Premier Hockey Federation

Premier Hockey Federation
Most recent season or competition:
2022–23 PHF season
FormerlyNational Women's Hockey League (2015–2021)
SportIce hockey
FoundedMarch 2015 (2015-03)
CeasedJune 2023 (2023-06)
Replaced byProfessional Women's Hockey League
CommissionerReagan Carey
No. of teams7
CountriesCanada (2 teams)
United States (5 teams)
HeadquartersNew York City, United States
Last
champion(s)
Toronto Six
Most titlesBoston Pride (3 titles)
TV partner(s)ESPN+
TSN[1]
Official websitepremierhockeyfederation.com

The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) was a women's professional ice hockey league in the United States and Canada that operated from March 2015 until June 2023. The league was established in 2015 as the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), comprising four league-owned teams. Over time, some teams gained independent ownership and the number of teams grew to seven; teams during the league's final season in 2022–23 included the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force, and Toronto Six. The Isobel Cup was awarded annually to the league playoff champion.

The PHF ceased operations on 29 June 2023, after the league and its intellectual properties were purchased by Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises, led by Mark Walter and Billie Jean King, respectively. Both businesses had entered a partnership with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) in May 2022, with the intent to create a new, unified professional women's ice hockey league in North America. On 29 August 2023, the partners announced the formation of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), which began play in January 2024.

History

[edit]

Foundation and inaugural season (2015–16)

[edit]

The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) was formed by Dani Rylan in March 2015 with an estimated $2.5 million operating budget.[2][3] It was the first professional women's hockey league to pay its players salaries.[4] Prior to the league's formation, the top level of women's hockey in North America was the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL), a non-profit league that covered team costs and offered bonuses and incentives but not salaries.[5] Rylan had been in discussions with the CWHL about founding a New York-based expansion franchise before opting to build a new league in the United States instead.[6] The league's inaugural season in 2015–16 ran on a salary cap of US$270,000, with a $10,000 minimum per player.[7] Players also earned 15% of profits from NWHL jerseys sold with their name on them.[8] The league placed its four original teams in markets with high levels of female youth participation in ice hockey: the New York City area, Buffalo, and New England.[4] Rylan did not disclosed the league's initial investors or how much had been invested.[9] Canadian Joel Leonoff, CEO of Paysafe Group and father of Connecticut Whale goaltender Jaimie Leonoff, later spoke about his investment in the league but declined to reveal the size of his investment.[10]

The inaugural NWHL Draft took place in Boston in June 2015 with each team selecting five collegiate athletes.[11][12] The league held tryout camps in various locales in Canada, along with an international player camp in Boston.[13] The league attracted many top level United States national team stars from the CWHL, such as Hilary Knight and former Team USA captain Meghan Duggan,[14] top graduating players from the NCAA,[15] and international players.[16]

In December 2015, the league signed its first league-wide sponsorship deal, a multi-year deal with Dunkin' Donuts.[17] On 31 December 2015, the Boston Pride played the CWHL's Les Canadiennes de Montréal to a 1–1 tie in the first Women's Winter Classic, one day before the 2016 NHL Winter Classic and at the same site, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It was the first outdoor professional women's hockey game and the first game between the NWHL and the CWHL.[18] The 1st NWHL All-Star Game took place on 24 January 2016, in Buffalo. The game featured a 4-on-4 format with Hilary Knight of the Boston Pride and Emily Pfalzer of the Buffalo Beauts serving as team captains.

On 12 March 2016, the Boston Pride became the first Isobel Cup champions with a 3–1 win over the Buffalo Beauts to secure a 2–0 series win.[19]

NWHL action between the Whale and Riveters during the inaugural season.

Structural changes and NHL partnerships (2016–2019)

[edit]

On 4 August 2016, the league announced that each team would introduce new uniform designs voted upon by fans.[20] Two days prior to this announcement, the league announced a partnership with You Can Play, an organization dedicated to eradicating homophobia in sport.[21] Each team in the league hosted a You Can Play athlete-ambassador, and would begin to develop a policy with regards to transgender players. This initiative took place in response to the October 2016, announcement that Buffalo Beauts player Harrison Browne was transgender—the first openly transgender athlete in professional American team sports.[22]

On 17 November 2016, part way into the league's second season, the NWHL informed its players that they would receive up to a 50% pay cut.[23] This decreased the league minimum salary to $5,000.[24] Five weeks later, in an attempt to partially compensate for the salary rollback, the league introduced an incentive program where players split revenue generated by tickets sold in excess of 500 after each game.[25]

In September 2017, the league joined with 16 other international hockey organizations in formally adopting the NHL's Declaration of Principles, with the goal of advancing teaching, policies, and programs to strengthen hockey communities around the world.[26]

In October 2017, the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) partnered with the Riveters, becoming the first NHL team to partner with an NWHL team.[27][28] The three-year partnership provided facilities for Riveters games and practices, and assisted with sponsorships, marketing, and tickets; some Riveters games were broadcast on The One Jersey Network, the Devils' digital radio station as well.[29][30] The Riveters changed their name from the New York to the Metropolitan Riveters and adopted the Devils' colors.[30] As part of the new affiliation, the Riveters and Devils held a doubleheader at the Prudential Center for the Riveters' 2017–18 season opener against the Boston Pride, followed by the Devils' game against the Arizona Coyotes.[31]

On 21 December 2017, the Buffalo Beauts were acquired by Pegula Sports and Entertainment, owners of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, the Rochester Americans, and the Beauts' arena, the HarborCenter.[32] The Beauts thus became the second NWHL team to become affiliated with an NHL franchise—and the first professional women's team to be owned by an NHL team owner—as well as the first NWHL franchise outside league ownership.[33]

On 15 May 2018, the league announced that its first expansion franchise, the Minnesota Whitecaps, would join the league for the 2018–19 season.[34][35] The Whitecaps had played in the Western Women's Hockey League (WWHL) from 2004 to 2011.[36] Following the WWHL's closure, the team played independently, including exhibition games against NWHL teams during the inaugural 2015–16 season.[37] The Whitecaps signed a partnership agreement with the NHL's Minnesota Wild, with whom the Whitecaps had already cooperated as an independent, in the 2018 off-season.[38] The Whitecaps were the second privately-operated franchise in the NWHL.[39]

In August 2018, the NWHL also began an affiliation program with youth hockey organizations, called the Jr. NWHL, to promote growth in girl's and women's hockey.[40][41]

After a call for more transparency, the league announced they would reveal some of the league investors and their stories over the 2018–19 season. The first league investor to be revealed was Neil Leibman, co-owner of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball.[42] The second was announced as Lee Heffernan, a marketing executive.[43]

In January 2019, the Boston Pride and the NHL's Boston Bruins officially became promotional partners, making the Pride the fourth NWHL team associated with an NHL team.[44] During the 2018–19 season, commissioner Rylan stated that the Minnesota Whitecaps were the first NWHL team to turn a profit.[45]

CWHL dissolution and aftermath (2019–2021)

[edit]

On 31 March 2019, it was announced that the Canadian Women's Hockey League board of directors had decided to discontinue operations effective 1 May 2019. Early in 2019, NWHL commissioner Rylan had been in talks with the CWHL about the possibility of merging.[46] In response to the abrupt folding of the CWHL, The Athletic reported that the NWHL was exploring Canadian expansion to fill the markets left by the CWHL, targeting Toronto, Montreal, and potentially Calgary.[47] On 2 April 2019, the NWHL announced plans for two expansion franchises in Montreal and Toronto and increased support from the NHL, making it one of the NWHL's biggest financial sponsors.[48][49] However, in the wake of the collapse of the CWHL, it became clear that players from both leagues were dissatisfied in the operation of both leagues and a lack of livable salaries, health insurance, and other benefits. On 2 May, over 200 players released a joint statement announcing their intent to boycott all North American professional hockey for the 2019–20 season.[50][51]

The NWHL responded that it was pursuing more sponsors than in previous years and hoped to increase player salaries, and agreed to give players a 50 percent split of revenue on league sponsorship and media deals.[52] On 20 May 2019, the boycotting players formed the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) to organize towards a unified league providing financial and infrastructure resources to players, health insurance, and support to training programs for young female players.[53]

On 8 May 2019, Pegula Sports and Entertainment relinquished ownership and operations of the Beauts back to the NWHL.[54][55] On 17 May, it was reported that the New Jersey Devils were ending their partnership with the Riveters.[56][57] With the partnerships dissolved, both teams changed their home venues.[58]

In a league update on 30 May 2019, the NWHL announced that due to no additional investment, the league would not be able to increase to full-time salaries or provide players with health insurance outside of the typical worker's compensation for injuries, but had come to an agreement to a 50 percent revenue split on all league-wide sponsorship and media deals. In addition, the league stated it would not add teams in Montreal and Toronto for the 2019–20 season.[59] The league announced a longer 2019–20 season, increasing from 16 to 24 games.[58] The NWHL Players Association called the negotiated agreement a "breakthrough" that represented the first "substantial gains" players had made since the formation of the league.[60]

In September 2019, the Boston Pride were purchased by a group of investors led by Miles Arnone.[61] On 22 April 2020, the NWHL announced the awaited expansion team for Toronto, bringing the league to Canada for the first time. The Toronto Six began play in the 2020–21 season. Johanna Neilson Boynton was announced as the owner of the team, Tyler Tumminia as the team chairman, and Digit Murphy as team president.[62]

On 12 October 2020, Rylan stepped down as commissioner and was replaced by Tyler Tumminia as interim commissioner. In addition, the league changed its governing model to an incorporated association overseen by a board of governors with one representative from each team. Rylan remained with the league to oversee the Beauts, Whale, Riveters, and Whitecaps, while searching for independent ownership of the league operated teams.[63] Rylan left that role in March 2021.[64]

Premier Hockey Federation (2021–2023)

[edit]
Jonna Albers of the Whitecaps on a breakaway against Corinne Schroeder of the Pride.

Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Tumminia announced that the salary cap would be doubled to $300,000.[65][66] On 10 May 2021, the league announced it had sold the Connecticut Whale to a new independent ownership group called Shared Hockey Enterprises (SHE), LLC, led by Tobin Kelly, reducing the number of league-operated teams to three.[67][68] On 26 May, the league announced that the Riveters had been sold to BTM Partners, owners of the Boston Pride and Toronto Six, with John Boynton named the team's chairman.[69] The NWHL finished selling its league-operated teams to independent ownership with the sale of the Buffalo Beauts and Minnesota Whitecaps to a joint partnership of NLTT Ventures, LLC, and Top Tier Sports on 28 June.[70]

In September 2021, the league officially rebranded as the Premier Hockey Federation, reflecting its many recent structural changes and deliberately adopting a gender-neutral name.[71][72] The 2021–22 season, the league's first season under the PHF title, began in November 2021.[73][74] PHF players were required to follow testing and quarantine protocols due the outbreak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.[75]

On January 18, 2022, the league announced that 2022–23 salary cap would increase to $750,000, and that players would receive full healthcare benefits and an equity stake in its teams.[76][77] Additionally, the league announced an expansion team for Montreal, and opened the possibility of additional expansion in the United States.[76][77] On 12 July, the league officially introduced the Montreal team, the Force, owned by BTM Partners, and Kevin Raphael would serve as the team's president.[78]

In February 2022, the league announced that Tumminia would step down as commissioner at the end of the 2021–22 season.[79][80] In April, Tumminia was succeeded by Reagan Carey, the former director of USA Hockey's women's program.[81]

In December 2022, the salary cap for the 2023–24 PHF season was set at $1.5 million.[82][83] The increase aligned with the Board of Governors' pledge, made in 2021, to invest $25 million directly in pay and benefits to PHF players over the ensuing three seasons. The announced cap signified a 900 percent growth over the 2021 salary cap.[84][85]

Buyout and launch of PWHL (2023)

[edit]

On 29 June 2023, the Premier Hockey Federation announced that the league had been sold to Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises, respectively led by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and American tennis legend Billie Jean King, who had since 2022 been working with the PWHPA with the intention of launching a new, unified women's professional league.[86][87] The buyout voided all PHF player contracts, with PHF players receiving severance payments; PHF players would be required to renegotiate their contracts with the new league. PHF players would also not be parties to negotiations toward a collective bargaining agreement between the PWHPA's new labour union, the PWHL Players Association, and the new league before its ratification.[88] Players who reviewed the new CBA reported that it included minimum salaries of $35,000, medical benefits, compensation for housing and relocation, retirement benefits, parental and maternity leave, and other incentives.[89]

The new league was expected to have six 23-player teams, one fewer than the PHF and five fewer than the PHF and PWHPA combined, meaning that many players from both organizations would not be drafted or signed during the new league's free-agency period. Players not playing in a professional league for the 2023–24 season would be eligible for an additional compensatory payment of at least $10,000.[89]

On 29 August 2023, the new league was announced as the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) with six teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, and Toronto.[90][91] The new league began play in January 2024.[92]

Teams

[edit]
Team City Primary arena Head coach Cups Joined Partner teams
Boston Pride Boston, Massachusetts Warrior Ice Arena Paul Mara 3 2015 Boston Bruins (NHL)
Buffalo Beauts Amherst, New York Northtown Center vacant[93] 1 2015 Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Connecticut Whale Simsbury, Connecticut International Skating Center of Connecticut[94] Colton Orr 0 2015
Metropolitan Riveters East Rutherford, New Jersey The Rink at American Dream[94] Venla Hovi 1 2015 New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Minnesota Whitecaps Richfield, Minnesota Richfield Ice Arena[95] vacant[96] 1 2018 Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Montreal Force Montreal, Quebec Various[a] Peter Smith 0 2022
Toronto Six Toronto, Ontario Canlan Ice Sports – York Geraldine Heaney 1 2020
  1. ^ The team played its first two home games of the 2022–23 season at Centre 21.02, which doubled as its practice facility; the Force played its remaining home games at five different venues throughout the province of Quebec.[94]

Seasons

[edit]

2015–16

[edit]

The inaugural NWHL Draft took place in Boston on 20 June 2015, with each team selecting five collegiate players.[97] The draft order was decided by lottery: the New York Riveters to pick first, followed by the Connecticut Whale, the Boston Pride, and the Buffalo Beauts.[98] The first overall pick was Boston College graduate Alex Carpenter, the 2015 winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award, and the daughter of NHL All-Star Bobby Carpenter.[99]

The first game in league history occurred on 11 October 2015, a sold-out match between the Riveters and the Whale.[100] Manon Rhéaume dropped the puck in the ceremonial face-off before the game.[101] The first goal in league history was scored by Jessica Koizumi of the Whale; Connecticut went on to a 4–1 win.[102] The Boston Pride secured the first Isobel Cup championship on 12 March 2016, defeating the Buffalo Beauts to secure a 2–0 series win.[19]

2016–17

[edit]

All four teams returned for the second season. Prior to the first game of the season, the Beauts' Harrison Browne announced that he was a transgender athlete.[103] The 2nd NWHL All-Star Game was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a rumored expansion market.[104] Amanda Kessel and Kelley Steadman were named as All-Star captains.[104] Kessel scored the first hat trick in NWHL All-Star history and was named Star of the Night by ESPN's SportsCenter.[105] Brianna Decker finished the season as the league's top scorer and was named NWHL Most Valuable Player (MVP).[106] The Beauts, who finished in third place in the shortened season, upset the league-leading Pride to win the Isobel Cup.[107] The Beauts were honored at a Buffalo Sabres game later that month.[108]

2017–18

[edit]

All four teams returned for the third season, all with a primary home arena for the first time. Buffalo played their home opener at Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex in the suburbs of Rochester. There was also one neutral-site game in Pittsburgh.[109] The Metropolitan Riveters won the Isobel Cup, defeating the Buffalo Beauts.[110]

2018–19

[edit]
Chelsey Brodt Rosenthal of the Whitecaps lifts the Isobel Cup in 2019.

The league expanded to five teams with the inclusion of the formerly independent Minnesota Whitecaps. The Champions Cup was played between the NWHL's 2018 Isobel Cup champion Metropolitan Riveters and the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) 2018 champion Luleå HF at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink in Princeton, New Jersey; Luleå defeated the Riveters 4–2.[111] The Whitecaps won the Isobel Cup over the Beauts in their first season in the league.

2019–20

[edit]

All five teams returned. Many former players boycotted the NWHL and formed the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), leading to large roster turnover in the offseason.[112][113] The season was expanded from 16 to 24 games.[114] On 26 January 2020, Jillian Dempsey became the first player in league history to reach 100 career points, including playoffs. She reached the century mark with an assist in a win versus Minnesota.[115] Prior to the championship game between the Boston Pride and Minnesota Whitecaps, the closure of public events during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement and eventual cancellation of the championship—the 2020 Isobel Cup was thus not awarded.[116]

2020–21

[edit]

The five teams from the previous season returned and the expansion Toronto Six were added. Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season was pushed back to November 2020 and was to last until mid-March 2021 with 60 regular season games before the Isobel Cup playoffs. The start date was postponed again to January 2021, with each team playing five games, one against each team, before starting the Isobel Cup playoffs.[117] All games were held at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York.[118]

During the two-week season, the Riveters had to withdraw from participation after several members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19. Several days later, the Whale forfeited their final game and withdrew before the playoffs. The league suspended play one day before the playoffs were to begin.[119] The league rescheduled the Isobel Cup playoffs for March 26 and 27 in Brighton, Massachusetts.[120] On 27 March, Boston won its second Isobel Cup title.

2021–22

[edit]

On 28 April 2021, the league announced that it was planning to double the salary cap of every franchise to $300,000, based on projections of financial stability for the seventh season.[121] The Pride won their second consecutive and third overall Isobel Cup.

2022–23

[edit]

The 2022–23 season saw the debut of a seventh franchise, the Montreal Force.[122] The Toronto Six defeated the Minnesota Whitecaps 4–3 in overtime to become the first Canadian team to win the Isobel Cup championship.[123]

Isobel Cup championship

[edit]
Harrison Browne of the Buffalo Beauts lifts the 2017 Isobel CupIsobel Cup.
Harrison Browne of the Buffalo Beauts lifts the Isobel Cup in 2017.

The Isobel Cup, the league's championship trophy, was awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season. The trophy was named after Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy, the daughter of Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, the namesake of the Stanley Cup.[124] The front of the trophy is engraved:

"The Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Cup 1875–1963. This Cup, shall be awarded annually to the greatest professional women's hockey team in North America. All who pursue this Cup, pursue a dream; a dream born with Isobel, that shall never die. EST. 2016."[124]

The Boston Pride won the inaugural championship in 2016.[19] The Buffalo Beauts earned the most appearances in the Isobel Cup championship with four straight appearances from 2016 to 2019, winning once in 2017.[125][126]

The 2020 Isobel Cup championship between the Boston Pride and Minnesota Whitecaps was originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was later canceled outright.[127][128] The league announced that no champion would be named for the season.[129]

Boston was the only team to win the Isobel Cup in consecutive seasons, achieving the feat in 2020–21 and 2021–22.[130] The Toronto Six were the final Isobel Cup champions with the league ceasing operations following the 2022–23 PHF season.[131]

Broadcasting

[edit]

During the inaugural season, some games were shown on ESPN3.[132] The Boston Pride became the first women's hockey team to enter a regular broadcasting agreement with a regional sports network, with 8 of its 18 games presented on either NESN or NESNplus during the league's inaugural season.[133] In 2016, third-party broadcasts moved from ESPN3 to Cheddar.[134] On 16 March 2017, the league announced that ABC News' website would provide live streaming coverage of the 2017 Isobel Cup Playoffs.[135]

On 20 June 2017, it was announced that the NWHL had made a deal with Twitter to live stream 16 regular season games, one game a week billed as the "Twitter NWHL Game of the Week", plus the All Star Game and the NWHL/Team Russia Summit Series for the 2017–18 season.[136] As part of the partnership with the New Jersey Devils in October 2017, some Riveters games were broadcast on The One Jersey Network, the Devils' digital radio station.[29] The league also streamed and archived some games on its YouTube channel for free through a service dubbed The Cross-Ice Pass. Some archived matches are also available.[137]

On 5 September 2019, the NWHL announced a three-year deal with Twitch streaming service to stream all games and league events on the platform.[138] It marked the first NWHL broadcast deal to include a rights fee, with revenue to be shared with players.[139] The NWHL also reached an agreement with NBCSN to carry the 2021 Isobel Cup semifinals and final, which would mark the first NWHL games to be broadcast nationally on a linear television channel.[140]

In 2020 and 2021, the NWHL was criticized for producing content in association with Barstool Sports, a media organization which had previously been accused of promoting racist and misogynistic views.[141] In response, the NWHL distanced itself from the outlet, after Barstool's CEO Erika Nardini posted a video allegedly encouraging the harassment of journalists who criticized the partnership.[142][143]

On 20 October 2021, the PHF announced it would exclusively stream its seventh season on ESPN+ in the United States, with the 2022 Isobel Cup final airing on ESPN2.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Krotz, Paul (August 24, 2022). "PHF Extends Exclusive Rights Agreement With ESPN". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022. Two-year agreement with ESPN includes regular season games, special events, and Isobel Cup Playoffs streaming live, exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+; Internationally, TSN to provide live coverage to Canadian viewers
  2. ^ Barshop, Sarah (March 4, 2016). "Behind the scenes on an NWHL road trip with the Riveters". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  3. ^ Neale, Jen (March 26, 2015). "NWHL, new women's hockey league, promises to pay players". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Peters, Chris (October 11, 2015). "NWHL, first paid women's pro hockey league, drops puck on first season". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  5. ^ Cleary, Martin (September 30, 2007). "Dreaming of a league of her own". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007.
  6. ^ Rutherford, Kristina (2019). "'What's right for the game': Inside the frustrating, inspiring mess that's women's pro hockey". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Cimini, Kaitlin (September 30, 2015). "NWHL Release of Player Finances Raises Questions". Today's Slapshot. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  8. ^ Clinton, Jared (September 4, 2015). "NWHL opens shop and reveals jerseys, portion of profit goes to players". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  9. ^ Keyser, Hannah. "Where Does The NWHL Go From Here?". Deadspin. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  10. ^ Borzi, Pat (February 9, 2016). "Father of Connecticut Whale Goalie Among NWHL's Mystery Investors". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "Women's Pro League Offering Pay Signs Its First Player". The New York Times. June 11, 2015. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  12. ^ "NWHL giving women platform to shine". Sporting News. October 9, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Clinton, Jared (July 2, 2015). "NWHL to hold first Canadian-based free agent camps". The Hockey News. Longueuil, PQ. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  14. ^ "Women's hockey stars not discouraged by NWHL setbacks". AP News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  15. ^ "2016 NWHL Draft dominated by WCHA players". SB Nation College Hockey. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  16. ^ "International NWHL, CWHL Player Percentage Slow to Grow". Excelle Sports. May 11, 2016. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  17. ^ Cimini, Kaitlin (December 7, 2015). "The NWHL Runs on Dunkin' (Donuts)". Today's Slapshot. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  18. ^ "NHL to host first-ever Outdoor Women's Classic presented by Scotiabank". nhl.com. National Hockey League. December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  19. ^ a b c Clauss, Kyle Scott (March 13, 2016). "The Boston Pride Are the NWHL's First-Ever Isobel Cup Champions". Boston Magazine. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "NWHL retires inaugural season jersey designs". NWHL.zone. August 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "NWHL partners with You Can Play". You Can Play Project. August 1, 2016. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  22. ^ "NWHL player Harrison Browne comes out as a transgender man". ESPN. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  23. ^ Berkman, Seth (November 22, 2016). "Pay Cuts Jolt Women's Pro League and Leave Its Future Uncertain". New York Times. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "NWHL hit with bad news". The Fourth Period. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016.
  25. ^ "NWHL players to receive attendance bonuses". Excelle Sports. December 23, 2016. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  26. ^ "Hockey: NWHL among 17 international organizations to adopt declaration of principles". Excelle Sports. September 7, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  27. ^ "NWHL commissioner praises Devils-Riveters partnership". SI.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  28. ^ "Devils form multi-year strategic partnership with the NWHL's Riveters". New Jersey Devils. October 5, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  29. ^ a b "The Devils fan's guide to the Riveters partnership". NHL.com. October 21, 2017. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Devils Will Invest in a Women's Hockey Franchise". The New York Times. October 4, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  31. ^ "NEW JERSEY DEVILS ENTER FIRST OF ITS KIND AGREEMENT AND FORM MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NWHL'S RIVETERS". NWHL. October 5, 2017. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  32. ^ "Owners of the Sabres Add N.W.H.L.'s Beauts to Buffalo Stable". The New York Times. December 21, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  33. ^ "Terry and Kim Pegula Acquire Buffalo Beauts". National Women's Hockey League. December 21, 2017. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  34. ^ "National Women's Hockey League expands with addition of Minnesota Whitecaps". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. May 25, 2018. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  35. ^ "NWHL Expands to Minnesota". NWHL.Zone. May 15, 2018. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  36. ^ "Professional women's hockey coming to Minnesota: Whitecaps named NWHL expansion team". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  37. ^ "Finally, NWHL lands Minnesota Whitecaps as its first expansion team". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  38. ^ "Wild, Whitecaps announce alliance". Star Tribune. August 13, 2018. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  39. ^ "Pegulas relinquish control of Buffalo Beauts". The Sports Network. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  40. ^ "NWHL Unveils Affiliate Junior League". BusLeagueHockey.com. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  41. ^ "Jr. NWHL". NWHL. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  42. ^ "Co-Owner of MLB's Texas Rangers is an NWHL investor". TheIceGarden.com. October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  43. ^ "NWHL Partner Profile: Lee Heffernan". NWHL.zone. December 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  44. ^ "Boston Bruins & Boston Pride Announce Partnership". NWHL.zone. January 10, 2019. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  45. ^ "How the Minnesota Whitecaps are finding success in the NWHL". espnW. January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  46. ^ @NWHL (March 31, 2019). "A statement from NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan". Twitter. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  47. ^ Salvian, Hailey (March 31, 2019). "NWHL to investigate adding Canadian teams after CWHL abruptly folds". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  48. ^ "U.S.-based women's hockey league OKs plan to expand to Canada after CWHL folds | The Star". thestar.com. April 2, 2019. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  49. ^ Murphy, Mike (April 2, 2019). "NWHL to add two Canadian teams, receives significant investment from NHL". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  50. ^ Mackenzie, Bob (May 2, 2019). "More than 200 players call for overhaul of women's pro hockey". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  51. ^ Kaplan, Emily (May 2, 2019). "Women's hockey stars to boycott pro leagues". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  52. ^ "A Statement to the Players, Fans and Supporters of the NWHL and Women's Hockey". NWHL.zone. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  53. ^ "Professional Women's Hockey Player Association established, issues statement". The Ice Garden. May 20, 2019. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  54. ^ Anstey, Evan (May 8, 2019). "Report: Pegula Sports & Entertainment severs relationship with Buffalo Beauts". WIVB-TV. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  55. ^ "AP Source: Pegula relinquishes control of NWHL Buffalo team". WKBW. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  56. ^ "New Jersey Devils dissolving partnership with Metropolitan Riveters". theicegarden.com. May 17, 2019. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  57. ^ "NJ Devils dissolve partnership with Metropolitan Riveters ahead of schedule". northjersey.com. May 17, 2019. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  58. ^ a b "NWHL Reveals Expanded Schedule for the 2019-20 Season". NWHL. July 29, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  59. ^ ""We'll Always Do What's Best for the Game" - A Message from the NWHL". OurSports Central. May 30, 2019. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  60. ^ "NWHL Agrees to Increase Salaries, Benefits, Revenue Sharing". Sports Illustrated. May 23, 2019. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  61. ^ "NWHL Announces Sale of the Boston Pride". OurSports Central. September 17, 2019. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  62. ^ "NWHL adding first Canadian team, in Toronto". ESPN.com. April 22, 2020. Archived from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  63. ^ Wawrow, John (October 12, 2020). "AP Source: NWHL founder Rylan stepping down as commissioner". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  64. ^ "Dani Rylan Kearney Resigns from NWHL, W Hockey Partners". NWHL (Press release). Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  65. ^ "NWHL to Double Salary Cap in Season Seven". OurSports Central (Press release). April 28, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  66. ^ "NWHL doubles salary cap to $300K, delays Montreal expansion". The Sports Network. April 28, 2021. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  67. ^ "NWHL Announces Sale of the Connecticut Whale". OurSports Central. May 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  68. ^ "Connecticut Whale sold, bolstering women's hockey league". Greenwich Time. May 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  69. ^ "NWHL ANNOUNCES SALE OF THE METROPOLITAN RIVETERS". NWHL. May 26, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  70. ^ "NWHL Announces Sale of Buffalo Beauts and Minnesota Whitecaps". OurSports Central. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  71. ^ Wawrow, John (September 7, 2021). "NWHL Rebrands to 'Premier Hockey Federation' to Promote Inclusivity, Inspire Youth". WNBC. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  72. ^ Krotz, Paul (September 7, 2021). "NWHL REBRANDS AS PREMIER HOCKEY FEDERATION". Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  73. ^ McGran, Kevin (November 6, 2021). "The Premier Hockey Federation forges ahead, still hoping to unite women's professional hockey". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  74. ^ Doherty, Matt. "Women's professional hockey league hopes to raise its profile with rebranding as PHF and streaming deal with ESPN". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  75. ^ "Women's hockey notebook: A year after bubble, PHF dealing with pandemic hockey again". The Seattle Times. December 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  76. ^ a b "Premier Hockey Federation to more than double salary cap, add expansion franchises". ESPN.com. January 18, 2022. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  77. ^ a b Krotz, Paul (January 18, 2022). "PHF Propelled by Game-Changing $25M Investment". Premier Hockey federation. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022. Largest one-time independent investment in women's professional hockey will expand the league, provide updated facilities, and give players greater salary and benefits
  78. ^ "News: PHF LAUNCHING IN MONTREAL, OUEBEC FOR THE 2022-23 SEASON". PHF. July 12, 2022. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  79. ^ "PHF commissioner Tyler Tumminia resigns, will stay on until end of playoffs". Sportsnet.ca. February 19, 2022. Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  80. ^ "2021-22 PHF SEASON THE LAST FOR COMMISSIONER TYLER TUMMINIA". PHF. February 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  81. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (April 26, 2022). "Premier Hockey Federation names Reagan Carey, former USA Hockey director of women's ice hockey, as commissioner". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  82. ^ Salvian, Hailey (December 14, 2022). "PHF doubling salary cap for 2023-24 season". The Athletic. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  83. ^ Wawrow, John (December 14, 2022). "Women's hockey league plans to double salary cap to $1.5M US". CBC Sports. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  84. ^ Forno, Mario (December 14, 2022). "PHF Salary Cap to Double for 2023–24 Season to Historic $1.5 Million". Premier Hockey Federation (Press release). Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  85. ^ "Premier Hockey Federation plans to double salary cap in 2023-24". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  86. ^ Salvian, Hailey (May 24, 2022). "PWHPA, Billie Jean King considering new league: Source". The Athletic. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  87. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (June 29, 2023). "Sources: Premier Hockey Federation sale could unite women's hockey". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  88. ^ Sadler, Emily (June 30, 2023). "What we know (and what we don't) about the PWHPA/PHF shakeup". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  89. ^ a b Salvian, Hailey (June 30, 2023). "What we know about the PHF shutdown, and more on the new pro women's hockey league". The Athletic. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  90. ^ "A Letter from Jayna Hefford". thepwhl.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  91. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (August 29, 2023). "New Professional Women's Hockey League reveals six franchises". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023.
  92. ^ Donkin, Karissa (January 5, 2024). "Players beaming as physical play, new rules and historic moments highlight PWHL's 1st week". CBC Sports. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  93. ^ Beauts Media (March 22, 2023). "Beats Head Rhea Coach Coad Steps Down". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  94. ^ a b c "PHF Announces 2022–23 Season Schedule" (Press release). Premier Hockey Federation. September 19, 2022. Archived from the original on September 19, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  95. ^ Whitecaps Media (July 29, 2022). "RICHFIELD ICE ARENA BECOMES NEW HOME OF PHF'S MINNESOTA WHITECAPS". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  96. ^ Whitecaps Media (March 29, 2023). "Head Coach Engelhardt and Whitecaps Part Ways". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  97. ^ "NWHL giving women platform to shine". Sporting News. October 9, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  98. ^ Zoë Hayden (June 9, 2015). "Women's Hockey News Roundup, 6/9". Stanley Cup of Chowder. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  99. ^ "Alex Carpenter's Last Chance to Add a National Title to Her Résumé". The New York Times. March 11, 2016. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  100. ^ Clinton, Jared (October 7, 2015). "NWHL sells out inaugural game, Manon Rhéaume to drop ceremonial puck in Buffalo". The Hockey News. Longueuil, PQ. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  101. ^ Marrazza, Dan (October 11, 2015). "As puck drops on opening day, NWHL focused on sport's long-term growth". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  102. ^ Clinton, Jared (October 11, 2015). "Watch Jessica Koizumi enter the record books with first goal in NWHL history". The Hockey News. Longueuil, PQ. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  103. ^ Willis, Jay (January 1, 2018). "Transgender Hockey Star Harrison Browne Has More to Accomplish Before Hanging up the Skates". GQ. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  104. ^ a b "7 Things To Know About The National Women's Hockey League All-Star Game". February 10, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  105. ^ "NWHL: Amanda Kessel awarded Star of the Night by ESPN's SportsCenter". Excelle Sports. February 13, 2017. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  106. ^ "Team USA Members Receive NWHL Honors". USA Hockey. March 14, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  107. ^ "Champion Buffalo Beauts Bring The Isobel Cup to the WYRK Studios". Country 106.5 WYRK Radio. March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  108. ^ "Buffalo Beauts honored at Sabres game after winning Isobel Cup". Excelle Sports. March 22, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  109. ^ "2017–18 NWHL Schedule Announced". August 8, 2017. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  110. ^ "Metropolitan Riveters hold off defending champion Buffalo Beauts for first NWHL title". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  111. ^ "In Epic Battle, Luleå Defeats Riveters to Claim Historic First Champions Cup". NWHL.zone. September 29, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  112. ^ "Female players to sit out in bid for viable hockey league". AP News. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  113. ^ "2019-20 NWHL Preview: Storylines to watch". The Ice Garden. October 4, 2019. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  114. ^ "Report: NWHL to expand season to 24 games per team for 2019-2020". The Ice Garden. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  115. ^ Nathan Vaughan (January 28, 2020). "Record Broken: Dempsey hits 100 The longest tenured member of the Pride is a historic first". SB Nation. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  116. ^ "NWHL CANCELS 2020 ISOBEL CUP FINAL". NWHL. May 15, 2020. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  117. ^ "NWHL ANNOUNCES SEASON 6 TIMELINE". NWHL. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  118. ^ "NWHL ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR SEASON AND ISOBEL CUP PLAYOFFS AT LAKE PLACID'S 1980 RINK-HERB BROOKS ARENA". NWHL. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  119. ^ "NWHL suspends season on eve of playoffs due to COVID-19". Sportsnet.ca. February 3, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  120. ^ "NWHL TO AWARD ISOBEL CUP IN MARCH 2021". NWHL. March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  121. ^ "NWHL doubles salary cap to $300,000, delays Montreal expansion". espn.com/. April 28, 2021. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  122. ^ Shilton, Kristen (August 30, 2022). "Premier Hockey Federation unveils expansion Montreal Force as seventh team". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  123. ^ Krotz, Paul (March 27, 2023). "TORONTO SIX CROWNED 2023 ISOBEL CUP CHAMPIONS". Premier Hockey Federation official website. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  124. ^ a b "Isobel Cup". National Women's Hockey League. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  125. ^ "Buffalo Beauts score in overtime to earn third straight Isobel Cup appearance". The Buffalo News. March 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  126. ^ "Buffalo Beauts upset Boston Pride for Isobel Cup". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  127. ^ "NWHL cancels 2020 Isobel Cup Final due to pandemic - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  128. ^ "NWHL cancels 2020 Isobel Cup Final". TSN. May 15, 2020. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  129. ^ Vaughan, Nathan (May 15, 2020). "Women's hockey update: Isobel Cup Final cancelled". Stanley Cup of Chowder. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  130. ^ Kurie, Brendan (March 29, 2022). "Boston Pride rally with three-goal third period to win second straight Isobel Cup". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  131. ^ Krotz, Paul (March 27, 2023). "TORONTO SIX CROWNED 2023 ISOBEL CUP CHAMPIONS". Premier Hockey Federation official website. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  132. ^ Neale, Jen (November 25, 2015). "NWHL, ESPN announce partnership to stream on ESPN3". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo Inc. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  133. ^ SI Staff (November 17, 2015). "NWHL, NESN reach deal to televise eight Boston Pride games in 2015–16". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  134. ^ Laung, Diamond (November 15, 2016). "National Women's Hockey League To Broadcast Games on Cheddar's Sling TV Channel". sporttechie.com. SportTechie, LLC. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  135. ^ "NWHL announces broadcast partnership with ABC News for Isobel Cup Playoffs". theicegarden.com. March 13, 2017. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  136. ^ "NWHL & Twitter Partner on 'Game of the Week' Broadcasts for the 2017–18 Season". June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  137. ^ Murphy, Mike (October 10, 2015). "NWHL Games will be Streamed for Free with Cross-Ice Pass". SB Nation. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  138. ^ "Twitch Named Exclusive Streaming Partner of National Women's Hockey League". The Esports Observer. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  139. ^ Clinton, Jared (September 5, 2019). "NWHL signs three-year streaming deal with Twitch, receives broadcasting rights fee". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  140. ^ "NWHL suspends its season ahead of Isobel Cup semifinals". Awful Announcing. February 3, 2021. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  141. ^ "The NWHL has a Barstool problem, and it can no longer look away". For The Win. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  142. ^ Mertens, Maggie (February 27, 2021). "The Sports League That Refuses to Court Certain Fans". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  143. ^ "NWHL criticizes Barstool Sports CEO for video". ESPN.com. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Theberge, Nancy (2000). Higher goals: women's ice hockey and the politics of gender. Albany: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0791446417. OCLC 42771390.
  • Scott, Richard (2017). Who's Who in Women's Hockey Guide 2018. Blurb, Incorporated. ISBN 978-1364113308. OCLC 990850828.
[edit]