2019–20 PWHPA season
| 2019–20 PWHPA season | |
|---|---|
| League | Professional Women's Hockey Players Association |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration |
|
| Season champions | Various |
The 2019–20 PWHPA season was the first season organized by the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). The organization was established after the collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League in May, 2019. The PWHPA organized a boycott of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) as part of its efforts to agitate for the establishment of a new, unified women's professional league. As part of its boycott, the PWHPA organized a series of exhibition games and events beginning in September 2019, which was ultimately cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Business[edit]
The PWHPA signed a number of corporate sponsorship agreements in 2019, and named Adidas, Budweiser, Dunkin' Donuts, Secret, and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) as its "premiere partners".[1][2] In November 2019, Budweiser produced a two minute advertisement for the PWHPA, set to the tune of The Hockey Song and featuring a number of PWHPA players and figures from the hockey community, calling for better support for women's hockey with the tagline "This game is for us all."[3]
The PWHPA set up regional training hubs in Montreal, Mississauga, Markham, Calgary, Boston, Buffalo, Minnesota, and the Northeast United States, where players could practice multiple times a week.[4]
After having spent most of the season with the PWHPA, Jordan Juron became the first PWHPA player to rejoin the NWHL in January 2020, signing with the Boston Pride.[5]
Dream Gap Tour[edit]
Due to their boycott, the members of the PWHPA decided to compete against one another on a tour to various North American cities, creating a series of exhibitions called the Dream Gap Tour.[4] Each showcase had players divided into teams, with each team named after a particular player as captain.
The first showcase was held in Toronto at Westwood Arena from September 21 to 22, 2019, and was sponsored by Unifor. Team captains were Rebecca Johnston, Brianne Jenner, Liz Knox, and Marie-Philip Poulin, with the four teams playing a round-robin tournament. The second series of showcases took place in Hudson, New Hampshire from October 5 to 6 and was sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts. All games were contested at Cyclones Arena. Team captains were Kali Flanagan, Hilary Knight, Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, and Lee Stecklein. The Hudson event series had two games on the first day and two on the second and adopted a playoff-style format. The second day's games had the losers from the previous day face each other in a consolation game and the winners play each other in a championship game.[6] The third showcase was held in Chicago at the Chicago Blackhawks' practice rink, Fifth Third Arena, from October 18 to 20 and was sponsored by the Magellan Corporation.[7] Team captains were former Olympic players Lori Dupuis and Jayna Hefford from Canada, and Hockey Hall of Fame players Cammi Granato and Angela Ruggiero, both part of the United States gold-medal winning team at the 1998 Winter Olympics. The playoff-style format from the Hudson event was retained.[8]
In January 2020, an expanded showcase sponsored by Secret was held in Greater Toronto from January 11 to 12.[9] The National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs sponsored an outdoor skills competition.[10] The showcase consisted of six teams captained by Kacey Bellamy, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Catherine Daoust, Amanda Kessel, Jocelyne Larocque, and Natalie Spooner.[11][12] The next stop was in Voorhees, New Jersey, outside Philadelphia, from February 29 to March 1, with team captains Brianna Decker, Megan Keller, Sarah Nurse, and Blayre Turnbull.[13][14][15]
For the Dream Gap Tour's final stop, the PWHPA partnered with the NHL's Arizona Coyotes with games held in Tempe, Arizona, at Oceanside Ice Arena from March 6 to 8.[16][17] There were two PWHPA teams, each captained by Arizona natives Makenna Newkirk and Katie McGovern, that played each other twice. A PWHPA team then played a team composed of Coyotes' alumni.[18][19]
The PWHPA was due to play a one-week tour in Tokyo in a three-game series against the Japanese national team.[20] On February 24, 2020, it was announced that the tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.[21]
Schedule and results[edit]
| Showcase | Arena | Date | Team | Score | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Westwood Arena | September 21 | Team Johnston | 3–4 | Team Jenner |
| Team Poulin | 2–1 | Team Knox | |||
| September 22 | Team Johnston | 6–5 | Team Knox | ||
| Team Poulin | 5–1 | Team Jenner | |||
| Hudson | Cyclones Arena | October 5 | Team Flanagan | 3–6 | Team Stecklein |
| Team Knight | 3–1 | Team Lamoureux | |||
| October 6 | Team Lamoureux | 5–2 | Team Flanagan | ||
| Team Stecklein | 5–4 | Team Knight | |||
| Chicago | Fifth Third Arena | October 19 | Team Hefford | 5–4 | Team Dupuis |
| Team Granato | 4–2 | Team Ruggiero | |||
| October 20 | Team Ruggiero | 6–4 | Team Dupuis | ||
| Team Granato | 4–1 | Team Hefford | |||
| Toronto | Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre (North York) |
January 11 | Team Larocque | 5–4 (OT) | Team Kessel |
| Team Bellamy | 3–6 | Team Daoust | |||
| Team Spooner | 3–6 | Team Coyne | |||
| January 12 | Team Kessel | 0–1 | Team Bellamy | ||
| Al Palladini Community Center (Vaughan) |
Team Coyne | 5–2 | Team Larocque | ||
| Mattamy Athletic Centre | Team Daoust | 8–0 | Team Spooner | ||
| Philadelphia | Virtua Flyers Skate Zone (Voorhees, New Jersey) |
February 29 | Team Turnbull | 7–2 | Team Nurse |
| Team Decker | 2–6 | Team Keller | |||
| March 1 | Team Decker | 3–2 | Team Nurse | ||
| Team Keller | 3–4 (OT) | Team Turnbull | |||
| Arizona | Oceanside Ice Arena (Tempe, Arizona) |
March 6 | Team McGovern | 2–1 | Team Newkirk |
| March 7 | Team McGovern | 2–3 | Team Newkirk | ||
| March 8 | PWHPA | 4–6 | Coyotes Alumni |
2020 NHL All-Star Game[edit]
Several PWHPA players were invited to participate in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, featuring in the Elite Women's 3-on-3 Game held on the night of the Skills Competition.[22]
2020 ECHL All-Star Classic[edit]
Four PWHPA members were invited to participate in the 2020 ECHL All-Star Classic in Wichita, Kansas, in January 2020.[23] The four players, all members of the American national team, were Annie Pankowski, Gigi Marvin, Dani Cameranesi, and Kali Flanagan. They participated in both the skills competitions and the 3-on-3 tournament.[24]
During the skills competitions, Cameranesi and Flanagan participated in the fastest skater competition and were estimated to have finished with times between 12 and 14 seconds. Marvin and Pankowski participated in the shot accuracy competition with times that would have placed both of them in the top three.
During the 3-on-3 tournament, Marvin played for Team West, Panowski for Team Bolts, Flanagan for Team East, and Cameranesi for Team Hammers. Marvin notched the first point by any female player with an assist on Taylor Richart's goal in the first game. In the third game, Panowski became the first to score a goal, scoring 37 seconds into the first period. Flanagan scored the game-winning goal in the tournament's championship game.[25]
Other events[edit]
On September 22, 2019, sixteen members of the PWHPA played a team made up of San Jose Sharks alumni as part of the Sharks' Fan Fest.[26] The next day, members of the PWHPA's New England hub faced off against the Boston College Eagles women's hockey team, losing 3–2 to the Eagles, with Megan Myers scoring both PWHPA goals.[27]
On December 28, 2019, the PWHPA hosted a double-header event at the Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, with a match between the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket and Toronto Marlies and then one between the PWHPA's Montreal and Minnesota hub teams.[28]
At the beginning of January 2020, a rally was held with youth players and former CWHL players in three Canadian cities, dubbed the Secret Equal Sweat, Equal Opportunity Skate Rally.[29][30]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Kaplan, Emily (October 28, 2020). "Inside the $1 million commitment that will elevate the Professional Women's Hockey Player Association Dream Gap Tour". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ "NHLPA announces partnership with PWHPA ahead of Dream Gap Tour". Sportsnet. September 20, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Spencer, Donna (November 7, 2019). "PWHPA taps Stompin' Tom Connors in campaign for women's pro league". CTV News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Brady, Rachel (September 20, 2019). "PWHPA: the Dream Gap Tour leading the way for women's hockey in North America". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Salvian, Hailey (January 10, 2020). "'I just want to play': Behind Jordan Juron's decision to switch sides in battle over future of women's hockey". The Athletic. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "Dunkin' Showcase Details". PWHPA. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ Greenfield, Jimmy (October 17, 2019). "The best women hockey players in the world are in Chicago this weekend. Will a viable pro league ever happen?". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Magellan Corporation Showcase Details". PWHPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ "Secret® Deodorant Canada Joins the PWHPA Dream Gap Tour in Toronto". Business Wire. January 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Sadler, Emily (January 10, 2020). "PWHPA Dream Gap Tour continues with Toronto showcase". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Secret Showcase headlines busy weekend for PWHPA". SB Nation. January 10, 2020. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "RECAP: PWHPA Secret Women's Hockey Showcase". Women's Hockey Life. January 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Destra, Brooke (March 2, 2020). "'If they can see it, they can be it,' PWHPA and Dream Gap Tour inspires all". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "How to watch the PWHPA's Philadelphia Dream Gap Tour stop". SB Nation. February 29, 2020. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "RECAP: PWHPA Dream Gap Tour Philadelphia". Women's Hockey Life. March 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Kinkopf, Alex (January 26, 2020). "Elite Women's 3-on-3 Shines; PWHPA Showcase Comes to Arizona in March". NHL. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "COYOTES ANNOUNCE PWHPA DREAM GAP TOUR COMING TO TEMPE MARCH 6-8". PWHPA. January 30, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "Professional women's hockey players showcase talents in Tempe". The Daily Independent. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "RECAP: PWHPA Dream Gap Tour Arizona Showcase". Women's Hockey Life. March 8, 2020. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Jay, Michelle (February 20, 2020). "PWHPA to play Dream Gap Tour stop in Japan". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "Women's hockey tour ppd. due to coronavirus". ESPN.com. February 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "Female players to take on larger role at NHL's all-star weekend". thestar.com. January 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "PWHPA members to participate in Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic". Women's Hockey Life. December 13, 2019. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ Tokarski, Anne (January 23, 2020). "PWHPA shines at 2020 ECHL All-Star Classic". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "4 U.S. women's team members play in ECHL All-Star Classic". AP NEWS. January 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "PWHPA stars not just playing for bragging rights vs. Sharks alumni". RSN. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ Goldman, Jack (September 24, 2019). "Behind New Faces, BC Beats PWHPA in Exhibition Game". Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ Book, Jared (November 28, 2019). "PWHPA, Laval Rocket announce Place Bell doubleheader". Eyes On The Prize. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ "Female hockey players rally to draw attention to gender inequality in sport". calgaryherald. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Sports-. "Des dizaines de Torontois affichent leur soutien pour le hockey féminin". Radio-Canada.ca. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.