Women's Professional Hockey League Usa
The Women's Professional Hockey League (WPHL) USA is a professional ice hockey league for women in the United States. It was established in 2015, as a successor to the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL), which had folded in 2019. The WPHL is the first professional women's ice hockey league in the United States to pay its players a salary.
History of Women's Professional Hockey League USA
The WPHL was founded in 2015 by Dani Rylan, a former Northeastern University ice hockey player. The league began with four teams: The Boston Pride, The Buffalo Beauts, The Connecticut Whale, and The New York Riveters. The inaugural season began on October 11, 2015, and ended with The Boston Pride as the Isobel Cup Champions. The league's trophy is named after Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy, the daughter of the Governor-General of Canada from 1916-1917.
In 2019, The Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) unexpectedly folded, leaving many talented players without a league to play in. Around the same time, many women's national hockey teams were threatening to boycott international competitions in order to push for better pay and opportunities. In response to this, The WPHL announced that they would be increasing their player salaries and expanding to six teams for the 2019-2020 season.
Teams and Players
The WPHL currently has six teams. These are The Boston Pride, The Buffalo Beauts, The Connecticut Whale, The Metropolitan Riveters, The Minnesota Whitecaps, and the newest addition, The Toronto Six, which joined the league during the 2020-2021 season. Each team has around 20 players, including both American and Canadian players. Some notable players include Hilary Knight, Brianna Decker, and Amanda Kessel. The league also has international players from countries such as Finland, Russia, and Switzerland.
Season and Playoffs
The WPHL season typically runs from October to March, with each team playing around 20-25 regular season games. There is a break for the All-Star Game, which showcases the league's top players. The playoffs consist of four teams, with the top two teams receiving a bye to the semi-finals. The semi-finals and final are played in a best-of-three series, with the winner being awarded the Isobel Cup.
Impact on Women's Hockey
The WPHL has had a significant impact on women's hockey in the United States. Prior to its establishment, many talented players had to go overseas to play professionally. The league has provided female athletes with a professional environment to showcase their skills, and has also brought more visibility to women's hockey. It has also given young girls a goal to strive for, and has helped to increase participation in the sport.
Overall, the Women's Professional Hockey League USA has been a huge step forward for women's hockey in the United States. It has provided talented female athletes with a professional league to play in, and has helped to increase participation and visibility for women's hockey. With the league's expansion and growing popularity, the future looks bright for women's hockey in the United States.