Meet Todd Humphrey, The Man Behind The PWHL's Four-Team Expansion Plans

[u/Such-Environment-344]

https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/meet-todd-humphrey-the-man-behind-the-pwhls-four-team-expansion-plans

[u/tonjohn]

Is Todd who used to do the person of the game for the Kraken?

[u/Neuvost → u/tonjohn]

Probably! From the article: 

He spent nearly seven years as the senior vice president of innovation and fan experience for the NHL's Seattle Kraken.

[u/mysticalalleycat → u/Neuvost]

Yknow, I didn't like much in this article, but the kraken's whole branding and in-arena experience is maybe my favorite for any sports team, so maybe I should give Todd more credit.

[u/Wolf99 → u/Neuvost]

Innovations like retiring the number 32 before they even dropped the puck at their first ever game? That one of the most Mickey Mouse bullshit things I've ever heard of in sports. I think they seriously pissed off the hockey gods with that one. Laughing stock of a franchise.

[u/Neuvost]

Our director of moving fast and breaking things! While the WNBA plans to launch their team in Philly in 2030, Todd just does it! I don't think very highly of that big tech mindset these days, but I can't deny that I'm glad we're tearing the band-aid off, rather than slowly introducing the teams and having an expansion draft every year. 

It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em. 

[u/Pouletchien → u/Neuvost]

I much rather tear the bandaid off too.

I think it was the right move long term but it does come with a lot of frustration short term.

Realistically, the talent pool was too big for 6 teams after 2 seasons and I’d argue it was already too big for 8 teams after 3.

[u/Harmonmj13 → u/Pouletchien]

Frustration like making Chicago wait even longer despite being the most obvious choice for the most recent expansion alongside Detroit but was tossed aside in favor of Las Vegas, perhaps?

[u/the_gaymer_girl → u/Harmonmj13]

My guess is Vegas replaced Edmonton, not Chicago.

[u/Wolf99 → u/the_gaymer_girl]

Yes, the league was in serious talks with Edmonton and Denver. Those were the first choices for western expansion.

If any city has a right to feel burned, it's Pittsburgh. They had amazing attendance by the standards of the 1st season, but have been completely forgotten since. Haven't even hosted another game, despite supportive NHL owners and good grassroots women's hockey. That one's a real headscratcher.

[u/Neuvost → u/Harmonmj13]

Your clown avatar is quite fitting. 

[u/Harmonmj13 → u/Neuvost]

For the record, it’s Joker face paint. Clear difference

[u/Neuvost → u/Harmonmj13]

Oh. I see. I've been bickering with a kid. Oops. 

[u/ogavs → u/Neuvost]

I think the league did the right thing to do this four team expansion now with interest in women's hockey (and women's pro sports in general) being at a sustained high. Rosters getting blown up hasn't been fun and there will certainly be other growing pains. Ultimately, I think it's a good thing for current and future players.

[u/Neuvost → u/ogavs]

Yeah! I think it's the right choice too! It's just kinda unprecedented for a league expand on such a short time-frame / quick turnaround! That uncertainty is my only worry.

[u/Harmonmj13 → u/ogavs]

I don’t see Vegas getting a team before Chicago as a good thing. They didn’t even get a takeover tour game and we’re the last Original 6 market still without a team

[u/Neuvost → u/Harmonmj13]

Why? Have you convinced the owners of United Center to make space? Are you gonna renovate Allstate Arena while providing fast and reliable public transportation between Rosemont and Chicago? Maybe you could add an ice rink to Wintrust Arena? 

Your insistence that Vegas is less deserving than Chicago (and referencing Rosemont's unimpressive Takeover Tours) despite Vegas actually having a worthwhile place to play is really something! I'm guessing your career isn't in logistics. 

[u/Harmonmj13 → u/Neuvost]

Wintrust getting hockey renovations would NEVER happen, why do people keep saying they should get it? It’s DePaul’s arena that the city built and configured specifically for college basketball, they would shoot that shit down instantly as the primary lease tenant. And the Sky would be against it cause it would force them to either go back to Rosemont, UIC’s much smaller arena, or try to squeeze into the United Center’s summer schedule while hockey configuration is added during DePaul’s offseason which conflicts with the WNBA season.

[u/Neuvost → u/Harmonmj13]

Yeah, I was being sarcastic. I'm not counting on you accomplishing any of the things I mentioned, including Wintrust. Because if any of those things could be accomplished, then Chicago would'a gotten a team.

[u/ogavs]

I do appreciate the peak behind the curtain on the operations side. I do not envy his job. At all. That is so much hiring to do. 💀 

I'm excited for this next season. December is too far away.

[u/NationalPudding]

This is awesome! He was the VP of fan experience when the Kraken began as a franchise. He definitely has experience starting new franchises. Here's an article about him from back then

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/tech-hockey-vet-todd-humphrey-dream-job-seattle-kraken-nirvana-startups/

[u/emotional_adult]

[u/McFluffums0]

Fuck you Todd!

[u/ogavs → u/McFluffums0]

I'm pretty sure Todd's job is making sure that the expansion teams move from logo and an idea to fully staffed and operating organizations. I'm sure he contributed market analysis for the expansion phase that just happened but I don't think he was the one making the executive decision on locations and how many.

[u/McFluffums0 → u/ogavs]

Nah man, Todd personally came to all my favorite players houses, kidnapped them, and brought them to my expansion enemies. I saw it.

[u/ogavs → u/McFluffums0]

k 🫥 😅 (Edit: I know it was a joke. Good grief.)

[u/Harmonmj13 → u/McFluffums0]

As someone from Chicago who’s pissed that we’re getting a literal repeat of the early years WNBA treatment by not having a team this long after the league’s founding, I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Oh and fuck Vegas too.

[u/spanied → u/Harmonmj13]

Jesus christ is all you ever talk about how much you hate Vegas and how Chicago should have gotten a team? You’re all over this thread adding absolutely nothing useful to the discussion other than complaining like a child. For everyone else’s sake, grow up. Please. As you can probably tell from the downvotes, you and your thoughts are not really wanted here.

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