PWHL owner Mark Walter has agreed to sell the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a reported $12.5 billion, ending his ownership less than a year after he bought the NBA franchise.
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger Finalize Lakers Sale
The Lakers sale ranks as the largest transaction in sports history and hands Walter a roughly $2.5 billion paper profit. But the timing is what stands out.
Federal authorities are probing Walter's business empire, and the fallout carries fresh implications for the PWHL, which he founded and continues to bankroll.
That probe has widened to include federal prosecutors, the SEC and the FBI. Reports say the investigation centers on roughly $16 billion in related-party transactions. Those deals moved money between Walter-controlled insurance companies and other Walter-affiliated ventures.
So far, neither Walter nor the PWHL has commented publicly. The Lakers sale still needs NBA Board of Governors approval, which is expected to come in September.
Mark Walter Investigation, Lakers Sale Implicate PWHL Future
Whatever happens with the Lakers, Walter's hockey imprint is only expanding. His investment group launched the PWHL in 2023 with six teams. By 2025, the league had grown to eight. Then it expanded again to 12 teams in 2026.
Walter is not selling his hockey stake in this deal at this point, but players and fans are watching closely as the league's chief backer faces federal scrutiny.
Emily Clark and Jaime Bourbonnais are engaged. The Team Canada teammates announced the news this week, with Clark calling Bourbonnais "the joy of my life."
The pair's relationship grew during years spent together in Canada's national team program. The two started dating while living in Montreal during the pandemic. They've since shared the ice at multiple IIHF World Championships, collecting several medals along the way.
Emily Clark Signs Two-Year Contract with PWHL Hamilton
The engagement caps a busy offseason in Emily Clark PWHL journey.
The 30-year-old spent three seasons as an alternate captain in Ottawa. She appeared in all 100 games the Charge played and lead the team in scoring during the 2025 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs.
In June, she signed a two-year contract with the newly-formed PWHL Hamilton. She now joins one of the league's most exciting expansion rosters. Bourbonnais, an alternate captain herself, remains on the New York Sirens blue line. She's heading into her fourth season after signing a contract extension with the team last year.
More PWHL Team Players Celebrate Engagement
However, the pair isn't the only couple celebrating across PWHL teams this summer. Toronto Sceptres defenders Kali Flanagan and Allie Munroe announced their own engagement earlier this month.
The Ottawa Charge kept its championship dreams alive on Monday night, defeating Montréal Victoire 2-1 in Game 3 of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals.
Facing elimination, Ottawa rallied with two late third-period goals to stave off a sweep in the best-of-five championship series. Although Montréal still holds a 2-1 series lead, Ottawa’s dramatic comeback now forces a pivotal Game 4.
A playoff-record crowd of 16,894 fans watched the battle unfold. Both teams played scoreless hockey through the first two periods, as goaltenders Gwyneth Philips and Ann-Renée Desbiens protected their nets.
Montréal broke the ice nearly halfway through the third period as Hayley Scamurra capitalized on a rebound off the back boards to give the Victoire a 1-0 lead. That goal put Montréal just minutes away from capturing the 2026 Walter Cup trophy.
But Ottawa refused to fold under pressure.
Late Goals Save Ottawa Charge in 2026 Walter Cup Finals Win
With five and a half minutes remaining in regulation, Charge rookie Peyton Hemp scooped up a loose puck. She subsequently slipped it past a sprawling Desbiens to tie the game with her first-ever playoff goal.
That momentum shift spurred Ottawa native Rebecca Leslie to fire a shot through heavy traffic — with just 56 seconds left on the clock.
The puck found the back of the net, triggering chaos in the arena. Officials reviewed the play for a potential hand pass, but the goal stood.
"We're not done yet," Leslie told press. "We've just had a no quit attitude all year, and this group is really special. I'm speechless. It's just such an honor to play for this city. We have the best fans in the league."
Where to Watch Montréal vs Ottawa in PWHL Finals Game 4
The Victoire still lead the PWHL finals series 2-1, meaning the Charge needs another win to keep its quest for the 2026 Walter Cup on track.
Game 4 kicks off on Wednesday at 7 PM ET, live on ION.
The Montreal Victoire pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the Ottawa Charge in Game 1 of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals on Thursday night.
In a game that seemed destined for an Ottawa victory, Montreal erased a late deficit to silence the crowd of rowdy Charge fans at TD Place. With their thrilling overtime win, the Victoire now hold a 1-0 series lead in their quest for the PWHL championship.
Abby Roque Nets 'Miracle' Overtime Goal
The game reached a fever pitch in the final few seconds of regulation. Trailing by one, Montreal pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker. The gamble ultimately paid off when the Victoire found the back of the net with just 2.1 seconds remaining on the clock.
That down-to-the-wire surge sent the match into a sudden-death overtime period where star forward Abby Roque got a lucky break. As she weaved through the Ottawa defense, an errant pass ricocheted off her helmet and into the back of the net.
"I just saw the puck go right between my eyes and… then it somehow went in," she said after the game. "I was just hoping that's a goal."
Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie summed up the wild on-ice twist by dubbing it " a miracle in Laval."
Laura Stacey Injury Update
The biggest question for Montreal Victoire fans heading into Saturday is the status of alternate captain Laura Stacey. During the final minute of regulation in Game 1, Stacey took a heavy hit into the boards from Ottawa's Gabbie Hughes.
The star winger appeared to be in extreme pain and had to be helped off the ice by Marie-Philip Poulin, sparking immediate fears of a season-ending leg injury. But Stacey provided a massive emotional lift by returning for the start of overtime.
Not only did she play through the discomfort, but she also recorded the primary assist on Roque’s game-winning goal. Stacey finished the night with 21:54 of ice time, proving her essential role in the Victoire lineup. While there is no official word yet on her status, Stacey's ability to finish Game 1 is a positive sign for her availability during the tournament.
PWHL Walter Cup Finals: What’s Next for Montreal vs. Ottawa
The heartbreaking Game 1 loss is a tough pill to swallow for the Ottawa Charge, who controlled the pace for the first two periods at Place Bell. Still, the best-of-five series format gives them a quick chance to rebound.
The quest for the PWHL 2026 championship continues with a high-stakes schedule:
- Game 2: Saturday, May 16th at 2 PM ET
- Game 3: Monday, May 18th at 6 PM ET
- Game 4 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 20th at 7 PM ET
- Game 5 (if necessary): TBD
Fans can stream the tournament on the PWHL YouTube channel.
The road to the Walter Cup Finals hit a sudden detour on Monday night. The PWHL postponed the winner-take-all Game 5 between the Montreal Victoire and the Minnesota Frost due to "player safety concerns related to illness." Originally, the league slated the high-stakes matchup for Monday evening but has now rescheduled the game for Tuesday night.
The decision to pause the Walter Cup playoffs came less than three hours before puck drop. Women's hockey league officials confirmed the move followed consultation with medical staff to prioritize the health of players and fans.
Notably, while the PWHL didn't disclose the nature of the illness, they did clarify that symptoms aren't consistent with hantavirus. That mention likely stems from heightened public interest following a rare cruise-ship outbreak of the respiratory disease.
Montreal Victoire Illness Update: Minnesota Frost Roster Cleared for Game 5
Inside sources confirm that the outbreak remains contained within the Montreal Victoire locker room. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Frost reported no illnesses among their roster as of Monday. After monitoring the situation throughout the day, the league opted for a delay as the number of symptomatic players in Montreal increased.
This move marks a rare instance of a postseason game shifting for health reasons outside of the pandemic era. The league confirmed that a Tuesday match-up would ensure both teams can compete closer to full strength.
Montreal Victoire vs. Minnesota Frost: Winner Advances to Walter Cup Finals
Tonight’s winner at Place Bell advances to the Walter Cup Finals to face the Ottawa Charge. Ottawa secured their spot after sweeping the Boston Fleet on Sunday. The league will honor all tickets from the original Monday date.
The rescheduled puck drop takes place Tuesday, May 12, at 7 PM ET. US fans can watch the match on Scripps Sports.
The 2026 PWHL playoffs are almost here, as the pro women's hockey league adds a unique twist to this year's Walter Cup race.
As the regular season wraps up this week, teams are battling for seeding. But unlike traditional pro hockey playoffs, the PWHL introduces a strategic wrinkle that adds another layer of drama.
How the PWHL Hockey Playoffs Work
The PWHL playoffs feature a streamlined, two-round format: a set of semifinals followed by the Walter Cup finals.
Four teams qualify for the postseason, with seeding determined by the final regular-season standings. But the biggest difference comes at the postseason's start.
In the PWHL, the No. 1 seed gets to choose its semifinal opponent between the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds — a rule unique to the league.
The format utilizes strategy, foments rivalries, and adds pressure before a single playoff game hits the ice, as teams weigh matchups instead of simply following a bracket.
Race to the 2026 Walter Cup Finals Intensifies
The push for the final playoff spots has remained tight late in the season, with multiple teams still in contention entering this week's final stretch.
That competitive balance reflects the league's growth. The PWHL continues to expand both its reach and visibility, with booming attendance following Team USA's gold medal-winning 2026 Winter Olympics campaign.
Now, that momentum carries into the postseason.
What to Expect in the PWHL Playoffs
With just two rounds, every postseason game matters.
The PWHL playoffs format rewards regular-season success. Finishing first not only secures the top seed, but also provides control over a team's path — a rare advantage in professional sports.
Once a champion is crowned, its name is engraved on the Walter Cup, with players and staff receiving championship rings to mark the achievement.
Recent history subsequently shows how unpredictable the postseason can be. Minnesota has won back-to-back titles in the league's first two seasons — yet each time the Frost entered as the No. 4 seed.
Laila Edwards is preparing for the next step in her women’s ice hockey career, confirming that she’ll enter the PWHL draft after graduating from Wisconsin this year.
Edwards, a three-time NCAA champion with the Badgers, will graduate on May 9th with a 4.0 GPA and a degree in social welfare. As she recently told Good Morning America, going pro is now the plan, with the PWHL draft set for late June.
“Pro? That’s the plan,” Edwards said. “Entering the draft at the end of June.”
The forward has played a key role in the Badgers’ recent success, while also helping Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 22-year-old made history in Milan, when she became Team USA’s first Black woman goal-scorer in February’s 5-0 group-stage win over Canada. Opening up about her experience, Edwards pointed to the impact she hopes to have — both on and off the ice.
“I think representation matters, so to be that representation means the world,” she said. “That is the greatest reward, by far… the inspiration. It’s everything.”
Edwards also emphasized how she wants to be remembered as her career continues to develop.
“I’m super competitive. I love winning,” she said. “But I want to leave a legacy about who I was as a role model, a leader, and a person.”
Edwards is expected to be one of the top players to watch in the 2026 PWHL Draft — alongside fellow USA Hockey and Wisconsin teammate Caroline Harvey.
She also added that her long-term plans extend beyond hockey, pointing to a future focused on helping others.
“Whatever I’m going to do with that, I don’t know yet,” Edwards said of her Bachelor’s degree. “Just the idea of helping people who need help.”
Team USA hero Hilary Knight is back on the ice, returning to the PWHL for the first time since January after the Seattle Torrent removed the Olympic gold medalist from the team's long-term injured reserve list on Sunday.
Along with her second career gold and fifth overall Olympic medal, Knight also picked up a torn MCL in Milan last month, powering through the tournament before returning Stateside to rehab her knee.
The 36-year-old team captain returned to Seattle's top line in the Torrent's 2-0 Sunday loss to the Ottawa Charge, registering four shots on goal in just under 22 minutes of play.
Knight, who became Team USA's all-time Olympic goals and points leader in Milan, enters the final stretch of the 2025/26 PWHL season with three goals and seven assists on the Torrent's stat sheet.
While Seattle will be happy to have its captain back, the last-place PWHL expansion team is likely more focused on the draft than the playoffs, with the Torrent a full 11 points below the postseason line after racking up just 22 points through 23 games played.
How to watch Hilary Knight and the Seattle Torrent in PWHL action
Seattle's debut season has already made history, and Knight and her Torrent will make even more this weekend when they face off against the New York Sirens in the PWHL's first-ever game in Manhattan's legendary Madison Square Garden (MSG).
With Seattle holding a 2-1 record against New York, the MSG crowd will look to lift the Sirens to a win to even the series.
The Torrent will take on the Sirens in the iconic arena's first-ever ticketed pro women's hockey event at 8 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage streaming on YouTube.
The Badgers are Division I women's hockey champions once again, as No. 2-seed Wisconsin took down their top-seeded rival Ohio State 3-2 in Sunday's 2026 Frozen Four finale to claim a second straight NCAA title.
The win marks Wisconsin's fifth championship in the last seven seasons and extends their title lead to nine total championships — three more than second-place powerhouse Minnesota.
Winger Kelly Gorbatenko opened scoring for the Badgers just 78 seconds into the game, before fellow junior Laney Potter doubled the lead just six minutes later.
Following a scoreless second period, Ohio State battled back, as freshman Kassidy Carmichael and junior Jocelyn Amos drew the Buckeyes even with two goals in the first five minutes of the third period.
With just over six minutes left, forward Claire Enright played hero, with the Wisconsin third-liner slotting home a stunner of a goal to secure the trophy in her senior season.
In the other net, Badger goaltender Ava McNaughton posted 34 saves against a prolific Ohio State offense, earning the junior this year's Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player honor to go along with her 2026 Olympic gold medal.
With three NCAA hockey titles in tow, Wisconsin is sending its senior class — including fellow Olympic champions Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Kirsten Simms — to the PWHL in style.
"We did enough to get to the finish line," said Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson. "We're excited to bring the trophy back to Madison."
The PWHL is going national, with the third-year league announcing Thursday that it will air its first-ever nationally broadcast game on US linear television later this month.
The New York Sirens and Montréal Victoire's upcoming Takeover Tour matchup at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit will air live on ION on Saturday, March 28th, reaching more than 126 million households in an effort to expand "the visibility and viability of women's sports across the country."
While PWHL games air live across Canada on TSN, the league has yet to secure a full-time broadcast partner in the US, relying instead on local media deals and YouTube streaming.
Game sponsor Ally — a longtime investor in women's sports — will pull double-duty as the presenting sponsor of the historic broadcast as well, with the Detroit-based financial services company partnering with ION parent company Scripps Sports to give the Tour stop a national platform.
The PWHL is looking to build on Team USA's Olympic momentum after February's gold medal win over Canada averaged a record 5.3 million viewers — marking a watershed moment for women's hockey in North America.
"Fan interest in women's hockey is at an all-time high," said Scripps Sports president Brian Lawlor in a statement, calling the company "thrilled...to bring the excitement of this league to a national audience for the first time."
How to watch the 1st-ever nationally televised PWHL game
The New York Sirens will take on the Montréal Victoire in Detroit at 1 PM ET on Saturday, March 28th, airing live on ION.