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{{Short description|Women's professional ice hockey league}}
{{Infobox sports league
| logotitle = Canadian Women's Hockey League logo.png = CWHL
| last_season = 2018–19 CWHL season
| pixels = 170px
| logo = Canadian Women's Hockey League logo.png
| caption =
| sportpixels = Ice hockey = 170px
| foundedcaption = 2007
| sport = Ice hockey
| folded = {{end date and age|2019|05|01}}
| founded = 2007
| commissioner = Brenda Andress (2007–2018)<br>[[Jayna Hefford]] <small>(2018 interim)</small>
| folded = 2019
| headquarters = [[Toronto, Ontario]], Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/contact |title=Contact - Canadian Women's Hockey League |publisher=Thecwhl.com |access-date=2018-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113203015/http://www.thecwhl.com/contact |archive-date=2018-01-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| commissioner = [[Brenda Andress]] (2007–2018)<br />[[Jayna Hefford]] (2018–19)<small>interim</small>
| teams =
| headquarters = [[Toronto, Ontario]], Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/contact |title=Contact – Canadian Women's Hockey League |website=thecwhl.com |publisher=Canadian Women's Hockey League |access-date=2018-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113203015/http://www.thecwhl.com/contact |archive-date=2018-01-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| countries = Canada<br>China<br>United States
| teams = 6
| champion = [[Calgary Inferno]] (2nd time)
| countries = Canada<br />China<br />United States
| most_champs = [[Les Canadiennes de Montreal|Montreal Stars/Les Canadiennes de Montreal]] (4 times)
| champions = [[Calgary Inferno]]
| TV = [[Sportsnet|Rogers Sportsnet]]
| most_champs =
| website = {{URL|http://www.thecwhl.com/}}
| most successful club = [[Les Canadiennes de Montreal|Montreal Stars/Les Canadiennes de Montréal]] (4 titles)
| TV = [[Sportsnet|Rogers Sportsnet]]
| website =
}}
The '''Canadian Women's Hockey League''' ('''CWHL'''; {{lang-fr|Ligue canadienne de hockey féminin ‒ LCHF}}) was a [[women's ice hockey]] league. Established in 2007 as a Canadian women's [[Senior ice hockey|senior league]] in the [[Greater Toronto Area]], [[Montreal]], and [[Ottawa]], the league eventually expanded into [[Alberta]], as well as teams in China and the United States throughout its tenure. The league [[Collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League|discontinued operations May 1, 2019]], after 12 seasons of operations.<ref name="Discontinue">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecwhl.com/the-canadian-womens-hockey-league-to-discontinue-operations|title=The Canadian Women's Hockey League to Discontinue Operations|date=2019-03-31|website=Canadian Women's Hockey League|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502221143/http://www.thecwhl.com/the-canadian-womens-hockey-league-to-discontinue-operations|archive-date=2019-05-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> For most of its existence, it was the highest level women's hockey league in North America while registered as an amateur association. It paid its players a stipend during its last two seasons.
 
The '''Canadian Women's Hockey League''' ('''CWHL'''; {{lang-fr|Ligue canadienne de hockey féminin ‒ LCHF}}) was a [[women's ice hockey]] league. Established in 2007 as a Canadian women's [[Senior ice hockey|senior league]] in the [[Greater Toronto Area]], [[Montreal]], and [[Ottawa]], the league expanded into [[Alberta]] (2011) and internationally in the [[United States]] (2010) and [[China]] (2017) throughout its tenure. The league [[Collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League|discontinued operations on May 1, 2019]], after 12 seasons.
==History==
===Formation (2007–2010)===
The CWHL was an initiative spearheaded by players such as [[Lisa-Marie Breton]], Allyson Fox, [[Kathleen Kauth]], Kim McCullough, [[Sami Jo Small]] and [[Jennifer Botterill]], all of whom played in the original [[National Women's Hockey League (1999)|National Women's Hockey League]], which was disbanded in 2007. The players worked with a group of volunteer business people to form the CWHL by following the example of the [[National Lacrosse League]]. The league would be responsible for all travel, ice rental and uniform costs, plus some equipment,<ref>{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Cleary |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=b649aca4-4560-49af-b3f0-525e14891b75 |title=Dreaming of a league of her own |publisher=Canada.com |date=2007-09-30 |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023220923/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=b649aca4-4560-49af-b3f0-525e14891b75 |archive-date=2007-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but would not pay players.<ref name="longman20131118">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/sports/olympics/women-on-the-us-olympic-hockey-team-juggle-practices-and-studies.html | title=Crashing the Boards and Cracking the Books | work=The New York Times | date=2013-11-18 | access-date=17 November 2013 | last=Longman |first=Jeré}}</ref>
 
For most of its existence, the CWHL was registered as an amateur association but was considered the top women's hockey league in North America. The National Women's Hockey League, later re-branded the [[Premier Hockey Federation]], launched in the US in 2015 and was the first women's league to pay salaries. The CWHL began paying players a stipend during its last two seasons before it folded, citing financial difficulties. The collapse of the league resulted in the establishment of the [[Professional Women's Hockey Players Association]] (PWHPA), a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to the professionalization of women's hockey.
In 2007, [[Hockey Canada]] announced it would revamp the [[Esso women's hockey nationals|Esso Women's Nationals]], with the [[Western Women's Hockey League]] champion and finalist meeting the Canadian Women's Hockey League champion and finalist.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.thestar.com/article/261338 | title = Players form new Canadian Women's Hockey League | location = Toronto | work = The Star | date = September 27, 2007}}</ref> Beginning in 2009, teams from the two leagues competed for the [[Clarkson Cup]] at the end of the season until the leagues effectively merged, under the CWHL banner, in 2011. The Clarkson Cup would then become the playoff championship trophy for the CWHL.
 
==History==
===Formation and early years (2007–2010)===
[[File:MTS vs BTH 0640 (3392704304).jpg|left|thumb|[[2009 Clarkson Cup]] action between the [[Montreal Stars]] and [[Brampton Thunder]].]]
The CWHL was an initiative spearheaded by players including [[Jennifer Botterill]], [[Lisa-Marie Breton]], Allyson Fox, [[Kathleen Kauth]], Kim McCullough, and [[Sami Jo Small]], all of whom played in the original [[National Women's Hockey League (1999)|National Women's Hockey League]], which disbanded in 2007. The players worked with a group of volunteer business people to form the CWHL. The league, which would operate as a non-profit business, would be responsible for all travel, ice rentals, uniforms, and some equipment costs, but would not pay salaries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-09-27 |title=Canadian Women's Hockey League launches |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canadian-women-s-hockey-league-launches-1.640227 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929020615/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canadian-women-s-hockey-league-launches-1.640227 |archive-date=2015-09-29 |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=[[CBC Sports]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cleary |first=Martin |date=2007-09-30 |title=Dreaming of a league of her own |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=b649aca4-4560-49af-b3f0-525e14891b75 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023220923/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=b649aca4-4560-49af-b3f0-525e14891b75 |archive-date=2007-10-23 |access-date=2014-07-18 |publisher=[[Ottawa Citizen]] |via=Canada.com}}</ref> Unlike the NWHL, in which teams were independently owned and operated, the CWHL was to be centrally run, and teams formed affiliations with local youth hockey associations.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to top Canadian players, the league ultimately attracted American and international players.<ref name="longman20131118">{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jeré |date=2013-11-18 |title=Crashing the Boards and Cracking the Books |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/sports/olympics/women-on-the-us-olympic-hockey-team-juggle-practices-and-studies.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121065723/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/sports/olympics/women-on-the-us-olympic-hockey-team-juggle-practices-and-studies.html |archive-date=2013-11-21 |access-date=2013-11-17 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Staffieri |first=Mark |date=2019-03-20 |title=CWHL Rookies: Venla Hovi—Calgary Inferno |url=https://womenshockeylife.com/cwhl-venla-hovi-calgary-inferno/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726182010/https://womenshockeylife.com/cwhl-venla-hovi-calgary-inferno/ |archive-date=2019-07-26 |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=Women's Hockey Life}}</ref>
 
In 2007, [[Hockey Canada]] announced that it would revamp the [[Esso women's hockey nationals|Esso Women's Nationals]], with the [[Western Women's Hockey League]] (WWHL) finalists meeting the CWHL finalists in a playoff.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=2007-09-27 |title=Players form new Canadian Women's Hockey League |url=https://www.thestar.com/article/261338 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607035235/https://www.thestar.com/article/261338 |archive-date=2011-06-07 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |location=Toronto |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref> Beginning in 2009, teams from the two leagues competed for the [[Clarkson Cup]] at the end of the season.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Clarkson Cup |url=https://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashclarksoncup.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820181241/https://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashclarksoncup.shtml |archive-date=2018-08-20 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=hhof.com |publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]]}}</ref>
The [[Brampton Canadettes Thunder]] won the [[2007–08 CWHL season|first CWHL championship]] on 22 March 2008, winning 4–3 over the [[Mississauga Chiefs]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news | work = The Brampton News | title = Brampton Claims Inaugural CWHL Title | url = http://www.thebramptonnews.com/articles/3258/1/Brampton-Claims-Inaugural-CWHL-Title/Page1.html | date = March 25, 2008 | access-date = January 2, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080617130113/http://www.thebramptonnews.com/articles/3258/1/Brampton-Claims-Inaugural-CWHL-Title/Page1.html | archive-date = June 17, 2008 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
 
InThe [[2008–09Brampton Thunder]] won the [[2007–08 CWHL season|2008–09first CWHL championship]] in 2008, winning 4–3 over the [[MontrealMississauga StarsChiefs]] repeatedin asthe regularfinal.<ref>{{cite seasonnews champions,|last=Del winningMundo |first=Rob |date=2008-03-25 of|title=Brampton 30Claims games,Inaugural andCWHL wonTitle |url=http://www.thebramptonnews.com/articles/3258/1/Brampton-Claims-Inaugural-CWHL-Title/Page1.html Championship|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617130113/http://www.thebramptonnews.com/articles/3258/1/Brampton-Claims-Inaugural-CWHL-Title/Page1.html |archive-date=2008-06-17 |access-date=2011-01-02 |work=The Brampton News}}</ref> In [[2008–09 CWHL season|2008–09]], the [[Montreal Stars]] wouldwon 25 of 30 games and the CWHL Championship alsobefore gogoing on to win the first [[Clarkson Cup]] over the [[Minnesota Whitecaps]].<ref name=":1" /> The Stars would also take a third straight regular season championship the [[2009–10 CWHL season|following season]]. However, theThe CWHL did not have an individual playoff champion in 2010 but would instead havehad a Clarkson Cup qualifying playoff for the third team. The Stars and [[Mississauga Chiefs]] qualified for the Cup tournament from their regular season records and the [[Brampton Thunder]] qualified through the playoff. The Thunder then played into the Clarkson Cup final but lost to the Whitecaps.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robson |first=Dan |date=2010-03-28 |title=Minnesota Whitecaps capture Clarkson Cup |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/minnesota-whitecaps-capture-clarkson-cup-1.887795 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113025926/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/minnesota-whitecaps-capture-clarkson-cup-1.887795 |archive-date=2022-11-13 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=CBC Sports}}</ref>
 
===Restructuring and stabilization (2010–2017)===
Prior to the [[2010–11 CWHL season|2010–11 season]], the league underwent a structural reorganization., Thewhich CWHLit considered the restructure a relaunch of the league.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Elite Women's Hockey Action Starts |url=http://cwhl.ca/news.asp?id=12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121085028/http://cwhl.ca/news.asp?id=12 |titlearchive-date=EliteNovember Women's21, Hockey Action Starts2010 |website=CWHL.ca |datepublisher=OctoberCanadian 21,Women's 2010Hockey |archive-date=November 21, 2010League}}</ref> Among the changesChanges included the [[Mississauga Chiefs]], [[Ottawa Senators (CWHL)|Ottawa Senators]], and [[Vaughan Flames]] teams ceasing operations,; the addition of a new Toronto team; and expansion into the United States with a team in Boston.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://oswh.goalline.ca/news2.php?news_id=272480&team_id=57056 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718055348/http://oswh.goalline.ca/news.php?news_id=272480&team_id=57056 |title=NEWS -– The 'NEW' Canadian Women's Hockey League |publisher=Ottawa Senators |date=June 7, 2010 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2010}}</ref> addingThis a new team in Toronto, and expanding intoleft the [[United States]]league with a team in [[Boston]]. The relaunch also branded the five teams: afterMontreal, their respective locationsBrampton, simplyand calling themthe [[BostonBurlington Blades|Boston CWHLBarracudas]], Bramptonalong CWHL,with the [[BurlingtonBoston Barracudas|Burlington CWHLBlades]], Montrealand CWHL, andthe [[Toronto Furies|Toronto CWHL]]. However, the CWHL teams that(who were playing in previous markets were commonly referred to simply as their former names, the Boston team called itself the [[Boston Blades]], and the new Toronto teamCWHL wasduring sometimestheir calledinaugural Toronto HCseason). The league also held its first draft in [[2010 CWHL Draft|first player draft2010]], although it was only forlimited the three [[Greater Toronto Area]] teams as the league decided that sincewithout theypaying do not pay a salarysalaries, it would bewas unfairinfeasible to force players to be based outside their hometownrelocate.<ref>{{cite web |archivedate=2010-08-12 |title=Women's Elite Hockey "First Ever" Draft |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121083919/http://cwhl.ca/news.asp?id=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121083919/http://cwhl.ca/news.asp?id=1 |titlearchive-date=Women's Elite Hockey "First Ever" Draft2010-11-21 |website=CWHL.ca |datepublisher=AugustCanadian 12,Women's 2010Hockey |archive-date=November 21, 2010League}}</ref> All five teams returned to having monikers and Toronto was officially branded as the [[Toronto Furies]].
 
The league announced on April 19, 2011, that it would mergeexpand withto theAlberta [[Westernahead Women's Hockey League]] forof the [[2011–12 CWHL season|2011–12 season]]., Thewelcoming merger featureda onesingle team basedcombining inthe bothformer [[Edmonton, Alberta|EdmontonChimos]] and [[Calgary,Strathmore Alberta|CalgaryRockies]] as a combination of the former WWHL.<ref>{{Cite franchisesnews the|date=2011-04-19 [[Edmonton|title=Canadian Chimos]]Elite andWomen's [[StrathmoreHockey Rockies]].Moves TheWest teamwith (calledLeague's [[CalgaryExpansion Inferno|Teamto Alberta]]) played|url=http://cwhl.ca/news.asp?id=73 their|url-status=dead games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516142333/http://cwhl.ca/news.asp?id=73 in|archive-date=2011-05-16 various|access-date=2024-01-20 locations around Alberta.|work=CWHL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2011-04-25 url |title=Chimos Part of Merger With CWHL |url=http://www.edmontonchimos.com/default.aspx?p=article&id=30948 | title url-status= Chimos Part of Merger With CWHLdead | website = EdmontonChimos.com | date = April 25, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716135808/http://www.edmontonchimos.com/default.aspx?p=article&id=30948 | archive-date=2011-07-16 |website=EdmontonChimos.com July 16,|publisher=Edmonton 2011Chimos}}</ref> The WWHLmove theneffectively deniedmarked thatthe thereend wasof inthe fact no mergerWWHL, and thatcontroversially theleft WWHLits wouldremaining continueteams—the forWhitecaps and the 2011–12[[Manitoba seasonMaple withLeafs]]—as two newindependent teams joiningwithout thea league to play in.<ref>{{Cite Strathmorenews and|last=Clinton Edmonton|first=Jared were|date=2018-10-05 welcome|title=Passion Project: How Undying Dedication has Led to departWhitecaps' theNWHL WWHLDebut but|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/passion-project-how-undying-dedication-has-led-to-whitecaps-nwhl-debut the|url-status=live league|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206041955/https://thehockeynews.com/news/passion-project-how-undying-dedication-has-led-to-whitecaps-nwhl-debut would|archive-date=2022-12-06 not|access-date=2024-01-20 disband|work=[[The asHockey initiallyNews]] reported|publisher=[[Sports byIllustrated]]}}</ref> theThe new CWHL throughteam variouswas mediainitially outlets.called However,Team WWHLAlberta; effectivelyit ceasedadopted operationsthe withunofficial onlyAlberta twoHoneybadgers membersmoniker (thefor Whitecapsits andsecond season, before settling on becoming the [[ManitobaCalgary Maple LeafsInferno]]) playingin a2013.<ref>{{Cite seriesnews of|date=2013-09-24 exhibition|title=The gamesheat againstis variouson: teamsCalgary team embraces new Inferno logo and name; ready to melt the ice this season |url=http://www.cwhl.ca/view/cwhl/news-644/news_87202 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109041639/http://www.cwhl.ca/view/cwhl/news-644/news_87202 |archive-date=2014-01-09 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=CWHL.ca |publisher=Canadian Women's Hockey League}}</ref> These developments also led to the Clarkson Cup becamebecoming athe CWHL-onlyplayoff championship trophy solely for the CWHL.
 
Changes continued in [[2012–13 CWHL season|2012]] with the [[Burlington Barracudas]] folding and Team Alberta taking on the nickname "Honeybadgers". The league also createdcreating a new draft system whereby players in Boston, Alberta, and Montreal could choose which team they would play on, butwhile players in the Toronto areaGTA could be forceddrafted to play for oneeither of the two remaining [[Greater Toronto Area]] (GTA) teams, Bramptonteams—Brampton or Toronto. Further, aA player's pre-draft declaration of the regional area in which they wished to play could be altered after the draft. As a result of these rules, players wishing to leave GTA teams to play in Boston, Alberta, or Montreal could do so as desired, without compensation to the GTA team that they left. Players who wished to leave one GTA team to go to the other GTA team could only be moved upon a trade between the teams.
[[File:Toronto Furies vs Boston Blades 2015-02-01 (16427417185).jpg|thumb|The [[Boston Blades]] and [[Toronto Furies]] shake hands after a game in 2015.]]
In November 2012, the CWHL announced partnerships between the Furies and Inferno with their local [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) counterparts, the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and [[Calgary Flames]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Girard |first=Daniel |date=2012-11-13 |title=Maple Leafs put faith in Furies |url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20121113/282522950742121 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=Toronto Star |via=pressreader.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-13 |title=Flames partner with CWHL to support Team Alberta |url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/m_news.htm?id=645586 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120160339/https://www.nhl.com/ice/m_news.htm?id=645586 |archive-date=2024-01-20 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=nhl.com |publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> The announcement marked a reversal from the position that sponsorships could not be directed to particular teams but only to the league, with the partnerships providing funding for coaches, equipment, and travel expenses, and greater opportunities for marketing and promotion. The Leafs partnership also led to the first [[1st Canadian Women's Hockey League All-Star Game|CWHL All-Star Game]] in 2014, hosted by the Leafs at [[Air Canada Centre]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=CWHL All-Star Showcase |url=http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=101897 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115013410/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=101897 |archive-date=2014-11-15 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=mapleleafs.nhl.com |publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs}}</ref> In 2015, the league announced a similar arrangement between the Stars and the [[Montreal Canadiens]], which led to the Stars re-branding as [[Les Canadiennes de Montréal]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Proteau |first=Adam |date=2015-03-19 |title=Canadiens Support Women's Hockey, Enter Parntership with CWHL's Montreal Stars |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/canadiens-support-womens-hockey-enter-partnership-with-cwhls-montreal-stars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519095614/https://thehockeynews.com/news/canadiens-support-womens-hockey-enter-partnership-with-cwhls-montreal-stars |archive-date=2022-05-19 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=The Hockey News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-09-24 |title=Montreal women's team gets new logo, name: Les Canadiennes |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/montreal-womens-team-gets-new-logo-name-les-canadiennes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930215622/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/montreal-womens-team-gets-new-logo-name-les-canadiennes/ |archive-date=2015-09-30 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=[[Sportsnet]] |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref> In 2012, the CWHL also announced a partnership with [[You Can Play]], an LGTBQ organization, to promote inclusiveness—it was the first league to partner with the organization.<ref name=":2" />
 
In early 2015, the CWHL began working with entrepreneur [[Dani Rylan]] to establish an expansion team in New York. However, Rylan ultimately changed plans and instead announced the establishment of a new [[National Women's Hockey League]] (NWHL) with four teams in the Northeastern United States.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Rutherford |first=Kristina |date=2019 |title='What's right for the game': Inside the frustrating, inspiring mess that's women's pro hockey |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/inside-cwhl-nwhl-mess-big-read/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330115500/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/inside-cwhl-nwhl-mess-big-read/ |archive-date=2019-03-30 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=Sportsnet}}</ref> The new league claimed to be the first true professional women's hockey league, offering player salaries ranging from $10,000 to $26,000 per year.<ref name=":3" /> However, in 2017 the NWHL cut salaries in half, calling its stability into question.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rutherford |first=Kristina |date=2020-03-08 |title='A woman willing to change the world': Meet the most controversial and misunderstood woman in hockey |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/dani-rylan-nwhl-big-read/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315184051/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/dani-rylan-nwhl-big-read/ |archive-date=2020-03-15 |access-date=2020-12-13 |website=Sportsnet}}</ref>
On November 13, 2012, in a reversal from its previous position that sponsorships could not be directed to a particular team, the CWHL announced that the Toronto Furies would be partnering with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] of the [[National Hockey League]] in a multi-year deal by which the Maple Leafs would provide funding for coaches, equipment and travel expenses. The CWHL announced a similar partnership between the Alberta Honeybadgers team and the [[Calgary Flames]], the Honeybadgers would then rebrand as the [[Calgary Inferno]] the [[2013–14 CWHL season|following season]]. The Montreal Stars would follow the trend in [[2015–16 CWHL season|2015]] with a partnership with the [[Montreal Canadiens]] by becoming [[Les Canadiennes]].
 
===Chinese expansion and player stipends (2017–2019)===
The league held its [[1st Canadian Women's Hockey League All-Star Game]] on December 13, 2014, at Toronto's [[Air Canada Centre]].
The CWHL announced on June 5, 2017, that it would expand to [[China]], adding [[Kunlun Red Star WIH]], a team controlled by the [[Kontinental Hockey League]]'s [[Kunlun Red Star]], and the [[Vanke Rays]], both based in [[Shenzhen]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-06-05 |title=Chinese team set to enter Canadian Women's Hockey League |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-unveils-chinese-expansion-franchise-2017-18/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614060851/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-unveils-chinese-expansion-franchise-2017-18/ |archive-date=2017-06-14 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=Sportsnet |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Brady |first=Rachel |date=2017-10-12 |title=After a busy summer, the CWHL is hoping for a big winter in 2017–18 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/cwhl-looks-to-china-to-grow-womens-hockey-ahead-of-2022olympics/article36563348/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013061255/https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/cwhl-looks-to-china-to-grow-womens-hockey-ahead-of-2022olympics/article36563348/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com& |archive-date=2017-10-13 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> The expansion plan was designed to help Chinese hockey development in preparation for the [[2022 Winter Olympics|2022 Beijing Winter Olympics]], while bringing significant partnership revenue to the CWHL.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Aykroyd |first=Lucas |date=2019-02-14 |title=Barely Drawing a Whisper Where Hockey Is the Talk of the Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/sports/hockey/womens-hockey-toronto-furies.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215123530/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/sports/hockey/womens-hockey-toronto-furies.html |archive-date=2019-02-15 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=New York Times}}</ref> In order to minimize travel, each North American team made one trip to China to play a four-game series, while the Chinese teams likewise had road games in North America grouped into sets.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rutherford |first=Kristina |date=2018-11-07 |title=Making it in China: Can the CWHL teach China to love hockey? |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-china-hockey-krs-vanke-shenzhen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402075441/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-china-hockey-krs-vanke-shenzhen/ |archive-date=2019-04-02 |access-date=2020-12-13 |website=Sportsnet}}</ref> Kunlun Red Star's [[2017–18 CWHL season|debut season]] was a success, with the team advancing to the Clarkson Cup final, losing 2–1 in overtime to the Thunder.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGran |first=Kevin |date=2018-03-25 |title=Laura Stacey's overtime winner gives Markham its first Clarkson Cup |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/laura-stacey-s-overtime-winner-gives-markham-its-first-clarkson-cup/article_7c47aa4f-7ae2-5676-bb02-55173c748293.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216132955/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/laura-stacey-s-overtime-winner-gives-markham-its-first-clarkson-cup/article_7c47aa4f-7ae2-5676-bb02-55173c748293.html |archive-date=2023-12-16 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=Toronto Star}}</ref>
 
Alongside the expansion, the league announced it would also begin paying its players for the first time.<ref name="PlayersPay">{{cite web |last=Brady |first=Rachel |date=2017-09-01 |title=Canadian Women's Hockey League will begin paying its players |url=https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/cwhl-will-pay-its-players-for-the-first-time-starting-this-season/article36139819/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020234412/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/cwhl-will-pay-its-players-for-the-first-time-starting-this-season/article36139819/ |archive-date=2020-10-20 |work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web |date=2017-09-01 |title=CWHL announces it will pay players in 2017–18 |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-announces-will-pay-players-2017-18/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908201100/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-announces-will-pay-players-2017-18/ |archive-date=2017-09-08 |work=Sportsnet}}</ref> Player stipends were set to a minimum of $2,000 per season and a maximum of $10,000, with a $100,000 salary cap for teams.<ref name = "PlayersPay"/><ref name=":5" /> This made the CWHL the second North American women's hockey league to pay its players after the NWHL. The CWHL's move came shortly after the NWHL cut player salaries in half.<ref name="PlayersPay" /> Alongside the introduction of stipends, the CWHL also boosted prize money and salaries for coaches and managers.<ref name=":4" /> Despite the move to pay stipends, the CWHL remained registered as an amateur league with the [[Canada Revenue Agency]].<ref name="FinalStatement" />
===China, player stipends, and league demise (2017–2019)===
It was announced on June 5, 2017, that the CWHL was expanding to [[China]] with [[Kunlun Red Star WIH]], a team controlled by [[Kunlun Red Star]] of the [[Kontinental Hockey League]], and the [[Vanke Rays]]. Each team was set to play six games against its five rivals for a total of 30 games, 15 at home and 15 on the road. In order to minimize travel, each North America-based team made one road trip to China to play a three-game series. Kunlun Red Star's road games were likewise be grouped into five three-game series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Price |first=Satchel |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/6/5/15743370/cwhl-womens-hockey-china-expansion-franchise-2017 |title=Canadian Women's Hockey League expanding to China next season |publisher=SBNation.com |date=2017-06-05 |access-date=2018-01-13}}</ref> The announced reason for the China expansion is for the nation to develop its hockey teams in preparation for its recently awarded [[2022 Winter Olympics]] to be held in Beijing.<ref name = "PlayersPay">{{cite web |url=https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/cwhl-will-pay-its-players-for-the-first-time-starting-this-season/article36139819/ |title=Canadian Women's Hockey League will begin paying its players |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=1 September 2017}}</ref>
 
In January 2018, the Furies' [[Jessica Platt]] came out as a transgender woman, making her the first transgender woman to come out in North American professional hockey, and second transgender professional player after [[Harrison Browne]] came out as a transgender man in the NWHL in 2016.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Barnes |first=Katie |date=2018-01-11 |title=CWHL's first transgender woman finds comfort, confidence in professional hockey |url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/22029536/cwhl-first-transgender-woman-finds-comfort-confidence-professional-hockey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113204554/http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/22029536/cwhl-first-transgender-woman-finds-comfort-confidence-professional-hockey |archive-date=2018-01-13 |access-date=2018-01-13 |work=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>
Along with its expansion into China for the [[2017–18 CWHL season|2017–18 season]], the league announced it would also begin paying its players for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-announces-will-pay-players-2017-18/ |title=CWHL announces it will pay players in 2017-18 |work=[[Sportsnet]] |date=1 September 2017}}</ref> The finances for the player's salaries came from the increased revenue from its Chinese partnership.<ref name = "PlayersPay"/> Player stipends were set to a minimum of $2,000 per season and a maximum of $10,000 with a team salary cap of $100,000,<ref name = "PlayersPay"/> although it was still registered as an amateur league with the [[Canada Revenue Agency]].<ref name = "FinalStatement"/> At the time of the announcement, it made the league the second women's hockey league in North America to pay players after the launch of the rival [[National Women's Hockey League]] (NWHL) in the United States in 2015.
 
On July 19, 2018, league commissioner [[Brenda Andress]] announced she would be stepping down, and [[Jayna Hefford]] was named interim commissioner.<ref>{{cite web |date=2018-07-18 |title=CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress to step down |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-commissioner-brenda-andress-step/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809013518/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-commissioner-brenda-andress-step/ |archive-date=2018-08-09 |website=Sportsnet |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CWHL announce interim commissioner head hockey operations player development |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-announce-interim-commissioner-head-hockey-operations-player-development |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720171320/http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-announce-interim-commissioner-head-hockey-operations-player-development |archive-date=20 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018 |website=thecwhl.com |publisher=Canadian Women's Hockey League}}</ref> The league consolidated its Chinese teams ahead of the [[2018–19 CWHL season|2018–19 season]] by merging Vanke and Kunlun, rebranding the team as [[Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2018-07-16 |title=CWHL to Feature Six Teams in 2018–19 |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-feature-six-teams-2018-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820182123/http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-feature-six-teams-2018-19 |archive-date=2018-08-20 |access-date=2018-08-08 |website=thecwhl.com |publisher=Canadian Women's Hockey League}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sun |first=Maura |date=2018-08-03 |title=Kunlun Red Stars announce team name change |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/kunlun-red-stars-announce-team-name-change |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407125756/http://www.thecwhl.com/kunlun-red-stars-announce-team-name-change |archive-date=2019-04-07 |access-date=2018-08-08 |website=thecwhl.com |publisher=Canadian Women's Hockey League}}</ref> Before the end of the year, the league also restructured its board after losing its largest financial backer amid alleged economic challenges.<ref>{{cite news |last=McGran |first=Kevin |date=2018-11-30 |title=CWHL unveils new lineup for board of directors |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2018/11/30/cwhl-unveils-its-new-board-of-directors.html |access-date=2020-12-19 |work=Toronto Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuthbert |first=Justin |date=2018-11-29 |title='Single biggest' CWHL investor withdraws financial support |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/single-biggest-cwhl-investor-withdraws-financial-support-165336442.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129232822/https://sports.yahoo.com/single-biggest-cwhl-investor-withdraws-financial-support-165336442.html |archive-date=2018-11-29 |access-date=2020-12-13 |website=[[Yahoo Sports]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2018, CWHL player [[Jessica Platt]] came out as a transgender woman, making her the first transgender woman to come out in North American professional hockey, and second transgender professional player after [[Harrison Browne]] came out as a transgender man in the NWHL in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barnes |first=Katie |url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/22029536/cwhl-first-transgender-woman-finds-comfort-confidence-professional-hockey |title=CWHL's first transgender woman finds comfort, confidence in professional hockey |work=Espn.com |date=2018 |access-date=2018-01-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/hockey/2018/01/11/canadian-women-hockey-jessica-platt-transgender-toronto-furies/1023685001/ |title=Jessica Platt, Toronto Furies hockey player, comes out as transgender |publisher=Usatoday.com |access-date=2018-01-13}}</ref>
 
=== Collapse (2019) ===
On July 19, 2018, inaugural league commissioner Brenda Andress announced she would be stepping down and [[Jayna Hefford]] was named the interim commissioner.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cwhl-commissioner-brenda-andress-step/ |title=CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress to step down |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-announce-interim-commissioner-head-hockey-operations-player-development |title=CWHL announce interim commissioner head hockey operations player development |publisher=CWHL |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720171320/http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-announce-interim-commissioner-head-hockey-operations-player-development |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The league also consolidated their Chinese teams by ending the membership of the [[Vanke Rays]] and rebranding Kunlun Red Star as [[Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-feature-six-teams-2018-19 |title=CWHL TO FEATURE SIX TEAMS IN 2018-19 |publisher=CWHL |date=July 16, 2018 |access-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820182123/http://www.thecwhl.com/cwhl-feature-six-teams-2018-19 |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thecwhl.com/kunlun-red-stars-announce-team-name-change |title= Kunlun Red Stars Announce Team Name Change |publisher= Canadian Women's Hockey League |author= Maura Sun |date= 3 August 2018 |access-date= 8 August 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190407125756/http://www.thecwhl.com/kunlun-red-stars-announce-team-name-change |archive-date= 7 April 2019 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
{{Main|Collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League}}
On March 31, 2019, it was announced by the CWHL board of directors that the league would discontinue operations effective May 1. The league cited financial instability due in part to the fragmentation of corporate sponsors between the CWHL and NWHL, noting that the Chinese partnership had kept the league operating during the previous two seasons. The board of directors stated that it owed its players more than the league could continue to provide, suggested that there may only be room for one women's league, and encouraged the players to push any successor leagues to pay a livable wage.<ref name="FinalStatement">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/CWHL_Final_Public_Communication%20July_2_2019_FINAL_630pm.pdf |title=Final Public Communication |website=CWHL |date=2 July 2019 |access-date=9 July 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925231559/http://thecwhl.com/CWHL_Final_Public_Communication%20July_2_2019_FINAL_630pm.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Players were not consulted prior to the decision, and tended to express shock and anger at the abrupt closure of the league.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news |last=Rutherford |first=Kristina |date=2019-03-31 |title=Questions, frustration remain in wake of CWHL's decision to fold |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/questions-frustration-remain-wake-cwhls-decision-fold/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402215259/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/questions-frustration-remain-wake-cwhls-decision-fold/ |archive-date=2019-04-02 |access-date=2024-01-15 |work=Sportsnet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wawrow |first=John |date=2019-04-18 |title=Players demand say in women's hockey future after CWHL folds |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/players-demand-say-in-womens-hockey-future-after-cwhl-folds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419145908/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/players-demand-say-in-womens-hockey-future-after-cwhl-folds/ |archive-date=2019-04-19 |access-date=2020-12-13 |website=[[The Seattle Times]] |agency=The Associated Press}}</ref>
 
The Furies, Les Canadiennes, and the Inferno all released statements that their organizations intended to continue supporting women's hockey and pursuing professional opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@TorontoCWHL |date=2019-03-31 |title=The Toronto Furies are proud of our ongoing contributions to advancing women's hockey on every level here in Toronto. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our successes and the growth we experienced over the years. Let's all #StickTogether as we look to move forward together |url=https://twitter.com/TorontoCWHL/status/1112496811158261762 |access-date=2019-04-02 |website=[[Twitter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LesCanadiennes/status/1112498604931977219|title=#FabsForever #OurCityOurClub #TheWomensMovementNeverStops|author=@LesCanadiennes|date=2019-03-31|website=Twitter|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Mike |date=2019-04-01 |title=SN Q&A: Inferno GM Kristen Hagg on CWHL ceasing operations, 'I'm not just folding up my chair and packing it in' |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/calgary-inferno-gm-kristen-hagg-on-cwhl-ceasing-operations-im-not-just-folding-up-my-chair-and-packing-it-in/6o6s729drddo1qir0p27kq579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402034651/https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/calgary-inferno-gm-kristen-hagg-on-cwhl-ceasing-operations-im-not-just-folding-up-my-chair-and-packing-it-in/6o6s729drddo1qir0p27kq579 |archive-date=2019-04-02 |access-date=2019-04-02 |website=[[The Sporting News]]}}</ref> However, The Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays proved to be the only former CWHL team to participate in a 2019–20 season by joining the Russian [[Zhenskaya Hockey League]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |date=2020-01-29 |title=What the NHL can learn from the KHL's support of women's hockey |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28585761/what-nhl-learn-khl-support-women-hockey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129155347/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28585761/what-nhl-learn-khl-support-women-hockey |archive-date=2020-01-29 |access-date=2020-12-20 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
On March 31, 2019, it was announced that the CWHL board of directors had decided that [[Collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League|the league would discontinue operations effective May 1, 2019]]. The league cited that the fragmentation of corporate sponsors between the two women's hockey leagues led to the league becoming financially infeasible, but that the Chinese partnership had kept the league operating during the previous seasons. The board of directors believed it owed its players more than the league could continue to provide, that there is only room from one women's league, and encouraged the players to push any successor leagues to pay a livable wage.<ref name = "FinalStatement">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/CWHL_Final_Public_Communication%20July_2_2019_FINAL_630pm.pdf |title=Final Public Communication |website=CWHL |date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
 
==== CWHL/NWHL relations ====
The staff of the [[Toronto Furies]] and [[Les Canadiennes]] announced that their organizations intended to continue operations while the [[Calgary Inferno]] stated they would continue to support women's hockey in [[Alberta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TorontoCWHL/status/1112496811158261762|title=The Toronto Furies are proud of our ongoing contributions to advancing women's hockey on every level here in Toronto. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our successes and the growth we experienced over the years. Let's all #StickTogether as we look to move forward together|author=@TorontoCWHL|date=2019-03-31|website=Twitter|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LesCanadiennes/status/1112498604931977219|title=#FabsForever #OurCityOurClub #TheWomensMovementNeverStops|author=@LesCanadiennes|date=2019-03-31|website=Twitter|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/calgary-inferno-gm-kristen-hagg-on-cwhl-ceasing-operations-im-not-just-folding-up-my-chair-and-packing-it-in/6o6s729drddo1qir0p27kq579|title=SN Q&A: Inferno GM Kristen Hagg on CWHL ceasing operations, 'I'm not just folding up my chair and packing it in'|website=www.sportingnews.com|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref> During the season, [[National Women's Hockey League]] (NWHL) commissioner [[Dani Rylan]] had been in talks with the CWHL about the possibility of a single league.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/NWHL/status/1112414301321658369 |title=A statement from NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan |author=@NWHL |date=March 31, 2019 |website=Twitter}}</ref> On April 2, 2019, the NWHL announced the plans to add two expansion franchises in Montreal and Toronto and based on financial support from the [[National Hockey League]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/04/02/us-based-nwhl-oks-plan-to-expand-to-canada-after-cwhl-folds.html|title=U.S.-based women's hockey league OKs plan to expand to Canada after CWHL folds {{!}} The Star|website=thestar.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref> and investors in Montreal and Toronto, including people involved with Les Canadiennes de Montreal and the Toronto Furies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/4/2/18292409/nwhl-add-two-canadian-teams-receives-significant-investment-from-nhl-montreal-toronto-bettman-rylan|title=NWHL to add two Canadian teams, receives significant investment from NHL|last=Murphy|first=Mike|date=2019-04-02|website=The Ice Garden|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref> Ultimately, the NWHL had its own set of difficulties in the 2019 offseason, including a player boycott following the closing of the CWHL, and did not add Montreal and Toronto for the 2019–20 season.<ref name = "2019-20 Update">{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/well-always-do-whats-best-for-the-game--a-message-from-the-nwhl/n-5494101 |title="We'll Always Do What's Best for the Game" - A Message from the NWHL |website=OurSports Central |date=May 30, 2019}}</ref> The [[Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays]] was the only former CWHL to participate in the 2019–20 season by joining the [[Russian Women's Hockey League]]. In 2020, the NWHL announced an expansion to Toronto for the 2020–21 season in the form of the [[Toronto Six]].
Relations between the CWHL and the NWHL remained strained in the years after the latter was established. While the NWHL offered salaries, the league was persistently criticized for a lack of professionalism and its approach to growing the women's game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2020 |title=Behind the Game: Former Players Detail Life in the NWHL |url=https://victorypress.org/2020/05/10/behind-the-game-former-players-detail-life-in-the-nwhl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001105936/https://victorypress.org/2020/05/10/behind-the-game-former-players-detail-life-in-the-nwhl/ |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=The Victory Press}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Wharton |first=David |date=2020-03-08 |title=U.S. women's hockey players look for stability in starting their own league |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-03-08/us-womens-ice-hockey-kendall-coyne-schofield |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811131453/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-03-08/us-womens-ice-hockey-kendall-coyne-schofield |archive-date=2022-08-11 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Donna |date=2020-06-11 |title=Professionalism prompts Kristen Richards to choose PWHPA over NWHL |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2020/06/11/professionalism-prompts-kristen-richards-to-choose-pwhpa-over-nwhl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219160748/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2020/06/11/professionalism-prompts-kristen-richards-to-choose-pwhpa-over-nwhl.html |archive-date=2021-02-19 |access-date=2023-01-24 |newspaper=Toronto Star |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref> Over the years there were talks about merging the entities, with some women's hockey leaders emphasizing the need for a unified league and others stating that two or more could coexist.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2018-12-17 |title=NWHL commissioner says merger with CWHL 'is inevitable' |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nwhl-commissioner-says-merger-cwhl-inevitable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324043506/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nwhl-commissioner-says-merger-cwhl-inevitable/ |archive-date=2020-03-24 |access-date=2020-12-13 |website=Sportsnet |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The relationship was further strained by a refusal by the NHL to fully back either entity, and suggesting that it had interest in starting its own women's league from scratch.<ref name=":6" /> As late as January 2019, NWHL commissioner Dani Rylan was pursuing the CWHL about a merger.<ref name=":52" /> On April 2, 2019, just days after the CWHL board announced its decision to dissolve the league, the NWHL announced plans to expand into Canada with franchises in Toronto and Montreal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wawrow |first=John |date=2019-04-02 |title=U.S.-based women's hockey league OKs plan to expand to Canada after CWHL folds |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/04/02/us-based-nwhl-oks-plan-to-expand-to-canada-after-cwhl-folds.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404133354/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/04/02/us-based-nwhl-oks-plan-to-expand-to-canada-after-cwhl-folds.html |archive-date=2019-04-04 |access-date=2019-04-02 |newspaper=Toronto Star |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The [[Toronto Six]] became the league's first Canadian franchise in 2020, and the [[Montreal Force]] were added in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |date=2020-04-22 |title=NWHL adding first Canadian team, in Toronto |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29081851/nwhl-adding-first-canadian-team-toronto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503225123/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29081851/nwhl-adding-first-canadian-team-toronto |archive-date=2020-05-03 |access-date=2020-10-21 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-30 |title=Montreal's new PHF women's hockey franchise will be named the Force |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/montreal-premier-hockey-federation-expansion-franchise-force-1.6566669 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830160741/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/montreal-premier-hockey-federation-expansion-franchise-force-1.6566669 |archive-date=2022-08-30 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=CBC Sports |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref>
 
==Television== coveragePWHPA ====
After the collapse of the CWHL, more than 200 prominent women's players launched a boycott of North American leagues and founded the [[Professional Women's Hockey Players Association]] (PWHPA) to work towards the establishment of a unified, financially stable women's professional league.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKenzie |first=Bob |author-link=Bob McKenzie (broadcaster) |date=2019-05-02 |title=More than 200 players call for overhaul of women's pro hockey |url=https://www.tsn.ca/more-than-200-players-call-for-overhaul-of-women-s-pro-hockey-1.1299658 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116031418/https://www.tsn.ca/more-than-200-players-call-for-overhaul-of-women-s-pro-hockey-1.1299658 |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |access-date=2020-09-30 |work=[[The Sports Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |date=2019-09-20 |title=Sorting out the current landscape of professional women's hockey |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/27643375/sorting-current-landscape-professional-women-hockey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202233445/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/27643375/sorting-current-landscape-professional-women-hockey |archive-date=2022-12-02 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=ESPN}}</ref> The PWHPA itself had a tumultuous relationship with the NWHL—which was rebranded as the [[Premier Hockey Federation]] (PHF) in 2021—rejecting overtures at merging and holding out for the construction of a new league with greater financial backing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larkin |first=Matt |date=2020-06-03 |title=Jayna Hefford Q&A: head of the PWHPA talks future of the women's game, NHL investment and more |url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/jayna-hefford-qa-head-of-the-pwhpa-talks-future-of-the-womens-game-nhl-investment-and-more |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109204345/https://www.si.com/hockey/news/jayna-hefford-qa-head-of-the-pwhpa-talks-future-of-the-womens-game-nhl-investment-and-more |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=The Hockey News |publisher=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> For several years, players with the PWHPA courted corporate, media, and NHL partnerships, and organized a "Dream Gap" tour to showcase top-level women's hockey.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dichter |first=Myles |date=2021-02-10 |title=NHL partnerships bring unified women's league closer to reality, PWHPA's Hefford says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pwhpa-jayna-hefford-nhl-partnerships-1.5908146 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211062243/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pwhpa-jayna-hefford-nhl-partnerships-1.5908146 |archive-date=2021-02-11 |access-date=2024-01-19 |work=CBC Sports}}</ref> In 2022, the PWHPA entered a partnership with [[Mark Walter]] and [[Billie Jean King]], whose business enterprises went on to purchase the PHF in 2023.<ref name="salvian20220524">{{cite news |last1=Salvian |first1=Hailey |date=2022-05-24 |title=PWHPA, Billie Jean King considering new league: Source |url=https://theathletic.com/3490779/2022/05/24/pwhpa-billie-jean-king-enterprises-exploring-starting-womens-hockey-league-source/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630175625/https://theathletic.com/3490779/2022/05/24/pwhpa-billie-jean-king-enterprises-exploring-starting-womens-hockey-league-source/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-30 |work=[[The Athletic]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="phf-sale-espn2">{{cite web |author=Wyshynski |first=Greg |date=2023-06-29 |title=Sources: Premier Hockey Federation sale could unite women's hockey |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37937093/premier-hockey-federation-sale-unite-women-hockey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630015545/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37937093/premier-hockey-federation-sale-unite-women-hockey |archive-date=2023-06-30 |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=ESPN |publisher=}}</ref> The PWHPA then organized a [[Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association|formal union]] and negotiated a collective bargaining agreement as part of the establishment of the [[Professional Women's Hockey League]] (PWHL), which began play in January 2024 with six teams in Canada and the US.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salvian |first=Hailey |date=2023-02-23 |title=PWHPA organize formal union, negotiating CBA with their investor group: Sources |url=https://theathletic.com/4245465/2023/02/23/pwhpa-union-negotiating-cba/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918055010/https://theathletic.com/4245465/2023/02/23/pwhpa-union-negotiating-cba/ |archive-date=2023-09-18 |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=The Athletic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Donkin |first=Karissa |date=2024-01-05 |title=Players beaming as physical play, new rules and historic moments highlight PWHL's 1st week |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-roundup-jan-4-1.7074704 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105232750/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-roundup-jan-4-1.7074704 |archive-date=2024-01-05 |access-date=2024-01-05 |work=CBC Sports}}</ref>
Specialty television channel [[Sportsnet]] aired the playoffs and the All-Star Game from 2014–15 until 2018–19. The most watched game was the February 4, 2017 game between Montreal and Toronto, which averaged 136,400 viewers. This record was surpassed on 24 March 2019, when the [[2019 Clarkson Cup]] Final aired on Sportsnet and over 170,000 people tuned in.<ref name="Discontinue" />
 
==Teams==
[[File:Caroline Ouellette 04.jpg|thumb|Montreal's [[Caroline Ouellette]] with the [[Clarkson Cup]] in 2011.]]
 
=== Final season (2018–19) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ddf; " | Team
! style="background:#ddf; " | City
! style="background:#ddf; " | YearsFounded
! style="background:#ddf; " | Champ{{shy}}ionships
! style="background:#ddf; |" [[Clarkson| Cup]]sNotes
! style="background:#ddf; | Formerly
|-
| [[BurlingtonCalgary BarracudasInferno]] || [[BurlingtonCalgary]], Ontario[[Alberta]] || align="center|" {{nowrap|2007–2012}} 2011 || align="center" | 02 || align=center|Team 0Alberta ||(2011–12); Alberta Honeybadgers (2012–13)
|-
| [[CalgaryMarkham InfernoThunder]] || [[Calgary|CalgaryMarkham, AlbertaOntario]] || align="center" | 2011–20192007 || align="center|" 2 || align=center| 2 || AlbertaBrampton HoneybadgersThunder (2011–121998–2017)
|-
| [[Les Canadiennes de Montréal]] || [[Montreal|Montréal]], [[Quebec]] || align="center" | 2007–20192007 || align="center|" 2 || align=center| 4 || Montréal Stars (2007–2015)
|-
| [[MarkhamShenzhen ThunderKRS Vanke Rays]] || [[MarkhamShenzhen]], Ontario[[Guangdong]] || align="center" | 2007–20192017 || align="center" | 10 || align=center|Merger 1of ||Kunlun Red Star WIH (2017–18) & BramptonVanke ThunderRays (1998–20172017–18)
|-
| [[MississaugaToronto ChiefsFuries]] || [[MississaugaToronto]], [[Ontario]] || align="center" | 2007–20102010 || align="center" | 01 || align=center|Toronto 0CWHL ||team (2010–11)
|-
| [[OttawaWorcester Senators (CWHL)|Ottawa SenatorsBlades]] || [[Ottawa|OttawaWorcester, OntarioMassachusetts]] || align="center" | 2007–20102010 || align="center|" 0 || align=center| 02 || CWHLBoston CapitalBlades Canucks(2010–2018)
|-
| [[Quebec Phenix|Phénix du Québec]] || [[Montréal, Québec]] || align=center| 2007–2008 || align=center| 0 || align=center| 0 ||
|-
| [[Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays]] || [[Shenzhen|Shenzhen, China]] || align=center| 2017–2019 || align=center| 0 || align=center| 0 || Kunlun Red Star WIH (2017–18)
|-
| [[Toronto Furies]] || [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]] || align=center| 2010–2019 || align=center| 1 || align=center| 1 || Toronto CWHL team (2010–11)
|-
|[[Vanke Rays]] || [[Shenzhen|Shenzhen, China]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Murphy |url=https://twitter.com/DigDeepBSB/status/889911341506592775 |title=Mike Murphy on Twitter: 'It looks like the 2nd Chinese team in the CWHL is the "Vanke Rays", also located in Shenzen, China. Logo here. s/t to @fosterwrites' |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2017-07-25 |access-date=2018-01-13}}</ref> || align=center| 2017–2018 || align=center| 0 || align=center| 0 || Merged into Kunlun Red Star WIH
|-
| [[Vaughan Flames]] || [[Vaughan, Ontario]] || align=center| 2007–2010 || align=center| 0 || align=center| 0 ||
|-
| [[Worcester Blades]] || [[Worcester, Massachusetts]] || align=center| 2010–2019 || align=center| 2 || align=center| 2 || Boston Blades (2010–2018)
|}
 
=== Former teams ===
==Championships==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ddf; " | Team
! Season || Champion || Points leader (team) || Points leader (player)
! style="background:#ddf; " | City
! style="background:#ddf; " | Years active
|-
| [[Burlington Barracudas]] || [[Burlington, Ontario]] || align="center" | {{nowrap|2007–2012}}
| [[2007–08 CWHL season|2007–08]] || [[Brampton Thunder]] || [[Montreal Stars]] (47) || [[Jennifer Botterill]] (61)
|-
| [[Mississauga Chiefs]] || [[Mississauga]], Ontario || align="center" | 2007–2010
| [[2008–09 CWHL season|2008–09]] || [[Montreal Stars]] || [[Montreal Stars]] (49) || [[Jayna Hefford]] (69)
|-
| [[Ottawa Senators (CWHL)|Ottawa Senators]] || [[Ottawa]], Ontario || align="center" | 2007–2010
| [[2009–10 CWHL season|2009–10]] || [[Minnesota Whitecaps]] || [[Montreal Stars]] (48) || [[Sabrina Harbec]] (55)
|-
| [[Quebec Phenix|Phénix du Québec]] || Montréal, Québec || align="center" | 2007–2008
| [[2010–11 CWHL season|2010–11]] || [[Montreal Stars]] || [[Montreal Stars]] (46) || [[Caroline Ouellette]] (69)
|-
|[[Vanke Rays]] || Shenzhen, Guangdong || align="center" | 2017–2018
| [[2011–12 CWHL season|2011–12]] || [[Montreal Stars]] || [[Montreal Stars]] (51) || [[Meghan Agosta]] (80)
|-
| [[Vaughan Flames]] || [[Vaughan]], Ontario || align="center" | 2007–2010
| [[2012–13 CWHL season|2012–13]] || [[Boston Blades]] || [[Boston Blades]] (39) || [[Meghan Agosta-Marciano]] (46)
|-}
 
| [[2013–14 CWHL season|2013–14]] || [[Toronto Furies]] || [[Montreal Stars]] (42) || [[Ann-Sophie Bettez]] (40)
==Championships==
|-
Numbers in parentheses denotes number of titles won to that point.
| [[2014–15 CWHL season|2014–15]] || [[Boston Blades]] || [[Boston Blades]] (35) || [[Rebecca Johnston]] (37)
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#ddf;"
| [[2015–16 CWHL season|2015–16]] || [[Calgary Inferno]] || [[Les Canadiennes]] (42) || [[Marie-Philip Poulin]] (46)
! style="text-align:center; background:#ddf;" |Season !! style="text-align:center; background:#ddf;" |Playoff champion!! style="text-align:center; background:#ddf;" |Regular season title!! style="text-align:center; background:#ddf;" |Scoring champion
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2016–17 CWHL season|2016–17]] || [[Les Canadiennes]] || [[Calgary Inferno]] (40) || [[Jess Jones]] (37)<br>[[Marie-Philip Poulin]] (37)
| [[2007–08 CWHL season|2007–08]] || [[Brampton Thunder]] || [[Montreal Stars]]|| [[Jennifer Botterill]]
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2017–18 CWHL season|2017–18]] || [[Markham Thunder]] || [[Les Canadiennes]] (45) || [[Kelli Stack]] (49)
| [[2008–09 CWHL season|2008–09]] || Montreal Stars || Montreal Stars <small>(2)</small> || [[Jayna Hefford]]
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2018–19 CWHL season|2018–19]] || [[Calgary Inferno]] || [[Calgary Inferno]] (47) || [[Marie-Philip Poulin]] (50)
| [[2009–10 CWHL season|2009–10]] || [[Minnesota Whitecaps]]{{ref label|WWHL|a|a}} || Montreal Stars <small>(3)</small> || [[Sabrina Harbec]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2010–11 CWHL season|2010–11]] || Montreal Stars <small>(2)</small> || Montreal Stars <small>(4)</small> || [[Caroline Ouellette]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2011–12 CWHL season|2011–12]] || Montreal Stars <small>(3)</small> || Montreal Stars <small>(5)</small> || [[Meghan Agosta]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2012–13 CWHL season|2012–13]] || [[Boston Blades]] || Boston Blades || Meghan Agosta-Marciano <small>(2)</small>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2013–14 CWHL season|2013–14]] || [[Toronto Furies]] || Montreal Stars <small>(6)</small> || [[Ann-Sophie Bettez]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2014–15 CWHL season|2014–15]] || Boston Blades <small>(2)</small> || Boston Blades <small>(2)</small> || [[Rebecca Johnston]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2015–16 CWHL season|2015–16]] || [[Calgary Inferno]] || Les Canadiennes <small>(7)</small> || [[Marie-Philip Poulin]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2016–17 CWHL season|2016–17]] || Les Canadiennes <small>(4)</small> || Calgary Inferno || [[Jess Jones]] & Marie-Philip Poulin <small>(2)</small>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2017–18 CWHL season|2017–18]] || Markham Thunder <small>(2)</small> || Les Canadiennes <small>(8)</small> || [[Kelli Stack]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2018–19 CWHL season|2018–19]] || Calgary Inferno <small>(2)</small> || Calgary Inferno <small>(2)</small> || Marie-Philip Poulin <small>(3)</small>
|}
===Notes===
{{note label|MLAs|a|a}} In 2009 and 2010, the [[Clarkson Cup]] was awarded in a playoff between teams from the CWHL and the [[Western Women's Hockey League|WWHL]]; Minnesota was the 2010 WWHL champion and defeated Brampton in the [[2010 Clarkson Cup]] finals.
 
==Drafts==
The [[2010 CWHL Draft|first league draft]] was held on August 12, 2010, at the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in [[Toronto]]. In the [[2010 CWHL Draft]],; Olympic gold medallistmedalist [[Tessa Bonhomme]] was the first overall selection.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tmlfans.ca/blogs/3486-inside-the-cwhl-inaugural-draft-makes-womens-hockey-history | title = Inside the CWHL: Inaugural draft makes women's hockey history | website = TMLfans.ca | date = August 14, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110103212200/http://www.tmlfans.ca/blogs/3486-inside-the-cwhl-inaugural-draft-makes-womens-hockey-history | archive-date = January 3, 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
 
===First overall picks===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:black; color:orange#ddf;"
| '''Draft year''' || '''Player'''||'''Team'''||'''College'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2010 CWHL Draft|2010]] || [[Tessa Bonhomme]] || [[Toronto AerosFuries]] || [[Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey|Ohio State Buckeyes]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2011 CWHL Draft|2011]] || [[Meghan Agosta]] || [[Montreal Stars]] || [[Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey|Mercyhurst Lakers]]
Line 134 ⟶ 157:
| [[2012 CWHL Draft|2012]] || [[Hillary Pattenden]] || [[Calgary Inferno|Alberta Honeybadgers]] || Mercyhurst Lakers
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2013 CWHL Draft|2013]] || [[Jessica Wong]] || AlbertaCalgary HoneybadgersInferno || [[Minnesota–DuluthMinnesota Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey|Minnesota–DuluthMinnesota Duluth Bulldogs]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2014 CWHL Draft|2014]] || [[Laura Fortino]] || [[Brampton CWHL|Brampton Thunder]] || [[Cornell Big Red women's ice hockey|Cornell Big Red]]
Line 144 ⟶ 167:
| [[2017 CWHL Draft|2017]] || [[Courtney Turner]] || Boston Blades || [[Union Dutchwomen ice hockey|Union College Dutchwomen]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2018 CWHL Draft|2018]] || [[Lauren Williams (ice hockey)|Lauren Williams]] || [[Worcester Blades]] || [[Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey]]
|}
 
==All-time leaderboard==
===All-time leading scorers (2007–08 to 2018–19)===
The annual CWHL scoring champion was awarded the [[Angela James Bowl]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=CWHL (W) Stats—All-time totals |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/cwhl-w/stats/all-time/total |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119131323/https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/cwhl-w/stats/all-time/total |archive-date=2023-11-19 |accessdate=2023-11-19 |website=Elite Prospects}}</ref> In [[2011–12 CWHL season|2011–12]], rookie [[Meghan Agosta]] set a CWHL single-season record with 80 points.<ref name=":8">{{cite book |last=Scott |first=Richard |url=http://hockeymedia.ca/wHockey_Review_2013_byhockeyMedia.pdf |title=Women's Hockey Review |publisher=Up North Productions |isbn=9780991867158 |access-date=2013-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106032255/http://www.hockeymedia.ca/wHockey_Review_2013_byhockeyMedia.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The annual CWHL scoring champion wins the [[Angela James Bowl]]. In 2011–12, rookie [[Meghan Agosta]] set a CWHL single-season record with 80 points.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#af1e2d; color:#ffc61eddf;"
| '''Player''' || '''TeamsTeam(s)''' || '''Games''' || '''Goals''' || '''Assists''' || '''Points'''
|'''PPG'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Caroline Ouellette]] || Montréal[[Montreal Stars]]|| 202 || 143 || 203 || 346
|1.71
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Ann-Sophie Bettez]] || MontréalMontreal Stars || 189 || 127 || 152 || 279
|1.47
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Jayna Hefford]] || [[Brampton Thunder]]|| 145 || 134 || 113 || 247
|1.70
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Marie-Philip Poulin]] || MontréalMontreal Stars || 98 || 93 || 103 || 196
|2.00
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Noémie Marin|Noemie Marin]] || MontréalMontreal Stars || 172 || 91 || 86 || 177
|1.03
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Jennifer Botterill]] || [[Mississauga Chiefs]], [[Toronto Furies]]|| 87 || 68 || 98 || 166
|1.91
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Emmanuelle Blais]] || MontréalMontreal Stars || 210 || 60 || 95 || 155
|0.74
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Gillian Apps]] || Brampton Thunder || 142 || 80 ||68 || 148
|1.04
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Rebecca Johnston]] || [[Calgary Inferno]]|| 111 || 59 || 84 || 143
|1.29
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Meghan Agosta]] || MontréalMontreal Stars || 58 || 62 || 73 || 135
|2.34
|}
 
<ref>{{cite book |url=http://hockeymedia.ca/wHockey_Review_2013_byhockeyMedia.pdf |title=Women's Hockey Review |publisher=Up North Productions |first=Richard |last=Scott |isbn=9780991867158 |access-date=2013-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106032255/http://www.hockeymedia.ca/wHockey_Review_2013_byhockeyMedia.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{,}}<ref>https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/cwhl-%28w%29/stats/all-time/total?sort=tp</ref>
 
===All-time leaders in shutouts (2007–08 to 2014–15)===
Kim St-Pierre (2008–09) and Sami Jo Small (2009–10) hold the single-season record with five shutouts.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />
{{Update|section|missing 2015–16 to 2018–19|date=March 2019}}
Most shutouts during the CWHL regular season. Kim St-Pierre (2008–09) and Sami Jo Small (2009–10) hold the single-season record with five shutouts.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#af1e2d; color:#ffc61eddf;"
| '''Player''' || '''Team(s)''' || '''Shutouts'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Sami Jo Small]] || [[Mississauga Chiefs]], [[Toronto Furies]]|| 1516
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jenny[[Charline LavigneLabonté]] || Montréal[[Montreal Stars]]|| 813
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[KimEmerance St-PierreMaschmeyer]] || [[Calgary Inferno]], Les Canadiennes de Montréal || 812
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Kim St-Pierre]]|| Montreal Stars|| 9
| Mandy Cronin || Brampton, Burlington, Boston || 6
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Erica Howe]] || [[Brampton Thunder]]|| 9
|}
 
==Television coverage==
==NCAA exhibition==
[[Sportsnet]] aired the CWHL playoffs and the league's All-Star Game from 2014–15 through 2018–19. The most watched game was the [[2019 Clarkson Cup]] Final on March 24, 2019, with 175,000 viewers.<ref name="Discontinue">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-31 |title=The Canadian Women's Hockey League to Discontinue Operations |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/the-canadian-womens-hockey-league-to-discontinue-operations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502221143/http://www.thecwhl.com/the-canadian-womens-hockey-league-to-discontinue-operations |archive-date=2019-05-02 |access-date=2019-03-31 |website=Canadian Women's Hockey League |language=en-US}}</ref> Sportsnet was ultimately criticized for its limited coverage, broadcasting just three games per season, and its lack of licensing fees paid to the league, a problem common to women's sports.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=M. Ann |date=2019-04-03 |title=Women's sport needs time to carve out a niche. The CWHL didn't get a fair shot |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-womens-sport-needs-time-carve-out-a-niche-the-cwhl-didnt-get-the/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404052303/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-womens-sport-needs-time-carve-out-a-niche-the-cwhl-didnt-get-the/ |archive-date=2019-04-04 |access-date=2020-12-20 |work=The Globe and Mail |type=Op-ed}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#fff;"
| '''Date''' || '''CWHL team'''|| '''NCAA school''' ||'''Score''' || '''CWHL goal scorers'''
|- style="text-align:center; background:pink;"
|Oct. 25, 2011||Brampton Thunder||[[Cornell Big Red women's ice hockey]] || Cornell, 6–0<ref>{{cite web |url= http://cornellbigred.com/documents/2011/10/14/final_stats.pdf |title= Hockey Game Box Score, Brampton vs. Cornell University |website= CornellBigRed.com |date= 14 October 2011}}</ref>||None
|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"
|Nov. 2, 2011||Brampton Thunder||[[Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey]] || Brampton, 3–1||[[Jayna Hefford]], [[Jesse Scanzano]], [[Vicki Bendus]]<ref name="hurstathletics">{{cite web|url=http://hurstathletics.com/news/2011/11/2/WHOCK_1102113238.aspx?path=whockeyx |title=Mercyhurst Athletics – Women's Hockey Falls Short As Bendus And Scanzano Return |publisher=Hurstathletics.com |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=2014-07-18}}</ref>
|}
* On November 2, 2011, Scanzano was on loan from the [[Toronto Furies]], as she appeared in one game for the [[Brampton Thunder]]. The game was an exhibition contest versus her alma mater, the Mercyhurst Lakers.<ref name="hurstathletics"/> In the second period of said contest, Scanzano scored the game-winning goal as the Thunder defeated the Lakers by a 3–1 tally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hurstathletics.com/documents/2011/11/2/mc-bram.htm?id=990 |title=Brampton Thunder vs Mercyhurst College (Nov 02, 2011) |publisher=Hurstathletics.com |date=2011-11-02 |access-date=2014-07-18}}</ref>
 
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
*
 
==External links==
 
===News stories===
* [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2007/09/27/hockey-womensleague.html Canadian Women's Hockey League launches] CBCsports, September 27, 2007
* [http://www.eyeweekly.com/blog/post/83924--the-case-for-a-women-s-professional-hockey-league Rob Duffy, The case for a women's professional hockey league]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in Eyeweekly.com, February 22, 2010.
* [https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Women-s-hockey-league-eyes-partnering-with-NHL?urn=oly-224370 Neate Sager, Women's hockey league eyes partnering with NHL] February 26, 2010.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100918061619/http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=20459 Meg Hewings, Women's pro league could help grow hockey] in Hour.ca, September 16, 2010.
* [https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Women+hockey+need+more+promotion+sponsors/4492808/story.html Stephanie Myles, Women's hockey in need of more promotion, sponsors]{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in Calgary Herald, March 23, 2011.
 
{{Canadian Women's Hockey League}}
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