PWHL Las Vegas GM Fully Committed to Building the Team

The general manager of the PWHL’s Las Vegas expansion franchise, Dominique DiDia, said her vision for the new team includes competing for a Walter Cup from the start.

Hitting the ground running quickly is the other challenge. The PWHL’s six-step process to build new teams began Thursday with the current eight teams submitting a “Master Negotiation List.” They can name up to 10 players with contracts ending soon that they want to keep.

PWHL Plans

The league’s first negotiation period starts June 1. This is followed by the signing period on June 2. The PWHL Draft takes place on June 17, and free agency begins June 19.

Las Vegas is one of four expansion teams that will begin play next season, along with San Jose, Hamilton, and Detroit. However, Las Vegas is the only team without a coach so far. DiDia said she wants someone who will quickly make a difference. She also wants a coach who will help players improve at every level.

DiDia has a unique viewpoint on running a team. This is because she used to lead CAA Sports’ women’s hockey department and co-lead the division.

“It’s given me a great insight into the players’ perspective on being a player in this league,” DiDia said. “We started CAA women’s hockey three years ago and from the first draft until now, working with great players has given me the perspective to see that and see the things we need to do on our side to be a great franchise.”

DiDia is excited about how quickly sports have grown in Las Vegas. This growth started with the Vegas Golden Knights nine years ago.

She was at T-Mobile Arena, where the PWHL team will play next season, on Tuesday to watch the Knights beat the Colorado Avalanche in all their games and secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

A Los Angeles native, DiDia said the city has accepted its role as a sports city with the success of the Knights and the Las Vegas Aces, along with the Las Vegas Raiders now here and the Athletics coming soon.