Sunday morning, the CWHL announced they would cease operations effective May 1, 2019. But it appears that there will be a future for pro women’s hockey in Canada.
The NWHL will expand to Toronto and Montreal starting next season, according the NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan.
Just spoke to Dani Rylan, have some women's hockey news to share: the NWHL board has approved investments in two Canadian markets. League expects to have teams in Toronto and Montreal this upcoming season. NWHL will have 7 teams.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 2, 2019
According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, Marisa Ingemi of the Boston Herald, and Mike Murphy of the Ice Garden, once the CWHL folded, Rylan reached out to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Sunday, then met with him on Monday to speak about the NHL’s financial commitment to the league.
“Obviously coming off the news of the CWHL ceasing operations for this upcoming season, it was a shock to us,” Rylan told Kaplan. “But also an immediate reaction was needed from us to do what we can to provide an opportunity for those players to have a place to play next year.”
At this time, it’s unknown if the NWHL will simply revive the CWHL franchises that held those markets, the Toronto Furies and Les Canadiennes de Montreal, or create their own teams from scratch. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment still hold the trademark rights for the Furies, and the Montreal Canadiens had a partnership with Les Canadiennes.
Furthermore, it’s unclear if CWHL players will make the jump to the NWHL so quickly. CWHLPA chair Liz Knox said discussions amongst players about who would join the NWHL would start after the IIHF World Championships which start Thursday.
Asked @CWHLPA co-chair Liz Knox if she'd play in the NWHL next season if it expands to Toronto and Montreal, and whether she expects other former CWHL players to make the move to that league. Knox says: "Not likely." But they'll all discuss post world championships.
— Kristina Rutherford (@KrRutherford) April 2, 2019
What is known is that this doesn’t mean the NWHL is done expanding. This year’s Clarkson Cup champion Calgary Inferno are not part of the current NWHL expansion, and would require “significant funds” to continue operations.
The NWHL is moving quickly to ensure those teams have a place to play this fall. This does NOT preclude us from looking into expansion in other markets in Canada and the U.S.
— NWHL (@NWHL) April 2, 2019
Given that the former CWHL players, managers, and coaches released a statement stating they would not make any rush decisions until the 28 players competing in Worlds have returned, there’s still a chance more teams could be added.
Former general managers, coaches and the players association of the CWHL just released a statement about the NWHLs announcement to move into Canada.
They are determined to stand unitied. Which doesn’t appear to mesh with the idea of NWHL only taking on two teams pic.twitter.com/p5hwcqcTjB
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) April 2, 2019
Critically, the NHL has increased its funding for the NWHL. The NHL originally gave small funds to the CWHL and NWHL so it wouldn’t appear they favored one league over the over.
In addition, Dani Rylan met with Gary Bettman yesterday. The NHL has agreed to significantly up its contribution to the NWHL. The NHL is now one of the NWHL's biggest financial sponsors.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 2, 2019
While the new funds increased “”significantly,” the reality is they are paltry. The NHL gave $50,000 each to the CWHL and NWHL, and now that the CWHL is gone, their $50,000 will be moved to the NWHL, for a total funding of $100,000.
The NHL's minimum salary: $650,000i n 2017-2018, $700,000 in 2019-2020, and $750,000 in 2021-2022.
And we're supposed to be impressed by giving 100k for women's hockey?— Rob.23 (@number23_rob) April 2, 2019
For reference: The NHL gave the CHL more than $12-million this year. A CHL team that produces one (1) NHL graduate gets more (as much as $175K) for training that one player than the NWHL may get for turning thousands of young girls into hockey fans (and consequently NHL viewers). https://t.co/25gBEF51OP
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) April 2, 2019
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly clarified that even though they are increasing their funding to the NWHL, the NHL has no plans to assist “in any formal way.”
As long as the NWHL exists, and can thrive, I don't imagine the NHL having a strong presence in governing women's professional hockey. I asked Bill Daly yesterday if the NHL plans on getting more involved. Here's what he said. pic.twitter.com/qW2zsqQZjb
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 2, 2019
Daly’s response on the minimal funding comes the same day that the NHL launched a $100k payout for a Stanley Cup Bracket Challenge.
hey everyone enter this and if one of us wins we can double the NHL's contribution ha ha ha ha ha https://t.co/Qs0UniiVK5
— Eleni 🤗 (@strongforecheck) April 2, 2019
Headline photo: @LesCanadiennes
