Talk:National Women's Hockey League

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[edit] July 14 2006 news releases

FYI for those working on the article, news releases included below:

[edit] League expansion

National Women’s Hockey League Announces Major Expansion
Brampton (July 13th, 2006): Women’s hockey has taken an important momentous step as this
sport continues to grow across North America.
“All elite women’s hockey teams in North America will play within the NWHL this coming
season,” announced Susan Fennell, Commissioner of the National Women’s Hockey League.
“Discussions have been underway over the past several months, and clearly all players want
one pinnacle Championship to strive for.”
The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) represents the highest level of women's
league play in the world. The league creates an environment that recognizes the world class
status of these players in a way that represents them as role models for young athletes. Most of
Team Canada’s players are members of the NWHL and the league attracts United States
national team players as well.
"This paves the way for all teams to compete for one National Championship, the NWHL
Championship Cup, currently housed in the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Fennell said. “This season
may just end with the first ever hoisting of the Clarkson Cup.”
Last season the NWHL teams played in six cities: Brampton, Durham, Oakville, Ottawa,
Toronto and Montreal (two teams). In the West, elite women’s hockey was played under the
Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) umbrella in five cities: Vancouver, Calgary,
Edmonton, Minneapolis and Regina.
The new structure will bring together Western teams, who will compete under the West Division
of the National Women’s Hockey League while the East and Central teams will continue under
the Central Division of the NWHL. The NWHL is sanctioned and governed by the Ontario
Women’s Hockey Association which will be handling the administration.
"We are very pleased to see elite female hockey united under the umbrella of the NWHL,” said
Fran Rider, Executive Director of the OWHA. "This will provide expanded opportunities for our
exceptional players to showcase their excellence while contributing to the promotion and
development of the sport. “
"The Western teams are thrilled to be part of the newly re-organized NWHL,” said Bill Espey,
President of the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL). “We look forward to the on-ice
competition and welcome the opportunity to work with our colleagues across Canada to build on
the exceptional growth of the game.”
Media Contact:
Susan Fennell Fran Rider Bill Espey
Commissioner Executive Director President
NWHL OWHA/NWHL WWHL/NWHL
905-453-1363 416-573-5447 306-244-1828

[edit] Fennell's resignation

Fennell positions women’s hockey for success
(Brampton, Ontario) Today Susan Fennell, Mayor of the City of Brampton and
Commissioner of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) announced that she is
retiring from the NWHL.
Fennell, the founding Commissioner of the NWHL, worked tirelessly to build a real
‘Hockey League for Women’.. her dream and vision that girls could grow up ‘wanting to
play in the NWHL’.. just as boys dream to someday play in the National Hockey League
(NHL).
“I remember coming back from the Olympics in 1998 and we didn’t even have a team to
play on”, says Olympian Vicky Sunohara. “Susan Fennell stepped up and today we
have a Championship CUP in the Hockey Hall of Fame, we have fans, we have so much
more.. …”
In 1999, Commissioner Fennell negotiated a national television contract with MAC
Productions, purchased a ‘CUP’ modelled after the Stanley Cup along with an MVP
trophy, called the Brampton Cup and in year 2000 the first NWHL Championship Cup
was hoisted. Fighting to create an identity for the women, Susan negotiated to have these
two NWHL cups forever placed in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Since then, every year, the NWHL Championship has been nationally broadcast on TV
and played before record full house crowds (5,000+ fans!) in Brampton.
Today, the NWHL is a recognized name, with a recognizable Logo (designed by Michael
Charbon of MAC Productions), a frequently visited website (www.nwhlhockey.com
updated daily by Bob Dandridge). Scores are updated real-time with POINTSTREAK.
At the 2005 NWHL Championship Final, the NHL provided the Stanley Cup to stand
alongside the NWHL’s Championship Cup as further evidence that the women have a
‘league of their own’ and a ‘cup of their own’.
“Susan Fennell has played an instrumental role in moving the cause of women's
hockey forward during her tenure as Commissioner of the National Women's
Hockey League,” said Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner “The National Hockey
League supports the continued growth of women's hockey and Susan Fennell has left
women’s hockey with a solid foundation for future advancement.”
In 2005, Fennell contacted Governor General A Clarkson and invited her to ‘provide the
NWHL Championship Cup status by naming the CUP the Clarkson Cup’..
This too, has now been accomplished.
“Susan Fennell has made significant contributions and should be thanked for what she’s
done for the game,” stated Cassie Campbell, Olympian and Team Canada Captain. “Nine
years ago we played for T-Shirts now we have the foundation for a future Pro League.”
“In 8 years Susan’s commitment and dedication produced an unparalleled profile for
women’s league hockey. Susan built a solid volunteer organization and she will be
missed. Susan created the league that is entertaining to watch, while ensuring those who
play are treated and showcased as the superstars they are! The NWHL is the premier
league for women’s hockey, where about 90% of the players from five-time World
Champion Team Canada play. It has also attracted players from Team USA, Team
Finland, Team Germany and Team Japan. “, said Bob Dandridge, VP NWHL.
“ I'm sad that Susan Fennell is stepping aside, but I understand her time restraints, “
stated Jayna Hefford, 3-time Olympic Champion. “Susan Fennell has made women’s
hockey better. Susan Fennell has brought women's hockey to new levels during her 8
years in the game. She has provided us with an opportunity to compete at the highest
level, in front of full arenas and she has also given us a vision of where women's club
hockey in Canada, and the world can get to. Personally, she has provided me with an
atmosphere to train harder, become a better player and become a part of a community that
is very proud of women's hockey (Brampton). Susan has been a part of my success at
both the World and Olympic levels. I'm thankful to her for making women's hockey
more professional, and encouraging the game's future leaders to take it further".
“I couldn’t have done this without the many people who supported me and women’s
hockey, as volunteers we worked together to surround women’s league hockey to ensure
this game and these players received the recognition and respect that they so deserve.
My focus and goals were always with only the players in mind” said Susan Fennell.
“With the NWHL expansion across the country now achieved and the Championship
Cup now named the Clarkson Cup, the NWHL will need full-time attention,” said
Fennell. “Women’s hockey is a great passion of mine, I remain their biggest fan! but it is
time to pass the baton.”
-30-
Susan Fennell
Office 905-874-2600
Cell 416-473-1333

-- Jord 18:50, 14 July 2006 (UTC) the link is not working Ranul 05:33, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Clarkson Cup

Apparently, the Clarkson Cup was not awarded this year [1], and it was meant for the champion of a series between the west and the east. That's not what is says in the article. Does anyone have any clarification? -- Earl Andrew - talk 03:57, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

Your guess is as good as anyones. It doesnt even seem like the leagues have any clue themselves what is going on. The two leagues supposedly merged, but the WWHL website still acts like the western league is independent. It also lists the Strathmore Rockies as a team in the league, but does not credit its results in the standings. The NWHL webmaster made no effort in updating any western scores, and the Oval X-Treme are branding themselves as WWHL champions. The league struggles because it is low calibre hockey trying to compete on a national level. Even with the best female players in the world struggle against Jr A mens teams. Resolute 05:39, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Looks like the NWHL stopped updating its website altogether. -- Earl Andrew - talk 06:09, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Looks like it has suspended operations altogether. That the WWHL is still playing next season pretty much underscores how this merger was in name only. Functionally, the NWHL and WWHL are still two separate leagues. Resolute 15:26, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

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