The formation of the NWHL was announced in March 2015. The league holds the distinction of being the first ever women's professional hockey league to pay its players. Prior to the League's formation the only choice for top level professional women's hockey in North America was the Canadian Women's Hockey League which is unpaid. The league runs on a salary cap of US $270,000 maximum per team and of $10,000 minimum per player.[4] The players can also make additional revenue by way of a right to 15% of profits off any NWHL jersey sold with their name on it. Equipment is also provided to the players by the league. The league placed its four original teams in what it considered to be strong traditional hockey markets where support would be strongest: in the New York City area, Buffalo and New England.
The inaugural NWHL Entry Draft took place in Boston on June 20. The league held tryout camps in various locales in Canada along with an international player camp in Boston.[5] In addition, due to the paid nature of the league and its placement in the Northeastern United States, the league attracted many top level United States women's national ice hockey team stars from the CWHL such as Hilary Knight, former Team USA captain Meghan Duggan and others, as well as top graduating players from the NCAA and international players. The league is recognized by USA Hockey as the top women's professional league.[6]
The first game in league history, between the New York Riveters and Connecticut Whale on October 11, 2015, sold out.[8]Manon Rheaume dropped the puck in the ceremonial opening faceoff before that game.[9] The first goal in league history, in a 4-1 win by the host Whale, was scored by Jessica Koizumi of Connecticut.[10]