It has now been three years since the most famous players, those who make up the American and Canadian teams that participate in major international events such as the Olympic Games, gathered in this association, PWHPA, with the aim of creating a strong women’s hockey league, which would provide real work for the best players in the world.
A few days ago, Gina Hefford, one of the leaders of the association, mentioned next fall as a scenario for starting activities for this potential department.
It is definitely progressing. There is still work to be done, but it is a step in the right direction. For us to change the aspect that we only see every four years, people are really attracted to the Olympics, they will look at us, they will come to see us. But in the meantime, there are three years where we train and play just as hard.
” That they can come and see us every year, every weekend, is something we want to push. That’s why we want to be able to have a league in place. »
Really, that was it.”jokingTo be able to travel anywhere, in Canada, in the United States, to see different societies. It is something close to our hearts. To go to little places where they don’t have to go see women’s hockey, little families, little girls, little boys who come to cheer us on, and to be able to inspire them. To inspire them to dream big, not just to make Team Canada or Team USA, but maybe one day make Team Montreal or Toronto or something else in the United States. It’s something we believe in a lot.
However, since the birth of the PWHPA Federation, another league has been born and is gaining momentum with time. This circuit, which took the name of the NWHL, which became the PHF, announced a record contract a few months ago.
A young collegiate phenom, Darrell Watts agreed to an annual salary of $150,000 with the Toronto Six. A new economic deal does not seem to shake the one who is nonetheless seen as the best player in the world.
We want to get paid, we want to do this as a job. For their part, they are fortunate to be getting paid. For our part, we want to continue creating something professional with the necessary resources. It takes a little longer, but we know it will happen. It opens the door to see that there are amounts like that given to girls who play hockey, so for us too, it will be the same.
Brian Jenner and Mary Philip Pullen
Photo: The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes
the home
It’s been a long time since we saw the Canadian women’s team in Quebec ahead of the two games scheduled to take place in La Belle County as part of last month’s rivalry series. Two matches that the Canadians skillfully won.
It’s been several years since we’ve played in Quebec, we’ve played a game in Trois-Rivières and a game in Laval. The arena was full. It was really cool. For me, it was really nice to see all the people who came to cheer on the Canadian team. It was something very special and we won the game as well. Capturing the energy of the crowd is very important. We’ve talked a lot about women’s hockey, we want to build it, we want people to take the time to come and watch it. For us, it’s big.
The reunion with the Americans will not be long in coming as the next World Championships will be held in Ontario next April. Two teams that have met each other frequently in recent months, the last World Series dates back less than a year.
That’s what we want, we want to play. We want to play against the best. To get all of these matches gives us more experience as a group.
And if in addition, we can do it at home.
Being able to play here in Canada is always exciting. When you see the white and the red in the stands, people cheering for us, it gives us energy. Very happy to be here at home.
The Women’s Hockey World Series begins April 5 in Brampton, Ontario.
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