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{{Short description|North American women's hockey league}}
{{About-distinguish|the 1999–2007 league|National Women's Hockey League (2015–)}}
{{About-distinguish-text|the defunct league|the league formerly branded as the NWHL between 2015-21, the [[Premier Hockey Federation]]}}
{{Infobox sports league
{{Infobox sports league
|current_season=
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|logo=NationalWomensHockeyLeague.png|thumb
|logo=NationalWomensHockeyLeague.png
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|caption=
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|founded=1999
|founded=1999
|folded=2007
|folded=2007
|countries=Canada<br />USA
|countries=[[Canada]]<br />[[United States]]
}}
}}


The '''National Women's Hockey League''' (NWHL) was a women's [[ice hockey]] league. The NWHL league was in service from 1999 to 2007, and ran by the [[Ontario Women's Hockey Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/womens-hockey-leagues-in-trademark-dispute-over-rights-to-nwhl/article29779490/|title=Women’s hockey leagues in trademark dispute over rights to 'NWHL'|publisher=Globe and Mail|language=English|date=27 april 2016|accessdate=7 January 2017}}</ref>
The '''National Women's Hockey League''' ('''NWHL''') was a [[women's ice hockey]] league established in [[Canada]] in service from 1999 to 2007. In its final season the league was run by the [[Ontario Women's Hockey Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/womens-hockey-leagues-in-trademark-dispute-over-rights-to-nwhl/article29779490/|title=Women's hockey leagues in trademark dispute over rights to 'NWHL'|publisher=Globe and Mail|language=en|date=27 April 2016|access-date=7 January 2017}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The NWHL superseded the old [[Central Ontario Women's Hockey League]] in 1998–99. After the old COWHL dropped down to three teams in 1997–98, the new league expanded to Brampton, Ottawa and the Montreal area (Montreal, Bonaventure and Laval) in 1998–99. The league was officially renamed the National Women's Hockey League on Feb. 16, 1999 with Al Dawson as the league's first president. In the inaugural season, the [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] won the West Division while the [[Montreal Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] won the East Division. The league lasted nine years before it disbanded following the 2006–07 season. In 2007–08, players from the old NWHL joined new teams in similar markets in the newly formed [[Canadian Women's Hockey League]].
The NWHL superseded the old [[Central Ontario Women's Hockey League]] in 1998–99. After the old COWHL dropped down to three teams in 1997–98, the new league expanded to Brampton, Ottawa and the Montreal area (Montreal, Bonaventure and Laval) in 1998–99. The league was officially renamed the National Women's Hockey League on February 16, 1999 with Susan Fennell as the league's first president/Commissioner. In the inaugural season, the [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] won the West Division while the [[Montreal Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] won the East Division.
Under Commissioner Fennell, the NWHL transformed to independent owners with the League negotiating to have cross Canada live television broadcast for the finals. Michael Charbon (MAC Productions) worked with the Commissioner to secure broadcast times with WTN. Games were played in Brampton's [[Powerade Centre]] (now called "The CAA Centre"), coinciding with the Brampton Canadettes world's largest hockey tournament, which brought together teams from all ages and from across North America to compete. A special highlight was attending the Championship Cup games of the NWHL.


Michael Charbon designed the NWHL Logo in the same colors of the NHL logo. Commissioner Fennell sought the approval from Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner, and it was granted.
⚫
== Structure ==
The League consisted of two divisions: the older Eastern Division (later the Eastern and Central Divisions) consists of seven teams based in [[Ontario]] and [[Quebec|Québec]], while the Western Division was formed in 2002 with the addition of the [[Calgary Oval X-Treme]], [[Edmonton Chimos]], and the [[Vancouver Griffins]]. The Griffins only lasted one season, and the high travel costs for the two Alberta teams caused them to break away in 2004 and form the [[Western Women's Hockey League]].


Commissioner Fennell was instrumental in having the Championship Cup purchased and engraved annually with the Champion Team players names, coaches, and even volunteers.
The two leagues agreed to merge in 2006,<ref>[http://www.caaws.ca/e/article.cfm?id=1046 Women's hockey leagues bury hatchet, merge] – from Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity</ref> however this merger broke down midseason, and the WWHL remained independent.

During the NHL strike there was talk that the women should be able to play for the Stanley Cup. Instead, Commissioner Fennell initiated talks with Governor General Adrianne Clarkson and requested consideration to rename the Championship Cup the "Clarkson Cup" as the late Governor General Lord Stanley had done for the NHL years before.

The NWHL league lasted nine years before it disbanded one year after Commissioner Fennell retired 2006 after balancing Mayoral duties and growing a professional sports league. Mayor Fennell signed over all legal instruments for the NWHL to the [[Ontario Women's Hockey Association]] (OWHA) to lead the next steps. However, one season later, following the 2006–07 season, all existing owners quit and it appeared there would be no league.

In 2007–08, players from the old NWHL joined new teams in similar markets in the newly formed [[Canadian Women's Hockey League]].

⚫
== Structure ==
From the [[1998–99 NWHL season|1998–99]] to the [[2001-02 NWHL season|2001–02]] seasons, the NWHL consisted of two divisions: the Eastern Division with [[Quebec]]-based teams, and the Western Division with [[Ontario]]-based teams.


Due to the expected merger, the NWHL was split into the Eastern and Central divisions, with the WWHL teams expected to make up the Western Division. The Eastern and Central Division teams played a 35-game unbalanced but interlocking schedule, with the four teams from the Central Division and the top two teams from the Eastern Division qualifying for the postseason. In the NWHL playoffs, teams played a best-of-three series to determine the Eastern and Central Division champions, who face off for the championship.
For the [[2002-03 NWHL season|2002–03]] and [[2003-04 NWHL season|2003–04]] seasons, the league had three divisions: the Eastern Division with Quebec-based teams, a renamed Central Division with Ontario-based teams, and a new Western Division with teams in [[Alberta]] (both seasons) and [[British Columbia]] (2002–03 only). The high travel costs for the two Alberta teams caused them to leave the NWHL to form the [[Western Women's Hockey League]], reducing the NWHL to the Eastern and Central Divisions for the [[2004-05 NWHL season|2004–05]] and [[2005-06 NWHL season|2005–06]] seasons.


The WWHL had five teams, in Alberta, British Columbia, [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Minnesota]], for its own [[2004–05 WWHL season|2004–05]] and [[2005–06 WWHL season|2005–06]] seasons. The WWHL agreed to merge with the NWHL for the [[2006–07 NWHL season]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024353/http://www.caaws.ca/e/article.cfm?id=1046 Women's hockey leagues bury hatchet, merge] – from Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity</ref> The NWHL reverted to three divisions: Eastern Division with Quebec-based teams, the Central Division with Ontario-based teams, and a renewed Western Division with teams Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Minnesota. The Eastern and Central Division teams scheduled a 35-game unbalanced but interlocking schedule, while the Western Division would only play within itself for the regular season - saving travel costs for all three divisions. The merger broke down midseason, with the WWHL teams treating it as the [[2006–07 WWHL season]] and the remaining NWHL teams handling their playoffs with all four teams from the Central Division and the top two teams from the Eastern Division qualifying for the postseason. In the NWHL playoffs, teams played a best-of-three series to determine the Eastern and Central Division champions, who then met for the NWHL championship. By the end of the 2006–07 NWHL season, the league had fallen into disarray, season records are incomplete, and the league folded shortly after the Central Division's [[Brampton Thunder]] defeated the Eastern Division's [[Montreal Axion]] to win the last ever NWHL Championship.
Teams from the Eastern and Central Divisions did not play against the Western Division teams at all in the regular season or postseason, although there were plans to have all three divisions compete in the playoffs before the league folded.


==NWHL Franchises==
==NWHL Franchises==
The following is an old list of former franchises in all three divisions of the National Women's Hockey League.
The following is list of franchises which existed in all three divisions of the now defunct National Women's Hockey League.


=== Eastern Division ===
=== Eastern Division ===
⚫
* [[Montreal Axion]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] (2003–07)
* [[Montreal Axion]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], (2003–07, [[Montreal Axion|Montreal Wingstar]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_mtl.html |title=Montreal Wingstar 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> 1999–2003, [[Montreal Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] 1998–1999).
** [[Montreal Axion|Montreal Wingstar]] (1999–2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_mtl.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722153221/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_mtl.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |title=Montreal Wingstar 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |access-date=2016-12-02}}</ref>
⚫
* [[Montreal Jofa Titan]], Montreal, Quebec, (1998–1999).
** [[Montreal Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] (1998–99)
* [[Ottawa Senators (CWHL)|Ottawa Raiders]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_ott.html |title=Ottawa Raiders 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], (1999–2007, National Capital Raiders 1998–99, to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as Ottawa Capital Canucks).
* [[Montreal Jofa Titan]], Montreal, Quebec (1998–99)
* [[Quebec Avalanche]], [[Laval, Quebec]], (2002–07, [[Quebec Avalanche|Metropol Le Cheyenne]] 2001–02, [[Quebec Avalanche|Sainte-Julie Pantheres]] 1999–2001).
* [[Laval Le Mistral]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_lav.html |title=Laval Le Mistral 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> [[Laval, Québec]], (1998–2001).
* [[Ottawa Senators (CWHL)|Ottawa Raiders]], [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]] (1999–2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_ott.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728102604/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_ott.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |title=Ottawa Raiders 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |access-date=2016-12-02}}</ref>
** National Capital Raiders (1998–99)
** note: to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as Ottawa Capital Canucks
* [[Quebec Avalanche]], [[Laval, Quebec]] (2002–07)
** [[Quebec Avalanche|Metropol Le Cheyenne]] (2001–02)
** [[Quebec Avalanche|Sainte-Julie Pantheres]] (1999–2001)
* [[Laval Le Mistral]], [[Laval, Québec]] (1998–2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_lav.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721083216/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_lav.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |title=Laval Le Mistral 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |access-date=2016-12-02}}</ref>


===Central Division===
===Western (1998–2002), Central (2002–07) Division===
* [[Brampton Thunder]], [[Brampton, Ontario]] (1998–2007)
* [[Brampton Thunder]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_bra.html |title=Brampton Thunder 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> [[Brampton, Ontario]], (1998–2007, to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as Brampton Canadette Thunder).
** note: to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as Brampton Canadette Thunder
* [[Mississauga Chiefs|Oakville Ice]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whockey.com/team/chiefs/ |title=Mississauga Chiefs Women's Senior AAA Hockey Team |website=Whockey.com |date= |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> [[Oakville, Ontario]], (2003–07, Mississauga Ice Bears 2000–2003, [[Mississauga Chiefs]] 1998–2000).
* [[Mississauga Chiefs|Oakville Ice]], [[Oakville, Ontario]] (2003–07)
⚫
* [[Vaughan Flames|Etobicoke Dolphins]], [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], (2006–07 as IWHL affiliate, Telus Lightning 2001–06, Clearnet Lightning 1999–2001).
** [[Mississauga Chiefs|Mississauga Ice Bears]] (2000–2003)
* [[Toronto Aeros|Mississauga Aeros]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_mis.html |title=Mississauga Ice Bears 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]], (2006–07 as IWHL affiliate, [[Toronto Aeros]] 2003–06, [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] 1998–2003).
* [[Scarborough Sting|Toronto Sting]] 2000–2001, [[Scarborough Sting]] 1998–2000).
** [[Mississauga Chiefs]] (1998–2000)
** note: to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as Mississauga Chiefs
⚫
* [[Vaughan Flames|Etobicoke Dolphins]], [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]] (2006–07)
** Telus Lightning (2001–06)
** Clearnet Lightning (1999–2001)
** note: to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as [[Vaughan Flames]]
* [[Toronto Aeros|Mississauga Aeros]], [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]] (2006–07)
** [[Toronto Aeros]] (2003–06)
** [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] (1998–2003)
* [[Scarborough Sting|Toronto Sting]] (2000–01)
** [[Scarborough Sting]] (1998–2000)


===Western Division===
===Western Division (2002–04, 2006–07)===
⚫
* [[Vancouver Griffins]] (2002–03)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_van.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801190026/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_van.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |title=Vancouver Griffins 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |access-date=2016-12-02}}</ref>
{{see also|Western Women's Hockey League}}
* [[Calgary Oval X-Treme]], [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]] (2002–04, partial 2006–07 season, reverted to [[Western Women's Hockey League|WWHL]])

* [[Edmonton Chimos]], [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] (2002–04, partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
* [[British Columbia Breakers]], [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley, British Columbia]].
* [[British Columbia Breakers]], [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley, British Columbia]] (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
⚫
* [[Vancouver Griffins]] (2002–2003).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_van.html |title=Vancouver Griffins 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref>
* [[Calgary Oval X-Treme]], [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], (2002–04, to [[Western Women's Hockey League|WWHL]]).
* [[Strathmore Rockies]], [[Strathmore, Alberta]] (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
* [[Edmonton Chimos]], [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]], (2002–04, to [[Western Women's Hockey League|WWHL]]).
* [[Saskatchewan Prairie Ice]], [[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]] (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
* [[Minnesota Whitecaps]], [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota]].
* [[Minnesota Whitecaps]], [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota]] (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
* [[Saskatchewan Prairie Ice]], [[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]].
* [[Strathmore Rockies]], [[Strathmore, Alberta]]


==Championship==
==Championship==
During its inaugural [[1998–99 NWHL season|1998–99 season]], a playoff tournament was held over three consecutive days, resulting in the presentation of a gold, silver and bronze medal.
⚫
Since 2006, the championship of the Eastern and Central Division was awarded the [[Clarkson Cup]], while the (officially unnamed) NWHL Champions Cup was awarded prior to 2006. Though the league and the WWHL were considered merged for the 2006–07 season, the WWHL teams did not compete for the [[Clarkson Cup]], instead playing for the WWHL Champions Cup. The Clarkson Cup is now won in a playoff between [[Western Women's Hockey League]] WWHL and [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] teams.


For the next six seasons, the playoff champion was awarded the NWHL Champions Cup.
A list of NWHL winners (winner is in '''bold'''):


⚫
For its final two seasons, the championship winner was awarded the [[Clarkson Cup]]. Though the NWHL and the [[Western Women's Hockey League]] (WWHL) were considered merged for the 2006–07 season, the WWHL teams did not compete for the Clarkson Cup, instead playing for the WWHL Champions Cup.
(Brampton have the distinction of having their home arena serve as the site of all NWHL Championship Cup games ).

After the 2007 disbanding of the NWHL, the Clarkson Cup was presented to the winner of a playoff between WWHL and [[Canadian Women's Hockey League]] (CWHL) teams, then solely to the CWHL champion after the WWHL merged with that league.

A list of NWHL Championship winners and the team they met in the final:


{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="width:84%; font-size:95%; text-align:center; border:gray solid 1px; border-collapse:collapse;"
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="width:84%; font-size:95%; text-align:center; border:gray solid 1px; border-collapse:collapse;"
Line 64: Line 92:
! Season || Champion || Finalist || Place
! Season || Champion || Finalist || Place
|-
|-
|[[2006-07 NWHL season|2006–07]] || '''[[Brampton Thunder]]''' || [[Montreal Axion]] || Brampton
|[[1998–99 NWHL season|1998–99]] ||[[Brampton Thunder]] || [[Montreal Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] || Brampton
|-
|-
⚫
|[[1999-2000 NWHL season|1999–2000]] || [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] || [[Quebec Avalanche|Sainte-Julie Pantheres]] || Brampton
|[[2005-06 NWHL season|2005–06]] || '''Montreal Axion'''<ref>[http://www.bramptonthunder.com/news.php?k=92] {{dead link|date=December 2016}}</ref>|| Brampton Thunder || Brampton
|-
|-
⚫
|[[2000-01 NWHL season|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/vv1/nwhl/1999-00/finals/ |title=NWHL Finals |website=Dgp.toronto.edu |date=2000-03-19 |access-date=2016-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927101500/http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/vv1/nwhl/1999-00/finals/ |archive-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>|| [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_bea.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115061551/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_bea.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |title=Beatrice (North York) Aeros 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |access-date=2016-12-02}}</ref> || [[Quebec Avalanche|Sainte-Julie Pantheres]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_stj.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802153918/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_stj.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 2, 2012 |title=Sainte-Julie Pantheres 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |access-date=2016-12-02}}</ref> ||Brampton
⚫
|[[2004-05 NWHL season|2004–05]] || '''[[Toronto Aeros]]''' || Montreal Axion || Brampton
|-
|-
|[[2003-04 NWHL season|2003–04]] || '''[[Calgary Oval X-Treme]]''' || Brampton Thunder || Brampton
|[[2001-02 NWHL season|2001–02]] ||[[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] || [[Brampton Thunder]] || Brampton
|-
|-
|[[2002-03 NWHL season|2002–03]] || '''Calgary Oval X-Treme ''' || [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] || Brampton
|[[2002-03 NWHL season|2002–03]] || [[Calgary Oval X-Treme]] || [[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] || Brampton
|-
|-
|[[2001-02 NWHL season|2001–02]] ||'''Beatrice Aeros''' || Brampton Thunder || Brampton
|[[2003-04 NWHL season|2003–04]] || [[Calgary Oval X-Treme]] || [[Brampton Thunder]] || Brampton
|-
|-
⚫
|[[2004-05 NWHL season|2004–05]] || [[Toronto Aeros]] || [[Montreal Axion]] || Brampton
⚫
|[[2000-01 NWHL season|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/vv1/nwhl/1999-00/finals/ |title=NWHL Finals |website=Dgp.toronto.edu |date=2000-03-19 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref>|| '''Beatrice Aeros'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_bea.html |title=Beatrice (North York) Aeros 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> || [[Quebec Avalanche|Sainte-Julie Pantheres]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyNWHL/pre_stj.html |title=Sainte-Julie Pantheres 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref> ||Brampton
|-
|-
|[[2005-06 NWHL season|2005–06]] || [[Montreal Axion]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bramptonthunder.com/news.php?k=92 |title=Brampton Thunder News: NWHL Championship Eludes Thunder |access-date=2010-02-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503064258/http://www.bramptonthunder.com/news.php?k=92 |archive-date=2008-05-03 }}</ref>|| [[Brampton Thunder]] || Brampton
⚫
|[[1999-2000 NWHL season|1999–2000]] || '''Beatrice Aeros''' || Sainte-Julie Pantheres || Brampton
|-
|[[2006-07 NWHL season|2006–07]] || [[Brampton Thunder]] || [[Montreal Axion]] || Brampton
|}
|}


Line 87: Line 117:
* 2003–04 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2003–04 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2002–03 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2002–03 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2001–02 – [[Amy Turek]], Beatrice Aeros
* 2001–02 – Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
* 2000–01 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder & Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
* 2000–01 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder & Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
* 1999-00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
* 1999–00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
* 1998–99 – [[Stephanie Boyd]], Brampton Thunder
* 1998–99 – Stephanie Boyd, Brampton Thunder


==Goal-scoring champions==
==Goal-scoring champions==
Line 98: Line 128:
* 2003–04 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2003–04 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2002–03 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2002–03 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2001–02 – [[Amy Turek]], Beatrice Aeros
* 2001–02 – Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
* 2000–01 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 2000–01 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
* 1999-00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
* 1999–00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
* 1998–99 – [[Angela James]], Beatrice Aeros
* 1998–99 – [[Angela James]], Beatrice Aeros

==2015 league==
In March 2015, a [[National Women's Hockey League (2015–)|new league]] was announced, also called the National Women's Hockey League, but separate from the former, unrelated NWHL.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 114: Line 141:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/vv1/NWHL/1999-00/index.html NWHL/COWHL website for 2000–01]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090115080939/http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/vv1/NWHL/1999-00/index.html NWHL/COWHL website for 2000–01]
⚫
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223416/http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=92b1c96e-0afa-44d7-b8bc-1c48db475f63&sponsor= Gazette (daily newspaper) Sharing the hockey dream] December 16, 2006.
*[http://www.nwhl.ca/ NWHL website]
⚫
*[http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=92b1c96e-0afa-44d7-b8bc-1c48db475f63&sponsor= Gazette (daily newspaper) Sharing the hockey dream] December 16, 2006.


{{National Women's Hockey League (1999)}}
{{National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)}}
{{Professional Women's Hockey seasons}}
{{Professional Women's Hockey seasons}}
{{Women's Ice Hockey Leagues|state=collapsed}}
{{Major women's sport leagues in North America}}
{{Major women's sport leagues in North America}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:National Women's Hockey League (1999-2007)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Women's Hockey League (1999-2007)}}
⚫
[[Category:National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)| ]]
[[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in Canada]]
[[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in Canada]]
⚫
[[Category:National Women's Hockey League (1999)| ]]
[[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in the United States]]
[[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct professional sports leagues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct professional sports leagues in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 09:46, 11 November 2024

This article is about the defunct league. Not to be confused with the league formerly branded as the NWHL between 2015-21, the Premier Hockey Federation.
National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)
SportIce hockey
Founded1999
Ceased2007
CountriesCanada
United States

The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) was a women's ice hockey league established in Canada in service from 1999 to 2007. In its final season the league was run by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association.[1]

History

[edit]

The NWHL superseded the old Central Ontario Women's Hockey League in 1998–99. After the old COWHL dropped down to three teams in 1997–98, the new league expanded to Brampton, Ottawa and the Montreal area (Montreal, Bonaventure and Laval) in 1998–99. The league was officially renamed the National Women's Hockey League on February 16, 1999 with Susan Fennell as the league's first president/Commissioner. In the inaugural season, the Beatrice Aeros won the West Division while the Bonaventure Wingstar won the East Division. Under Commissioner Fennell, the NWHL transformed to independent owners with the League negotiating to have cross Canada live television broadcast for the finals. Michael Charbon (MAC Productions) worked with the Commissioner to secure broadcast times with WTN. Games were played in Brampton's Powerade Centre (now called "The CAA Centre"), coinciding with the Brampton Canadettes world's largest hockey tournament, which brought together teams from all ages and from across North America to compete. A special highlight was attending the Championship Cup games of the NWHL.

Michael Charbon designed the NWHL Logo in the same colors of the NHL logo. Commissioner Fennell sought the approval from Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner, and it was granted.

Commissioner Fennell was instrumental in having the Championship Cup purchased and engraved annually with the Champion Team players names, coaches, and even volunteers.

During the NHL strike there was talk that the women should be able to play for the Stanley Cup. Instead, Commissioner Fennell initiated talks with Governor General Adrianne Clarkson and requested consideration to rename the Championship Cup the "Clarkson Cup" as the late Governor General Lord Stanley had done for the NHL years before.

The NWHL league lasted nine years before it disbanded one year after Commissioner Fennell retired 2006 after balancing Mayoral duties and growing a professional sports league. Mayor Fennell signed over all legal instruments for the NWHL to the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) to lead the next steps. However, one season later, following the 2006–07 season, all existing owners quit and it appeared there would be no league.

In 2007–08, players from the old NWHL joined new teams in similar markets in the newly formed Canadian Women's Hockey League.

Structure

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From the 1998–99 to the 2001–02 seasons, the NWHL consisted of two divisions: the Eastern Division with Quebec-based teams, and the Western Division with Ontario-based teams.

For the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, the league had three divisions: the Eastern Division with Quebec-based teams, a renamed Central Division with Ontario-based teams, and a new Western Division with teams in Alberta (both seasons) and British Columbia (2002–03 only). The high travel costs for the two Alberta teams caused them to leave the NWHL to form the Western Women's Hockey League, reducing the NWHL to the Eastern and Central Divisions for the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.

The WWHL had five teams, in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Minnesota, for its own 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. The WWHL agreed to merge with the NWHL for the 2006–07 NWHL season.[2] The NWHL reverted to three divisions: Eastern Division with Quebec-based teams, the Central Division with Ontario-based teams, and a renewed Western Division with teams Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Minnesota. The Eastern and Central Division teams scheduled a 35-game unbalanced but interlocking schedule, while the Western Division would only play within itself for the regular season - saving travel costs for all three divisions. The merger broke down midseason, with the WWHL teams treating it as the 2006–07 WWHL season and the remaining NWHL teams handling their playoffs with all four teams from the Central Division and the top two teams from the Eastern Division qualifying for the postseason. In the NWHL playoffs, teams played a best-of-three series to determine the Eastern and Central Division champions, who then met for the NWHL championship. By the end of the 2006–07 NWHL season, the league had fallen into disarray, season records are incomplete, and the league folded shortly after the Central Division's Brampton Thunder defeated the Eastern Division's Montreal Axion to win the last ever NWHL Championship.

NWHL Franchises

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The following is list of franchises which existed in all three divisions of the now defunct National Women's Hockey League.

Eastern Division

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Western (1998–2002), Central (2002–07) Division

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Western Division (2002–04, 2006–07)

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Championship

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During its inaugural 1998–99 season, a playoff tournament was held over three consecutive days, resulting in the presentation of a gold, silver and bronze medal.

For the next six seasons, the playoff champion was awarded the NWHL Champions Cup.

For its final two seasons, the championship winner was awarded the Clarkson Cup. Though the NWHL and the Western Women's Hockey League (WWHL) were considered merged for the 2006–07 season, the WWHL teams did not compete for the Clarkson Cup, instead playing for the WWHL Champions Cup.

After the 2007 disbanding of the NWHL, the Clarkson Cup was presented to the winner of a playoff between WWHL and Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) teams, then solely to the CWHL champion after the WWHL merged with that league.

A list of NWHL Championship winners and the team they met in the final:

Season Champion Finalist Place
1998–99 Brampton Thunder Bonaventure Wingstar Brampton
1999–2000 Beatrice Aeros Sainte-Julie Pantheres Brampton
2000–01[7] Beatrice Aeros[8] Sainte-Julie Pantheres[9] Brampton
2001–02 Beatrice Aeros Brampton Thunder Brampton
2002–03 Calgary Oval X-Treme Beatrice Aeros Brampton
2003–04 Calgary Oval X-Treme Brampton Thunder Brampton
2004–05 Toronto Aeros Montreal Axion Brampton
2005–06 Montreal Axion[10] Brampton Thunder Brampton
2006–07 Brampton Thunder Montreal Axion Brampton

Scoring champions

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  • 2006–07 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2005–06 – Sommer West, Toronto Aeros
  • 2004–05 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2003–04 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2002–03 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2001–02 – Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
  • 2000–01 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder & Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
  • 1999–00 – Karen Nystrom, Brampton Thunder
  • 1998–99 – Stephanie Boyd, Brampton Thunder

Goal-scoring champions

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  • 2006–07 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2005–06 – Sommer West, Toronto Aeros
  • 2004–05 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2003–04 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2002–03 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 2001–02 – Amy Turek, Beatrice Aeros
  • 2000–01 – Jayna Hefford, Brampton Thunder
  • 1999–00 – Karen Nystrom, Brampton Thunder
  • 1998–99 – Angela James, Beatrice Aeros

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Women's hockey leagues in trademark dispute over rights to 'NWHL'". Globe and Mail. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  2. ^ Women's hockey leagues bury hatchet, merge – from Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
  3. ^ "Montreal Wingstar 2000 Preview". Canoe.ca. 2000-09-15. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  4. ^ "Ottawa Raiders 2000 Preview". Canoe.ca. 2000-09-15. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  5. ^ "Laval Le Mistral 2000 Preview". Canoe.ca. 2000-09-15. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  6. ^ "Vancouver Griffins 2000 Preview". Canoe.ca. 2000-09-15. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  7. ^ "NWHL Finals". Dgp.toronto.edu. 2000-03-19. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  8. ^ "Beatrice (North York) Aeros 2000 Preview". Canoe.ca. 2000-09-15. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  9. ^ "Sainte-Julie Pantheres 2000 Preview". Canoe.ca. 2000-09-15. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  10. ^ "Brampton Thunder News: NWHL Championship Eludes Thunder". Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
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