Women's Hockey

TORONTO, ON (December 28, 2024) - The Toronto Sceptres have announced the signing of defender Jess Kondas to a Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) 10-day Standard Player Agreement (SPA).

Kondas has been on the Reserve Player list for Toronto since the inaugural season. This is the first time the 24-year-old from Calgary, AB has been called up to the main squad. She is expected to be in the lineup for her PWHL debut tonight against Boston.

This move corresponds with the PWHL’s announcement of a one game suspension for defender Rylind MacKinnon for an illegal check to the head hit on Montréal’s Amanda Boulier during the third period of the game on Dec. 21.

MONTRÉAL, QC (December 26, 2024) – The Montréal Victoire announced on Thursday that the club has signed defender Catherine Daoust to a Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreement (SPA).

https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2024/december/26/www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2024/december/26/montr-al-victoire-sign-defender-catherine-daoust

Toronto’s Rylind MacKinnon suspended for one game

NEW YORK AND TORONTO (December 26, 2024) – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced that, after an automatic review by the PWHL Player Safety Committee, Toronto Sceptres defender Rylind MacKinnon has been suspended for one game.

The incident occurred at 5:18 of the third period in Toronto’s game against Montréal on Dec. 21. MacKinnon was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head on Montréal’s Amanda Boulier, following an automatic review by the on-ice officials and the PWHL Central Situation Room.

The Player Safety Committee determined that the head was the main point of contact, and that MacKinnon continued her momentum after playing the puck. This is in violation of PWHL Rule 48.

Happy Holidays from the PWHL - Action resumes with three games after Christmas

NEW YORK AND TORONTO (December 24, 2024) – A closer look at on- and off-ice highlights from around the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) heading into the holiday break.

100TH PWHL GAME TO BE PLAYED DEC. 27

When the puck drops between Boston and Toronto on Friday night following the holiday break it will be the 100th game in PWHL history. The 99 games played thus far reflect 72 during the inaugural regular season, 13 in the playoffs, and 14 in the 2024-25 campaign. Total attendance through all 99 PWHL games is 569,367 – an average of 5,751 per game. This season’s attendance through 14 games is 85,837 – an average of 6,131 per game.

FROST STAY IN FIRST PLACE IN PWHL STANDINGS

The Minnesota Frost (3-1-1-0) sit alone atop the overall standings with 12 points. They extended their winning streak to four straight games with a 5-2 victory at home against the Ottawa Charge on Thursday, followed by a 4-3 shootout win on the road against the New York Sirens on Sunday in a battle for first place. The reigning PWHL champions, who are a perfect 3-for-3 all-time in shootouts, have scored a league-high 20 goals, and are the only team in the league without a regulation loss this season. Despite the loss to the Frost, the Sirens (2-1-1-1) stay in second place with nine points, having earned four points in two games last week, including a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Sceptres on Wednesday at Prudential Center in the team’s home opener. Click here to see PWHL standings.

Source: PWHL Instagram

I am not 100% sold on the icon I made, if anyone has a suggestion for something better post here. Also looking for ideas for a banner/header for the community.

As there is no mod for this community I would like to volunteer for the job. I have recently gotten into watching the PWHL, hockey has always been a passing interest of mine but this new league has gripped my entire attention.

The 3rd period was during my weekly D&D session, and I am new to following sports so I am extrapolating the SO means shootout.

Crossposted from https://beehaw.org/post/17669799

The consulting firm Deloitte estimated in November 2023 that women’s sports would generate more than $1 billion in global revenue this year for the first time ever, which the company said is up about 300% from its last estimate in 2021. Skyrocketing viewership and corporate sponsorships were major factors.

While many point to the WNBA as a blueprint for success in women’s sports, accomplishments in 2024 went far beyond one league or athlete.

Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis superstar, was the world’s highest-paid female athlete this year with $30.4 million in earnings, according to Sportico rankings. Gauff could not defend her 2023 U.S. Open title, but ended her 2024 season with a WTA finals title and a $4.8 million check — the biggest payout ever for a women’s tennis event, per Sportico.

The Olympics neared complete gender parity for the first time among the more than 11,000 men and women who competed in Paris this summer.

More than 34 million people across all NBC platforms in the U.S. watched Biles exorcise the demons of her surprising exit from the Tokyo games three years earlier. The 27-year-old shared a message of resilience and redemption as she added four gold medals to her resume. Nearly everything she did in Paris made headlines — a clap back at social media trolls, a revelation about her mental health, a moment of triumph. Her TikTok showing Team USA’s gold medals from team competition has more than 139 million views.

https://i.imgur.com/XOTPjFu.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/PYmJlA4.jpeg

Boston Fleet get their first win beating the previously undefeated New York Sirens.

I missed most of the first period today trying to find the Frost/Scepters game on YouTube, only to find out it is streaming on the PWHL Twitch channel.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-names-logos-reveal-1.7317373?cmp=rss

The Fleet represents Boston's maritime tradition, with a logo featuring a forward-leaning "B" in the shape of an anchor.

The Minnesota Frost, the PWHL said, "embodies the State of Hockey's deep-rooted love for the ice," with the "F" logo featuring sharp icicle-like points.

The Sirens are an ode to the New York's vibrant sights and sounds, and alluding to the goal horn, while the logo features the angular design of the letters "NY" to portray the Big Apple's skyline.

The Ottawa Charge reflects the Canadian capital's motto, "Advance — Ottawa — En Avant," with a logo featuring a large unfinished letter "O," that also resembles the letter "C."

The Sceptres, the PWHL said, "embody Toronto's regal history and commanding presence," and reflect the Ontario capital also being known as the Queen City. The logo features a large scepter with the letters "T" and "S" incorporated into the handle.

LOWELL, MA (May 29, 2024) – Minnesota defeated Boston 3-0 on Wednesday night at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell in Game 5 of the PWHL Finals, presented by Scotiabank, to claim The Walter Cup.

Taylor Heise was voted the recipient of the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP award after leading the PWHL Playoffs in goals with five, and finishing tied for first in points with eight, in ten games played. Heise was chosen first overall by Minnesota in the inaugural PWHL Draft in September 2023.

Nicole Hensley made 17 saves to record her second shutout of the series.

Liz Schepers scored the eventual game-winner for Minnesota at 6:14 of the second period after Sydney Brodt sent a shot around Aerin Frankel and through the crease. Schepers tapped it home—her first of the playoffs.

Michela Cava got the insurance marker at 8:08 of the third period, assisted by Mellissa Channell and Heise. Channell recorded three assists in the contest to lead all scorers in Game 5.

Cava finished the PWHL Playoffs with eight points (4G, 4A), tied with Heise for the postseason scoring lead.

Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield – the first player to ever lift The Walter Cup – scored an empty net goal at 17:54 to seal the victory for Minnesota.

Frankel made 41 saves for Boston, including 19 in the third period as her team pushed to even the score.

Minnesota clinched the series on the road— at a sold-out Tsongas Center — after Boston evened the best-of-five series in double-overtime in Game 4. Minnesota entered the PWHL Playoffs on a five-game losing streak and lost the first two games of their semifinal matchup against Toronto, before winning three straight games to reach the PWHL Finals. After losing Game 1, Minnesota won the next two games to take a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 at home.

PWHL Minnesota Championship Merchandise is now available for purchase online.

Postgame Quotes:

Minnesota captain Kendall Coyne Schofield: “It took every single player and every single person you see on this ice right now to make it happen. There’s a lot of people that counted us out when we had that [five]-game slide coming into the playoffs. But we got in and we never looked back. It took a team effort from just everyone you see here…there were a lot of moments where we could have gotten down and out. There were moments where we were down, but we knew we were never out—we stuck together. We had so much fun in the making of because the Walter Cup champions.”

Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Taylor Heise on what changed for Minnesota heading into the playoffs: “A little mindset. Obviously we believed in each other even though the losing skid wasn’t fun. But I think we all learned from it, and we have the best backup—whether that’s goaltenders, defense or forwards — and obviously we believe in each other every single shift that we’re out there. I’m just really proud of this group and I’m excited to share this moment with them.”

Boston captain Hilary Knight: “Obviously It’s tough when you lose, especially in Game 5 at home in front of amazing fans. But we just came from the room, and all we’re doing is reflecting on how proud we are — how we continued to persevere, regardless of any odds that were thrown in our direction. How we fought.”

Notes:

Attendance: 6,309 (a sell-out) – Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.  
Three Stars: 1) Nicole Hensley 2) Kendall Coyne Schofield 3) Aerin Frankel  
Shots ended 44-17 in favor of Minnesota –– They outshot Boston in all three periods (9-7/16-7/19-3). 
Coyne Schofield led all skaters with seven shots on goal – Hilary Knight led all Boston players with five shots on goal.  
Minnesota was 0/1 on the powerplay — Boston did not have a powerplay opportunity. 
Minnesota did not allow a single powerplay goal in the playoffs (19/19) — Boston didn’t score on the powerplay in the entire playoffs (0/15). 
Megan Keller (BOS) led all skaters with 28:33 TOI –– Lee Stecklein led all Minnesota players in ice-time at 26:53. 
Minnesota played ten playoff games in 22 days, the most games in the shortest time for a team this season.   
Hensley joins Kristen Campbell (TOR) and teammate Maddie Rooney with two playoff shutouts, the most of all goaltenders.  
In Game 5, Mellissa Channell became the first PWHL player to record three assists in a postseason game – Her three assists exceeded her regular-season point total (2A). 
Four of Minnesota’s six playoff victories were shutout wins.  

Seven of Minnesota’s nine playoff games ended in a shutout – The team was 4-3 in shutout games. 
Seven Minnesota players won back-to-back championships tonight including Cava and Emma Greco (2023 PHF Isobel Cup, Toronto Six), Channell, Stecklein, Clair DeGeorge, Sophia Kunin (2023 PWHPA Secret Cup, Team Harvey’s), and Natalie Buchbinder (2023 NCAA National Championship, University of Wisconsin Badgers). 
Coyne Schofield, Stecklein, and Amanda Leveille won their second professional women’s hockey championship in Minnesota following the 2019 Isobel Cup as Minnesota Whitecaps. 
Minnesota’s roster of 26 players features 21 Americans including 12 from the state of Minnesota, four Canadians, and one player from Czechia. 
Tonight’s attendance was the highest for a game at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell all season.  
During the post-game ceremony, the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award was presented by Kloss, alongside fellow PWHL Advisory Board members Stan Kasten and Royce Cohen. 
The Walter Cup was presented by Mark and Kimbra Walter, Advisory Board member Billie Jean King, and Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford. 
The Walter family is a leader in philanthropy and business, and provided the foundational support that launched the PWHL. 

Watch the last game of the first ever PWHL Walter Cup Finals in this best of 5 series between Boston and Minnesota

This one was crazy

PWHL Finals: Boston at Minnesota - Game 3 - May 24, 2024 7:00PM ET / 6:00PM CT

Watch it live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4wzJ-9j5PU