Summer hockey in full swing — PHF layoffs and departures — Must-click women’s hockey links
The IX: Hockey Friday with The Ice Garden, July 14, 2023
Happy Friday you wonderful people! It’s Alyssa Turner from the Ice Garden and once again I have the pleasure of bringing you everything from this week in women’s hockey.
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Summer hockey is in full swing
The Living Sisu Hockey League (LSHL) began play this past week in Quebec and to say that the stars are out would be quite the understatement. Some of the players participating in the LSHL this summer include: Marie-Philip Poulin, Gabrielle David, Savannah Harmon, Laura Stacey, Jessie Eldridge, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Eve Gascon, Ann-Sophie Bettez and so many more. The LSHL is played 3-on-3 style making the games quick and intense on all ends of the ice. The games occur on a weekly basis with the women playing every Monday. All games are streamed live on YouTube; you can find the details on the league website.
There is another women’s summer hockey league that also took to the ice this week just a little bit south of the Canadian border. The Celly League is a five team league that plays out of Bloomington, Minnesota and features some of the best pro, NCAA and high school players from all across Minnesota. Patti Marshall, Jonna Albers, Natalie Snodgrass, Liz Schepers lead the way for a star studded lineup across the league in its inaugural season. The Celly League streams their games online.
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Fresh news from USA Hockey
USA Hockey announced on Tuesday that 77 athletes will participate in the 2023 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival. The National Festival is used to select the U.S. Under-18 Select Team and U.S. Collegiate Select Team that will compete against Team Canada. Team USA’s senior women’s national team will also be in attendance at the Festival that takes place between August 7 and August 13 in Lake Placid. The announced roster includes five members of the former PHF, 15 members of the former PWHPA and several graduating players. When the 2023 USA Hockey-Biosteel Girls U18 Select Camp comes to a close later this month, the roster will expand by 32.
USA Hockey also announced that head coach John Wroblewski will continue in his position with the women’s national team through the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. His most recent success with the team came with a World Championship in Brampton where Team USA won gold. He has served as head coach since June 2022.
PHF employees officially laid off amidst acquisition
A majority of PHF staff lost their jobs this week — coaches, team presidents, marketing team members, game day managers and sadly every other role in between. Regan Carey, the former PHF Commissioner announced on Sunday that PHF employees would find out on Monday if they would be offered a job with the new league. It turns out 99% of PHF employees would be without jobs following the purchase of the PHF from the Mark Walter Group and Billie Jean King Enterprises and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association. The owners of the new league, which is set to begin in 2024, have informed former PHF employees that they are still encouraged to apply for new roles; however, nothing will be guaranteed.
Despite the pain and sadness that this news has brought so many people across the PHF world, former Buffalo Beauts GM Nate Oliver who seems to always have a way with his words wrote an Open Letter to Beauts Fans that is an absolute must read.
Former PHF player signee departures begin
With PHF player contracts voided, the former league has seen its first departures. Earlier in the offseason, Lauren Dabrowski and Naomi Rogge had both signed with the Metropolitan Riveters. Now following the news of the Mark Walter Group buying out the PHF, Rogge and Dabrowski have decided to take their talents overseas to Sweden in the SDHL where they both signed with SDE.
Elaine Chuli gets a visit with Izzy
After leading the Toronto Six to their first Isobel Cup in franchise history, goaltender Elaine Chuli spent a few days back home in Waterford, Ontario with the Isobel Cup. Throughout her time with the trophy, she saw several friends and family. In an article with the Simcoere Former, she told reporter Vincent Ball that she “can’t thank them enough” when it comes to the support through her hockey career.
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Goalie love always wins
Everyone loves goalies, we all know that. But how about goalie love? That seems like a no brainer to me in my opinion. Last weekend in Alberta the Canadian hockey world celebrated the marriage of Olympic goaltenders, Emerance Maschmeyer and Geneviève Lacasse. Every top player in Canada seemed to attend the beautiful day to celebrate the beautiful couple.
| Mondays: Soccer |
| By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer |
| Tuesdays: Tennis |
| By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer |
| Wednesdays: Basketball |
| By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The Next |
| Thursdays: Golf |
| By: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX |
| Fridays: Hockey |
| By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden |
| Saturdays: Gymnastics |
| By: Lela Moore, @runlelarun, Freelance Writer |
