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The NWHL will expand to Montreal and Toronto after CWHL folds

By Julia Karron

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April 2, 2019 10:08 pm

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Daly’s response on the minimal funding comes the same day that the NHL launched a $100k payout for a Stanley Cup Bracket Challenge.

Headline photo: @LesCanadiennes

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