LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Professional women’s hockey is officially coming to the Las Vegas Strip, and team leaders say they plan to build both a contender and a community fixture from the start.
Inside T-Mobile Arena, PWHL Las Vegas introduced head coach Kim Weiss, defender Erin Ambrose and general manager Dominique DiDia. Weiss and DiDia are former college teammates now leading an expansion franchise in a city with multiple recent championships.
MORE ON FOX5: Professional Women’s Hockey League announces Las Vegas expansion team
Team identity and style of play
Weiss, who previously coached in the men’s American Hockey League, said she wants the on-ice product to match the Las Vegas market.
“We’re in Vegas, right? So we have to be exciting… we’re going to be fast, we’re going to be physical… a fast, exciting product that hopefully scores a lot of goals,” Weiss said.
DiDia said the city’s track record with the Golden Knights and Aces has shaped how she and Weiss are building the roster and organization.
“This is a city where teams win. They win fast… we want to win, we want to pursue a Walter Cup… every decision we make is based on that pursuit of excellence,” DiDia said.
DiDia said the front office moved from her hiring to the expansion draft in about 10 days and has focused on players with championship experience, including Walter Cup winners, standout NCAA players and national team regulars such as goaltender Nicole Hensley and forward Hayley Scamurra.
Building a roster and culture
Ambrose, who won the Walter Cup last season, recently drove 39 hours from Ontario to Nevada to join the new team. She said giving local girls a professional hockey team to follow is a key part of the mission.
“This game has skyrocketed for female athletes… now that we’re here, we have to make our presence known — not just on the ice, but in the community… the people in that dressing room are going to make a huge impact on this community,” Ambrose said.
Players have already started building chemistry through group chats and plans to visit Las Vegas before training camp. Ambrose said she is looking forward to playing with physical forwards such as Katie Knoll and Natalie Snodgrass instead of facing them as opponents.
Community focus and next steps
Off the ice, DiDia said the next few months will focus on completing the staff, coordinating with both T-Mobile Arena and the practice facility in Henderson, and stepping into community events. Planned efforts include a “Skate to Eliminate Cancer” event on Oct. 10 and local girls’ hockey clinics.
The team is still waiting on its official name and logo from the league. DiDia said she likes the team’s green color scheme and how it fits with the existing sports identity in Las Vegas.
Team leaders said they want T-Mobile Arena to be as loud for women’s hockey as it is for Golden Knights games and to compete for a Walter Cup as quickly as possible.
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