This year embarks the inaugural season of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). A North American professional hockey league made up of the elite female athletes all over the world and it starts this October!
Dani Rylan, a former American hockey player, is the founder of the NWHL and current General Manager of the NWHL charter in New York.
Rightfully so, the NWHL is starting with four charter teams:
Games will begin on October 11th, 2015 and run through February playing typically a game per week. Each team will be fighting for its right to be crowned champions and lift the Isobel Cup. Named after Lord Stanley’s daughter, Lady Isobel Gathorne Hardy. Isobel was said to be an instrumental piece in her father’s decision to creating and donating the Stanley Cup. Even more of a reason to support the league!
In the meantime, the managers and coaches of each team are working diligently to put together the best team. This includes a league combine, a draft and scouting reports that have circled the globe a few times.
The NWHL will look to create new opportunities for players who thought their careers were done. It will look to create further career opportunities throughout the hockey industry. As a New York city dweller, I am even more excited to have a NWHL charter in my own community.
The best thing about this is the fact that the league is in its infancy. You are looking at where all major sport leagues started, before the million-dollar paychecks. You are looking at full-blown hockey players who are simply passionate about the game and are pushing the boundaries as they become the pioneers within the hockey history books. It will be one exciting season, and as expected I hope to see the Riveters lift the Cup at the end of the day.
If you wish to learn more about the NWHL, Start here!
Click here for more information on NWHL player salaries and player development discussions.
Also check out these exclusive interviews with NYRiveters -
Madison Packer & Celeste Brown
For all female athletes out there, I hope this pushes you even more in your dreams as a hockey player. Stay tuned for much more information regarding the NWHL as the season progresses.
Cheers!
4th Line Hockey
Author