Young women, among those in a record-breaking crowd, held up signs with messages for the Professional Women's Hockey League. “PWHL DETROIT NEEDS A TEAM,” was printed on one side of the signs. The six-team PWHL may expand next season — in its third year — and is touring cities potentially on the list to get in the game.

PWHL expansion was placed on the table last fall, with the league considering expanding by as many as two teams for next season.

The city of Detroit recaptured the U.S. attendance record for professional women's hockey as the PWHL celebrated one million fans.