More than 200 of the world’s top women’s ice hockey stars have formed a players union to push for the creation of a single, economically viable professional league in North America.
The group announced earlier this month that they would not play any professional ice hockey during the upcoming season following the closure of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), which left the five-team National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) as the only option in North America.
The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) said in a statement that it will now help female ice hockey players coordinate training needs and develop sponsor support.
The PWHPA, whose members hail from across the US, Canada and Europe, added that it wants the creation of a league with the financial resources to provide a fair wage, health insurance, infrastructure and support to training programmes for younger female players.
“We are fortunate to be ambassadors of this beautiful game, and it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation of players have more opportunities than we had,” said Kendall Coyne Schofield, a key player in last year’s gold medal-winning US Olympic team.
“It’s time to stand together and work to create a viable league that will allow us to enjoy the benefits of our hard work.”
Meanwhile Liz Knox, former co-chair of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League Players Association (CWHLPA), said the players are pushing for a better future for women’s ice hockey despite what the current state of the sport could mean for their own professional careers.
“We can’t know what will happen next, but we move forward united, dedicated, and hopeful for our future and the future of this game we love so much,” she said.
Despite the absence of a number of its star players, the NWHL still plans to begin its new season in October, and has announced that it will be offering increased salaries and a 50-50 revenue split from sponsorships and media rights deals.
The NWHL has also stressed that a number of players are returning for the 2019/20 campaign, and announced on Monday that Madison Packer, who is the joint-top scorer in the league’s history, has signed to play for the Metropolitan Riveters.
“I’m coming back for a fifth season because I am passionate about continuing my playing career and to advance the game and our league,” said Packer.
“I’m confident in the direction our sport is headed, and in the plan the NWHL has laid out for a strong season and positive experience for players and fans.”
More than 200 of the world’s top women’s ice hockey stars have formed a players union to push for the creation of a single, economically viable professional league in North America.
The group announced earlier this month that they would not play any professional ice hockey during the upcoming season following the closure of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), which left the five-team National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) as the only option in North America.
The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) said in a statement that it will now help female ice hockey players coordinate training needs and develop sponsor support.
The PWHPA, whose members hail from across the US, Canada and Europe, added that it wants the creation of a league with the financial resources to provide a fair wage, health insurance, infrastructure and support to training programmes for younger female players.
“We are fortunate to be ambassadors of this beautiful game, and it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation of players have more opportunities than we had,” said Kendall Coyne Schofield, a key player in last year’s gold medal-winning US Olympic team.
“It’s time to stand together and work to create a viable league that will allow us to enjoy the benefits of our hard work.”
Meanwhile Liz Knox, former co-chair of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League Players Association (CWHLPA), said the players are pushing for a better future for women’s ice hockey despite what the current state of the sport could mean for their own professional careers.
“We can’t know what will happen next, but we move forward united, dedicated, and hopeful for our future and the future of this game we love so much,” she said.
Despite the absence of a number of its star players, the NWHL still plans to begin its new season in October, and has announced that it will be offering increased salaries and a 50-50 revenue split from sponsorships and media rights deals.
The NWHL has also stressed that a number of players are returning for the 2019/20 campaign, and announced on Monday that Madison Packer, who is the joint-top scorer in the league’s history, has signed to play for the Metropolitan Riveters.
“I’m coming back for a fifth season because I am passionate about continuing my playing career and to advance the game and our league,” said Packer.
“I’m confident in the direction our sport is headed, and in the plan the NWHL has laid out for a strong season and positive experience for players and fans.”
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