USA’s Hilary Knight #21 celebrates with Megan Keller #5 and Abbey Murphy #37 after being named Player of the Game for her team after a 6-3 Gold Medal Game win against Canada at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship at CAA Centre on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDREA CARDIN
It’s been a day, and the raw emotions of Friday have given way to a greater calm, and a sense of the unknown that lies ahead. Women’s hockey is getting a true professional league, but there is much work to be done between now and when first puck drop some time next January.
Still, virtually everyone in the women’s hockey world has something to say about what has transpired over the last 48 hours, and most of it is optimistic.
“The IIHF is in the business of international competition and not specifically leagues and clubs, but seeing that finally a way to bring the two leagues together has been found is great news,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “In North America and Europe and everywhere else in the world, it’s about time that women can find a league where they can fully live out their passion and make a decent income.”
Sarah Nurse, who has been a member of Canada’s senior team since 2018 and is considered one of the most respected voices in the game, took to Twitter to share her enthusiasm:
Still, virtually everyone in the women’s hockey world has something to say about what has transpired over the last 48 hours, and most of it is optimistic.
“The IIHF is in the business of international competition and not specifically leagues and clubs, but seeing that finally a way to bring the two leagues together has been found is great news,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “In North America and Europe and everywhere else in the world, it’s about time that women can find a league where they can fully live out their passion and make a decent income.”
Sarah Nurse, who has been a member of Canada’s senior team since 2018 and is considered one of the most respected voices in the game, took to Twitter to share her enthusiasm:
Jayna Hefford, the Chair of the PWHPA, also sees nothing but a brighter future for the women’s game.
In a private conversation with the IIHF, Reagan Carey, Hefford’s counterpart with the PHF, concurred. “A single home for professional women's ice hockey has been a long-term goal,” she began. “Now, in the spirit of collaboration, a path has been paved for the world's best players and staff to have the opportunity to form a league of excellence in an unprecedented way. Not since 1998, when women's ice hockey became an Olympic sport, has there been such a significant advancement in our game.”
Carey is quick to point out this advancement is by no means limited to the North American players or only the PWHPA players. “Global growth of the sport is paramount and will accelerate with a league that offers the best players from around the world a place to develop and compete at the highest level,” she added.
Cassie Campbell-Pascall is perhaps the most distinguished voice in women’s hockey, and for very good reason. As a player, she captained Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2002 and 2006 and won six gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. She played both forward and defence, and after retiring she became the first woman to do colour commentary and play-by-play for Hockey Night in Canada. If anyone has been there and done that, it’s Campbell-Pascall.
“To be honest, I was surprised this has taken so long, but thanks to the commitment and unity of the PWHPA players, women’s hockey is in the best place it has ever been,” she told the IIHF. “A sustainable business model with a good CBA is so beneficial to grow the game and protect the players for the long term. The best players come from all over the world, so I anticipate players from all over to be playing in this league. And having the best players playing in one league will be so fun to watch. I look forward to buying my tickets and brining my daughter to one of the first games.”
IIHF Council member Marta Zawadzka also sees a greater growth and health of the game globally. “This was a necessary step to take,” she enthused. “The involvement of all the best players together creates an ideal platform also to constantly drive the development and growth of the female environment. What is also very important is to make the players more visible. This new league will consist of European players as well. Young girls all over the world dream about playing NHL-level games, and now, finally, they will get the opportunity. The natural competition in sport consists of players competing one day side by side on a club team and at the Women's World Championship against each other the next day. That also creates better respect between the players and all people involved.”
Echoing her sentiments, IIHF Council Member and Chair of IIHF Officiating Committee, Marta Zawadzka sees this also as an opportunity to expand the pool of game officials: "I definitely hope this will also create new opportunities for the best European Game Officials. We would like to work closely on a platform of common rules preparation and interpretation."
Cheryl Pounder, another legend of the game on ice, was succinct in her excitement: “This will have a profound impact and change the landscape of the game.”
Carey is quick to point out this advancement is by no means limited to the North American players or only the PWHPA players. “Global growth of the sport is paramount and will accelerate with a league that offers the best players from around the world a place to develop and compete at the highest level,” she added.
Cassie Campbell-Pascall is perhaps the most distinguished voice in women’s hockey, and for very good reason. As a player, she captained Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2002 and 2006 and won six gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. She played both forward and defence, and after retiring she became the first woman to do colour commentary and play-by-play for Hockey Night in Canada. If anyone has been there and done that, it’s Campbell-Pascall.
“To be honest, I was surprised this has taken so long, but thanks to the commitment and unity of the PWHPA players, women’s hockey is in the best place it has ever been,” she told the IIHF. “A sustainable business model with a good CBA is so beneficial to grow the game and protect the players for the long term. The best players come from all over the world, so I anticipate players from all over to be playing in this league. And having the best players playing in one league will be so fun to watch. I look forward to buying my tickets and brining my daughter to one of the first games.”
IIHF Council member Marta Zawadzka also sees a greater growth and health of the game globally. “This was a necessary step to take,” she enthused. “The involvement of all the best players together creates an ideal platform also to constantly drive the development and growth of the female environment. What is also very important is to make the players more visible. This new league will consist of European players as well. Young girls all over the world dream about playing NHL-level games, and now, finally, they will get the opportunity. The natural competition in sport consists of players competing one day side by side on a club team and at the Women's World Championship against each other the next day. That also creates better respect between the players and all people involved.”
Echoing her sentiments, IIHF Council Member and Chair of IIHF Officiating Committee, Marta Zawadzka sees this also as an opportunity to expand the pool of game officials: "I definitely hope this will also create new opportunities for the best European Game Officials. We would like to work closely on a platform of common rules preparation and interpretation."
Cheryl Pounder, another legend of the game on ice, was succinct in her excitement: “This will have a profound impact and change the landscape of the game.”