stan Kasten says the league will "continue to operate with the same long-term outlook," but says nothing about the ten-year funding plan, nothing about the risks of single-entity ownership, and nothing about what Mark Walter's federal investigation actually means for the PWHL's future. Erica was also quoted in an NBC News piece on the subject, and player agents anonymously told reporters there's no panic from players — yet. The Walter Cup went missing during Montréal's celebrations, too. Lighter in stakes, but hard to ignore given the circumstances.
Then it's into the deep dives. Minnesota Frost first: a team that made the first three Finals and got knocked out in the semis for the first time, losing Britta Curl-Salemme to Detroit and Nicole Hensley to Las Vegas in expansion — two of the biggest departures of any team in the league. Erica and Rachel ask whether Kendall Coyne Schofield's status, a defense corps that lost three key pieces, and a lack of proven replacements signal trouble heading into Season 4, or whether stability in the coaching staff gives them the runway to reload.
Then Toronto Six: a team that has stayed frustratingly compact — never bad enough to bottom out, never good enough to break through. With Troy Ryan gone to San Jose, new head coach Pascal Rhéaume inherits a roster that just lost Daryl Watts, Jessie Compher, and Maggie Connors to expansion, has Blayre Turnbull on parental leave, and is asking Raygan Kirk to carry the goaltending almost entirely alone. Is the new coaching staff the unlock Toronto has been waiting for — or are there just too many questions?
0:00 — Intro: Black Rosie Media gets a statement from the PWHL on the Mark Walter investigation
3:15 — Breaking down Stan Kasten's statement: what it says, what it doesn't, and why the ten-year plan question still stands
8:00 — NBC News coverage, anonymous agent quotes, and why player concern (or lack of it) matters
10:30 — The Walter Cup went missing during Montréal's celebrations — and why it's hard to separate from the bigger story
14:30 — Minnesota Frost Season 3 review: what knocked them out of the semifinals for the first time
20:00 — Minnesota's offseason: Britta Curl-Salemme to Detroit, Nicole Hensley to Las Vegas, and what's left
28:00 — Toronto Six Season 3 review: why a team with talent keeps finishing in the middle
35:00 — Toronto's offseason: coaching change, expansion losses, Blayre Turnbull on parental leave, and Raygan Kirk's heavy load
43:00 — Looking ahead: Hamilton's front office, the expansion team to watch, and what's next in the deep dive seriesAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
▶︎ Exclusive Interviews:• Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
📖 READ
• More Black women in sports news:
💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbV9SNW1fT0dQVU1lMWJ5ano4NGpadDJ2aWotd3xBQ3Jtc0tsbVg1SHhYTkptbVB5ZEFWUlZNMXl2dUJMcDlEcE9Pa2RiREsxak1IZ210bXZDOVNJSzFJS1ZIeWg4Y3FRRjk3ZHNreDYyNUtPLWtJbnZHVFJKNUFQU0xsZG45NXUtRXJPd0pEZk9oQXFaNFp1QzFFYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fbetting%2F&v=eeLldlFyMBU
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:
ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
-
55 min
PWHL Deep Dive: Ottawa Charge & Boston Fleet Season 3 Review | Plus Mark Walter Updates
Episode 29
Show notes
The Mark Walter Group is selling the Lakers — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner open with what that means for the PWHL. With Walter's sports portfolio unwinding fast (Lakers sold, Dodgers potentially next, LA Sparks future uncertain), the question the league still hasn't answered is whether the original ten-year funding commitment still holds. The PWHL hasn't commented.
Erica and Rachel break down what we know, what we don't, and why the silence itself is part of the story.
Then it's into the team-by-team deep dives. Ottawa first: a squad that made back-to-back Finals and lost Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Peyton Hemp, Alexa Vasco, Rory Gilday, and Stephanie Markowski to expansion and free agency. Erica and Rachel assess whether Ottawa's decision to stay patient, keep their young core, and not chase free agency is a smart long game — or a missed window. Plus: Fanuza Kadirova's extension, Jocelyn LaRocque, Katarzyna Mrazova, and Ottawa's move to Canadian Tire Centre.
Then Boston: the Fleet lost their Coach of the Year in Kris Sparre to Hamilton, their leading goal scorer in Jessie Eldridge to Montréal, and Alina Müller to Hamilton as well. Now they're on their third head coach in three seasons in François Mathot — who, notably, coached Haley Winn as a kid. Aaron Frankel returns as one of the best goalies in the league, Abby Newhook gets a new deal, and Erica and Rachel ask the real question: who steps up when the top of the lineup is gone?
0:00 — Intro: Mark Walter sells the Lakers, what's next for the PWHL, and tonight's episode rundown
3:30 — Mark Walter Group update: Lakers sale, Dodgers uncertainty, LA Sparks limbo, and what the original ten-year funding promise means now
8:45 — Why the PWHL's silence on the Walter investigation is itself a story — and what it might be delaying
14:00 — Ottawa Charge deep dive: what back-to-back Finals losses and four expansion teams cost them this offseason
20:15 — Ottawa's decision to stand pat: smart long game or missed free agency window?
26:30 — Ottawa to Canadian Tire Centre: what the arena move means for fans, accessibility, and the Charge's identity
31:00 — Boston Fleet deep dive: losing Kris Sparre, Jessie Eldridge, and Alina Mueller — and what's left
38:00 — François Mathot takes over as Boston's third coach in three seasons — his history with Haley Winn and what it signals
43:30 — Aaron Frankel, Abby Newhook, and who steps up to replace Boston's lost production
49:00 — Amanda Boulier from Montréal and what Boston's blue line looks like heading into camp
52:00 — What's next: Minnesota, Toronto, New York, Seattle, Vancouver, and the four expansion teams still to comeAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
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-
47 min
The PWHL Has 12 Teams Now — Does That Mean Conferences, New Playoffs & Bigger Arenas? | Montréal Victoire Deep Dive
Episode 28
Show notes
The PWHL offseason just got a lot more complicated. Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner open with the news that can't be ignored: the Mark Walter Group — majority owner of the PWHL — is under federal investigation for loan fraud, with the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI both involved. Erica and Rachel break down what we know, what we don't, and what history tells us about what happens to women's leagues when the money behind them comes under scrutiny.
Then it's Vancouver's turn in the spotlight. Cara Gardner Morey is stepping down as GM of the Goldeneyes to take over as head coach — and Erica and Rachel have the receipts, including a clip from Morey's media availability where she explains why she chose to go all in on coaching and what the GM year gave her that most coaches never get.
Plus: Danièle Sauvageau is taking on the GM role for the Canadian women's national team while staying with Montréal through Season 4
Finally, the Montréal Victoire deep dive kicks off the team-by-team series.
With Marie-Philip Poulin's status still unknown, four players lost to expansion, and Jessie Eldridge and Emma Maltais as the two biggest offseason additions, Erica and Rachel assess whether the defending champions left themselves in a position to compete — and what Anne-Renée Desbiens in net means for their ceiling regardless of what happens up front.
0:00 — Intro: BRM's values, the news ahead, and why this episode matters beyond hockey
3:45 — Mark Walter Group federal investigation: what we know, what it could mean for the PWHL
10:30 — Vancouver Goldeneyes: Cara Morey steps down as GM to take over as head coach — her media availability and what she said about the dual role question
17:20 — Danièle Sauvageau to Team Canada GM: what the transition means for Montréal and Hockey Canada's rebuild
25:00 — Montréal Victoire Deep Dive: expansion losses, the Jessie Eldridge & Emma Maltais signings, and what the roster looks like without MPP
33:30 — Anne-Renée Desbiens, the goaltending tandem question, and what Montréal's defensive identity looks like in Season 4
40:00 — Players to watch in camp: Katie Tabin's expanded role and what the blue line scoring picture looks like after Nicole Gosling's departure
44:00 — What's next: Ottawa and Boston deep dives coming, and Erica's Amerigol Latam Cup broadcasting runAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
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Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
-
41 min
The PWHL Has 12 Teams Now — Does That Mean Conferences, New Playoffs & Bigger Arenas?
Episode 27
Show notes
The PWHL offseason is back in motion — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner have a lot of ground to cover.
First up: with twelve teams now in the league, should the PWHL move to a conference structure? Erica and Rachel break down what conferences would actually mean for travel, playoffs, and the all-star format — and why the more pressing question might be what a twelve-team postseason even looks like.
Then it's a full arena capacity rundown for Season 4, including two teams moving to new homes. Boston's move to Agganis Arena puts them closer to the city but at the league's lowest capacity — and why that might actually be the smart play. Ottawa's jump to Canadian Tire Centre nearly doubles their capacity to 18,000, and the implications for one of the league's most loyal fanbases. Plus a full league-wide breakdown from Detroit's Little Caesars Arena at the top to Toronto's Coca-Cola Coliseum bringing up the rear.
Finally: the signings. Haley Winn and Abby Newhook locked up in Boston, Fanuza Kadirova on a two-year extension in Ottawa, Sarah Wozniak on a three-year deal, and what Ottawa's youth movement signals for Season 4 — including the addition of Katarzyna Mrazova and Jocelyn LaRocque. Plus a broader conversation about what expansion means for access to the league and who gets to be a professional hockey player.
0:00 — Welcome back: what's happened since the July break and what's coming this episode
3:35 — Should the PWHL move to conferences? Travel, playoffs, and what women's sports leagues have learned
8:15 — The real question: what does a twelve-team postseason structure look like?
15:20 — Arenas and capacity: Boston's move to Agganis Arena and why lower capacity in the right location might be the winning play
22:00 — Ottawa to Canadian Tire Centre: nearly doubling capacity and what that means for the Charge fanbase
27:20 — Full league capacity rankings: Detroit to Toronto, every arena for Season 4
30:35 — The signings that matter: Haley Winn, Abby Newhook, Fanuza Kadirova, and Ottawa's youth movement
35:15 — Expansion and access: who gets to be a professional hockey player and why Season 4 changes that conversation
38:30 — What's next: team-by-team deep dives, every-other-week schedule through August, and how to follow alongAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
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Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
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-
50 min
What Happens to Montréal Without MPP? | Hilary Knight's 3-Year Extension & PWHL Offseason Intel
Episode 26
Show notes
Marie-Philip Poulin is heading into surgery — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner have a lot to say about what that means for Montréal, for women's hockey, and for one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.
Plus: Hillary Knight commits to Detroit on a three-year deal, Rachel brings back intel from the PWHL Draft floor and GM availability, and the duo breaks down where several teams — including San Jose, Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Seattle — actually stand heading into Season 4.
0:00 — Intro: MPP's surgery, Hilary Knight's extension, and draft GM intel previewed
1:00 — Marie-Philip Poulin's ACL/MCL surgery: what we know, what we don't, and the retirement question
3:50 — The bigger conversation: how knee injuries affect female athletes differently — and what women's sports is (slowly) learning
6:10 — Playing GM for Montréal: did the Victoire's offseason moves quietly plan for life without MPP?
14:00 — Rachel's draft floor reporting: PWHL San Jose, Troy Ryan's dual GM/HC role, and questions about where the scoring comes from
19:50 — Hamilton quietly built a problem: why the Kaylee Osborne-led squad could be the hardest team to play against in Season 4
28:40 — Ottawa Charge GM Mike Hirschfeld on the "retool," grit as an identity, and why back-to-back Finals are both a gift and a burden
38:20 — Hilary Knight signs a three-year extension with Detroit — what it means for the franchise, the fanbase, and the future of women's pro hockey
41:40 — Detroit's roster breakdown: why the role model factor on this team is elite
42:35 — Seattle Torrent check-in: too many departures to ignore — and whether the pieces can click under Christine Bumstead
45:45 — Goaltending across the league: the case for true tandems and why expansion opens real opportunities for backups
48:30 — Offseason outlook: what's coming, when to expect it, and a brief hiatus before Season 4 coverage kicks into gearAt Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop Saturdays on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
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-
57 min
🚨 PWHL Draft Recap: Caroline Harvey to Vancouver, Lacey Eden's Draft Day Steal, and the Draft Order Controversy That Has Everyone Talking
Episode 25
Show notes
Caroline "KK" Harvey going first overall to Vancouver was never in question — but everything after that? Pure chaos. Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner break down every pick from the Fox Theatre in Detroit, debate who actually won this draft, and dig into the draft order controversy that's got Sirens and Toronto fans rightfully heated.
Inside this episode:
• Round one reactions: Lacey Eden's stunning slide to Vegas, and why Erica calls her the real winner of this draft
• A frank conversation about Megan Turner's "character" comments on the Abby Murphy pick — and what's really being asked of fans when a front office says "good person"
• The Gold Plan, the draft order, and why Vegas/Detroit/Hamilton picking ahead of Toronto and New York has fans crying foul
• Mama Edwards, Alicia Crank's big moment with Katelyn Roberts, and the most heartfelt carpet interviews of the weekendThis is At Even Strength, part of Black Rosie Media — deep dives into the PWHL, college hockey, and the international women's hockey landscape. New episodes weekly.
🔔 Subscribe for full PWHL coverage all offseason
📲 Follow @AtEvenStrength on TikTok for draft floor clips and carpet interviews
🎧 Audio episodes wherever you listen to podcasts0:00 – KK Harvey to Vancouver: official, but the drama is just starting
0:57 – Lacey Eden's draft day redemption arc (the real draft winner?)
3:00 – The Abby Murphy "character" conversation gets real
9:50 – Wisconsin dominates round one, Kirsten Sims' surprise slide
15:25 – Detroit's electric first pick atmosphere — bracelet lights and all
15:55 – Manon Rhéaume to Andrea Braendli: goalie picks goalie, full circle
29:00 – The Gold Plan breakdown: why the draft order sparked outrage
35:00 – "The fix is in, folks" — timing of the draft order reveal
46:00 – Mama Edwards steals the carpet (again)
52:00 – Kris Sparre's emotional move from Boston to Hamilton, for family#PWHL #PWHLDraft #WomensHockey #AtEvenStrength #BlackRosieMedia #CarolineHarvey #LailaEdwards #AbbyMurphy #DetroitExpansion #SeattleTorrent
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ABOUT THE SHOW
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-
57 min
PWHL Free Agency Phase 4 Preview | Hillary Knight Trade, Daryl Watts, Detroit & Women’s Coaching Pipeline
Episode 24
Show notes
The PWHL expansion era is in full swing — and Erica Al Ala and Rachel Donner are breaking down every move. On this episode of At Even Strength, we recap Phases 2 and 3 of PWHL free agency and look ahead to what Phase 4 means for Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, San Jose, Seattle, and Vancouver.
In this episode:
🏒 Hillary Knight to Detroit — Vegas used the EFO, the sign-and-trade is in motion, and a one-year deal tells you everything you need to know about where this is heading
🏒 Daryl Watts signs the PWHL's first-ever 4-year contract with Detroit — a landmark moment for the league
🏒 Detroit's roster is building fast — Hayley Scamurra, Aerin Frankel, Mae Batherson, Nicole Hensley, Taylor Gerrard, Sidney Bard, Jesse Compher, Britta Curl Salemi, Hannah Bilka, and Kayla Barnes are already in the fold
🏒 Seattle's roster shakeup — Alex Carpenter, Julia Gosling, Michaela Grant-Mentis, and Danielle Serdachny form the core going forward, and why this looks like a youth movement
🏒 What Phase 4 opens up — Kristen Campbell available from Vancouver, goaltending questions for Detroit, and which unprotected players could reshape rosters
🏒 Existing teams: protection strategy breakdown — Montreal's cap flexibility after losing high-paid players, Minnesota keeping Maddie Rooney, Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein, and Grace Zumwinkle, and Toronto protecting Natalie Spooner and Kali Flanagan
🏒 Coaching hires — Molly Engstrom named head coach of Detroit (a deep dive into her player and coaching pedigree), and Christine Bumstead promoted to head coach of the Seattle Torrent after running the power play in Year 1
🏒 The women's coaching pipeline — are the best PWHL coaching candidates stuck as college assistants with nowhere to go? Can the PWHL lure them away? And will former PWHL players skip college coaching entirely and come straight to the pro bench?
Plus: Rachel Donner is going boots on the ground in Detroit for the PWHL Entry Draft and awards — is it the KK Harvey show at #1? Will Vancouver trade the pick? And where does Hillary Knight ultimately land?
🎙️ At Even Strength is a women's hockey podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. We cover the PWHL, NCAA women's hockey, and international play — with the depth and analysis the game deserves.
Enjoyed this episode? Here's how to stay in the loop:
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Phase 4 is here: what's at stake for every expansion team
6:00 – Hillary Knight to Detroit: breaking down the sign-and-trade
14:00 – Daryl Watts signs the PWHL's first-ever 4-year contract
23:00 – Minnesota, Montreal & Toronto: how the existing teams protected their core
27:00 – Seattle's roster overhaul: who stays, who goes, what's next
30:00 – Phase 4 preview: Kristen Campbell, goaltending, and key free agents still available
42:00 – Molly Engstrom & Christine Bumstead hired: the women's coaching pipeline is real
52:00 – Can the PWHL pull college coaches away? The future of women in hockey leadershipFollow us on Bluesky social!
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1 hr 2 min
Hilary Knight, Daryl Watts & the PWHL Expansion Shakeup | Protected Players & Salary Breakdown
Episode 23
Show notes
The expansion era is here — and we have a LOT to unpack. Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner break down everything that went down in Phase 1 of the PWHL's player distribution process, react to the league-wide protected player lists, and discuss what those choices signal about each franchise's direction heading into a pivotal offseason.
We dig into why Seattle's decision not to protect Hillary Knight raised eyebrows (and what Meghan Turner's carefully worded press availability may have revealed between the lines), whether Toronto is already at a structural disadvantage with Hamilton setting up shop next door, and how Boston's third coaching change in as many seasons might actually be the right call.
Then we get into the conversation the league can't avoid forever: salary transparency. With 2025–26 salaries disclosed but new signing numbers staying quiet, what does that mean for players negotiating in the dark — and for a league locked into a CBA through 2031 while women's sports revenues are exploding?
PLUS: A solo update from Erica on Phase 2 signings as of June 8 — including Daryl Watts to PWHL Detroit, Brianne Jenner to PWHL Hamilton, and what the expansion rosters are starting to look like.
At Even Strength is Black Rosie Media's PWHL podcast, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop regularly throughout the season. Subscribe so you never miss a drop.
0:00 – Protected Players, Salary Disclosure & Expansion News
3:20 – Phase 2 Update (June 8): San Jose, Las Vegas, Hamilton & Detroit Signings
4:31 – Phase 1 Protected Player Lists: All 8 Teams Revealed
6:37 – Hilary Knight Not Protected: Surprise or Writing on the Wall?
9:18 – Seattle's Youth Movement: Coaching Change & Hannah Murphy in Goal
12:09 – Toronto in Trouble? Daryl Watts Walks, Hamilton Looms Large
15:26 – Boston's New Head Coach
18:05 – Protecting a Goalie & Two Defenders — Why Boston's List Was Still Right
27:58 – New York Sirens: Was Not Protecting Kaylee Osborne a Mistake?
37:45 – Ottawa Charge: The Case For (and Against) Their Protected List
49:44 – Salary Transparency: Why the Numbers Stopped at 2025–26
55:27 – PWHL's CBA, Single Ownership & What Players Stand to Lose If Salaries Don't Scale🔔 Subscribe for PWHL coverage all expansion long
📺 Playlist: At Even Strength —
🎙️ Audio: Available on Transistor and most podcast platforms — link in show notesFollow us on Bluesky social!
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-
17 min
The Meghan Turner Interview: The Seattle Torrent Taking Inventory in the Offseason Bonus
Episode 22
Show notes
The Seattle Torrent announced they will be in search of a new head coach. In a press release distributed Friday, general manager Meghan Turner said the following:
“We are grateful to Steve for his contributions to the Seattle Torrent during our inaugural season. We wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future."
The organization will begin the search for its next Head Coach immediately.
The Torrent finished its inaugural season with an overall record of 8-1-5-16 with 31 points for a last place finish. The team also missed out on the first overall pick to Vancouver, but is expected to have a high draft pick. At Even Strength host Erica L. Ayala spoke to Turner at the espnW Summit in New York City earlier this month.
Hear what Meghan had to say about building a franchise in a women’s hockey-loving city, where the team needs to improve, and her high-level thoughts on top prospects Laila Edwards and Caroline “KK” Harvey.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
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At Even Strength on TikTok
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Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
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ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
-
49 min
Montreal Wins its First PWHL Championship! Plus, Curious Coaching Changes Ahead of Entry Draft
Episode 21
Show notes
Montreal has done it!
The Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge 4-0 in Game 4 to win its first-ever Walter Cup. Abby Roque scored twice in the game, including on a EPIC jailbreak goal. Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin was named the Finals MVP.
At Even Strength hosts Rachel Donner and Erica L. Ayala break down the series, including how Carla Macleod handled the loss, and the season, with grace. Plus, the hosts discuss the recent news Meghan Duggan and Troy Ryan have been tapped as the general managers of PWHL Hamilton and PWHL San Jose.
The latter move is puzzling, considering Ryan’s inability to reach the PWHL Final in Toronto, as well as whether dual roles should even be a thing. Finally. Rachel & Erica close the show with the biggest offseason questions, including who will the Seattle Torrent hire after parting ways with Steve O’Rourke.
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Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social
Rachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social
At Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/
Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia
#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel:youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia
▶︎ Exclusive Interviews:• Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
📖 READ
• More Black women in sports news:
💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbV9SNW1fT0dQVU1lMWJ5ano4NGpadDJ2aWotd3xBQ3Jtc0tsbVg1SHhYTkptbVB5ZEFWUlZNMXl2dUJMcDlEcE9Pa2RiREsxak1IZ210bXZDOVNJSzFJS1ZIeWg4Y3FRRjk3ZHNreDYyNUtPLWtJbnZHVFJKNUFQU0xsZG45NXUtRXJPd0pEZk9oQXFaNFp1QzFFYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fbetting%2F&v=eeLldlFyMBU
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:
ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
-
46 min
PWHL Final: Charge SURVIVE! Rebecca Leslie goal FORCES Game 4 Tonight!
Episode 20
Show notes
The Ottawa Charge stay alive with a 2-1 Game 3 win over the Montreal Victoire.
Ottawa-native Rebecca Leslie netted the game-winning goal to force Game 4 in Ottawa Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm ET.
At Even Strength hosts Rachel Donner & Erica L. Ayala discuss another PWHL Playoff thriller, plus the latest WHL Las Vegas hire and the official introduction of PWHL San Jose.
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Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.socialRachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.socialAt Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_podFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel: youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia▶︎ Exclusive Interviews: • Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
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• More Black women in sports news:
• More WNBA news:💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey. -
34 min
PWHL Final: A Heady Play by Abby Roque Give Montreal a 1-0 Lead
Episode 19
Show notes
Montreal strikes first, or last as it were, to take Game 1 of the 2026 Walter Cup Final. Nicole Gosling get an equalizer late in the third to force overtime and Laura Stacey, who returned from an injury scare, tips a puck netfront into Roque’s … well, into her face.
Rachel Donner and Erica L. Ayala recap Game 1 discuss the news that Manon Rhéaume will be the general manager of PWHL Detroit.
Dominique DiDia was named as PWHL Las Vegas’ first GM after we recorded.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.socialRachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.socialAt Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_podFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel: youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia▶︎ Exclusive Interviews: • Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
• Other Black Rosie Media podcasts: https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
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• Instagram:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRosieMedia📖 READ
• More PWHL news:
• More Black women in sports news:
• More WNBA news:💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey. -
49 min
PWHL Expansion Announcements in the middle of the POSTSEASON?!
Episode 18
Show notes
Montreal takes down the two-time champions Minnesota Frost to reach its first Walter Cup Final. Rachel Donner & Erica L. Ayala discuss the 2026 PWHL Championship Series ahead of Game 1.
BUT FIRST, is the PWHL overshadowing its own product with too many expansion announcements?!
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.socialRachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.socialAt Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_podFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel: youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia▶︎ Exclusive Interviews: • Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
• Other Black Rosie Media podcasts: https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackrosiemedia
• Instagram:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRosieMedia📖 READ
• More PWHL news:
• More Black women in sports news:
• More WNBA news:💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey. -
34 min
PWHL Playoffs: Minnesota FORCES Game 5, Ottawa takes Charge
Episode 17
Show notes
The Minnesota Frost defeated Montreal 3-1 Friday to force Game 5! Rachel Donner & Erica L. Ayala break down the series and what to expect in the winner-take-all event at Place Bell.
The Ottawa Charge takes a 2-1 series lead over the Boston Fleet off a heady play off the boards. Can Ottawa fans give their team an extra jolt on home ice?
We cover this and more on today’s episode of At Even Strength!
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.socialRachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.socialAt Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_podFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel: youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia▶︎ Exclusive Interviews: • Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
• Other Black Rosie Media podcasts: https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackrosiemedia
• Instagram:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRosieMedia📖 READ
• More PWHL news:
• More Black women in sports news:
• More WNBA news:💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey. -
54 min
PWHL Semifinals TIED! Plus, PWHL Detroit is OFFICIAL.
Episode 16
Show notes
The PWHL Playoffs are heating up!
Both Montreal and Ottawa bounced back to win Game 2 of their respective series. We’ve had FIVE overtimes between the Victoire and Frost, meanwhile Gwyneth Philips has posted TWO 30 or more save performances.
Rachel Donner and Erica L. Ayala discuss the playoffs ahead of the Game 3’s this week.
PLUS, PWHL Detroit is coming in the 2026-27 season! Our hosts break down what we know about the ninth PWHL team and do their best to makes sense of the expansion non-draft and free agency.
Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.socialRachel Donner
🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.socialAt Even Strength on TikTok
📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_podFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter!
🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia#pwhl #womenshockey #hockey
🎥 WATCH
• Subscribe to this channel: youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia▶︎ Exclusive Interviews: • Black Rosie Media I Interviews
🎧 LISTEN
• Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn
• Other Black Rosie Media podcasts: https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackrosiemedia
• Instagram:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRosieMedia📖 READ
• More PWHL news:
• More Black women in sports news:
• More WNBA news:💵Black Women in Sports
• Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports:
• Must-Watch documentaries:
• Must-read books & articles:ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
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