National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007): Difference between revisions

National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)
Sport	Ice hockey
Founded	1999
Ceased	2007
Countries	Canada; United States

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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

The NWHL superseded the old Central Ontario Women's Hockey League in 1998–99.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

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

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

Eastern Division

Montreal Axion, Montreal, Quebec (2003–07)
- Montreal Wingstar (1999–2003)^[3]
- Bonaventure Wingstar (1998–99)
Montreal Jofa Titan, Montreal, Quebec (1998–99)
Ottawa Raiders, Ottawa, Ontario (1999–2007)^[4]
- National Capital Raiders (1998–99)
- note: to CWHL as Ottawa Capital Canucks
Quebec Avalanche, Laval, Quebec (2002–07)
- Metropol Le Cheyenne (2001–02)
- Sainte-Julie Pantheres (1999–2001)
Laval Le Mistral, Laval, Québec (1998–2001)^[5]

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

Brampton Thunder, Brampton, Ontario (1998–2007)
- note: to CWHL as Brampton Canadette Thunder
Oakville Ice, Oakville, Ontario (2003–07)
- Mississauga Ice Bears (2000–2003)
- Mississauga Chiefs (1998–2000)
- note: to CWHL as Mississauga Chiefs
Etobicoke Dolphins, Toronto, Ontario (2006–07)
- Telus Lightning (2001–06)
- Clearnet Lightning (1999–2001)
- note: to CWHL as Vaughan Flames
Mississauga Aeros, Mississauga, Ontario (2006–07)
- Toronto Aeros (2003–06)
- Beatrice Aeros (1998–2003)
Toronto Sting (2000–01)
- Scarborough Sting (1998–2000)

Western Division (2002–04, 2006–07)

Vancouver Griffins (2002–03)^[6]
Calgary Oval X-Treme, Calgary, Alberta (2002–04, partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
Edmonton Chimos, Edmonton, Alberta (2002–04, partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
British Columbia Breakers, Langley, British Columbia (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
Strathmore Rockies, Strathmore, Alberta (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
Saskatchewan Prairie Ice, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)
Minnesota Whitecaps, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (partial 2006–07 season, reverted to WWHL)

Championship

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

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

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

References

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

External links

NWHL/COWHL website for 2000–01
Gazette (daily newspaper) Sharing the hockey dream December 16, 2006.

[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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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|North American women's hockey league}}
-{{Distinguish|the 1999–2007 league|text = the unrelated [[National Women's Hockey League]], formed in 2015}}
+{{About-distinguish-text|the defunct league|the league formerly branded as the NWHL between 2015-21, the [[Premier Hockey Federation]]}}
 {{Infobox sports league
 |current_season=
@@ Line 8: / Line 9: @@
 |founded=1999
 |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. The league was run by the [[Ontario Women's Hockey Association]] in its final season.<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=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==
-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.
+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 ==
@@ Line 21: / Line 33: @@
 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>[http://www.caaws.ca/e/article.cfm?id=1046 Women's hockey leagues bury hatchet, merge]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} – 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, Saskatchwean 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.
+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.
 ==NWHL Franchises==
-The following is list of 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 ===
 * [[Montreal Axion]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] (2003–07)
-** [[Montreal Axion|Montreal Wingstar]] (1999–2003)<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>
+** [[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 Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] (1998–99)
-* [[Montreal Jofa Titan]], Montreal, Quebec (1998–99).
+* [[Montreal Jofa Titan]], Montreal, Quebec (1998–99)
-* [[Ottawa Senators (CWHL)|Ottawa Raiders]], [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]]  (1999–2007)<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 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
@@ Line 37: / Line 49: @@
 ** [[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 |title=Laval Le Mistral 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref>
+* [[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>
 ===Western (1998–2002), Central (2002–07) Division===
@@ Line 43: / Line 55: @@
 ** note: to [[Canadian Women's Hockey League|CWHL]] as Brampton Canadette Thunder
 * [[Mississauga Chiefs|Oakville Ice]], [[Oakville, Ontario]] (2003–07)
-** Mississauga Ice Bears (2000–2003)
+** [[Mississauga Chiefs|Mississauga Ice Bears]] (2000–2003)
 ** [[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)
@@ Line 54: / Line 68: @@
 ** [[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 |title=Vancouver Griffins 2000 Preview |website=Canoe.ca |date=2000-09-15 |accessdate=2016-12-02}}</ref>
+* [[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>
 * [[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)
@@ Line 64: / Line 78: @@
 ==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.
+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.
 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.
+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.
@@ Line 78: / Line 92: @@
 ! Season || Champion || Finalist || Place
 |-
-|[[1998–99 NWHL season|1998–99]] ||[[ Brampton Thunder]] || [[Montreal Axion|Bonaventure Wingstar]] || 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
 |-
-|[[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>|| [[Toronto Aeros|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
+|[[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
 |-
 |[[2001-02 NWHL season|2001–02]] ||[[Toronto Aeros|Beatrice Aeros]] || [[Brampton Thunder]]  || Brampton
@@ Line 92: / Line 106: @@
 |[[2004-05 NWHL season|2004–05]] || [[Toronto Aeros]]    || [[Montreal Axion]]  || Brampton
 |-
-|[[2005-06 NWHL season|2005–06]] || [[Montreal Axion]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bramptonthunder.com/news.php?k=92 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-02-21 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503064258/http://www.bramptonthunder.com/news.php?k=92 |archivedate=2008-05-03 |df= }} </ref>|| [[Brampton Thunder]] || 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
 |-
 |[[2006-07 NWHL season|2006–07]] || [[Brampton Thunder]]  || [[Montreal Axion]]   || Brampton
@@ Line 103: / Line 117: @@
 * 2003–04 – 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
-* 1999-00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
+* 1999–00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
 * 1998–99 – Stephanie Boyd, Brampton Thunder
@@ Line 114: / Line 128: @@
 * 2003–04 – 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
-* 1999-00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
+* 1999–00 – [[Karen Nystrom]], Brampton Thunder
 * 1998–99 – [[Angela James]], Beatrice Aeros
@@ Line 127: / Line 141: @@
 ==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]
-*[http://www.nwhl.ca/ NWHL website]
 *[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.
 {{National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)}}
 {{Professional Women's Hockey seasons}}
+{{Women's Ice Hockey Leagues|state=collapsed}}
 {{Major women's sport leagues in North America}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:National Women's Hockey League (1999-2007)}}
-[[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in Canada]]
 [[Category:National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)| ]]
+[[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in Canada]]
 [[Category:Women's ice hockey leagues in the United States]]
 [[Category:Defunct professional sports leagues in the United States]]

v t e National Women's Hockey League (1999–2007)
Canadian Women's Hockey League Clarkson Cup
Teams	Toronto Aeros Quebec Avalanche Montreal Axion British Columbia Breakers Edmonton Chimos Etobicoke Dolphins Vancouver Griffins Oakville Ice Laval Le Mistral Calgary Oval X-Treme Saskatchewan Prairie Ice Ottawa Raiders Strathmore Rockies Scarborough Sting Toronto Sting Brampton Thunder Montreal Jofa Titan Minnesota Whitecaps Bonaventure Wingstar Montreal Wingstar
Seasons	1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07
Category

v t e Professional women's hockey seasons
NWHL	1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07
WWHL	2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11
CWHL	2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19
NWHL/PHF	2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 ~~2023–24~~
SDHL	2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23
PWHPA	2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23
PWHL	2023–24 2024–25
Clarkson Cup	2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Isobel Cup	2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

v t e Top-level women's ice hockey leagues
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) EWHL Super Cup
Americas	Canada & United States
Asia	China Japan Kazakhstan Korea Kuwait
Intercontinental	European Women's Hockey League Zhenskaya Hockey League
Europe	Austria Bulgaria Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Great Britain Iceland Italy Latvia Netherlands Norway Poland Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine
Oceania	Australia New Zealand
Defunct leagues	CWHL (2007–2019) Interliga (2003–04) NWHL (1999–2007) PHF (2015–2023) Western Canada (2004–2011)
Defunct tournaments	IIHF European Women's Champions Cup Low Countries Cup