The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

As professional women’s hockey experienced its first season since 2010-11 (dating back to the CWHL and the now-defunct WWHL) which saw two championships contested, the result was an exceptional number of historic firsts. Adding to the sense of history was the fact that there were many unique coincidences and connections, contributing to a new chapter of six degrees of separation in women’s hockey. The inaugural Isobel Cup was contested in Newark , New Jersey , home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and captured by the NWHL’s Boston Pride. With the win, Boston became the first women’s hockey city to capture women’s hockey titles in two separate leagues. The Blades captured the CWHL’s Clarkson Cup in 2013 and 2015, while the Pride became the NWHL’s first-ever champions. Although the Pride enjoyed the jubilation of being crowned as champions, it was an event noted by compassion as the squad dedicated their Cup victory to Denna Laing, who suffered a career-ending injury at the inau...

Ending the month of January with their “Pink at the Rink” fundraiser, Les Canadiennes de Montreal provided the fans with a true win-win situation. Not only were the pink game-worn jerseys auctioned off for breast cancer research, providing fans with a remarkable treasure, the home team prevailed by a 5-2 tally against the first-place Calgary Inferno. Continuing a proud tradition that began when the club was known as the Montreal Stars, the franchise has become remarkable hockey humanitarians in this noble cause. Taking into account that club founder Lisa-Marie Breton-Lebreux (currently part of Montreal’s coaching staff) and Caroline Ouellette have seen cherished family members survive the disease, their hearts are filled with compassion on what has evolved into the most popular event during the season.   After a scoreless first period which saw Montreal outshot the visiting team by a 9-4 margin while successfully kill a pair of penalties, Ouellette would factor in the scori...

Quite possibly the most underrated superstar in the game today, Rebecca Johnston had a season to remember with the Calgary Inferno. Her acquisition not only signaled a commitment on the part of the Inferno to significantly upgrade their offensive attack, it reunited her with the likes of Bailey Bram and Haley Irwin, who contributed to Canada’s gold medal win at the 2012 IIHF Women’s World Championships. A record-breaking season with the Inferno not only solidified Johnston’s status as a franchise player in the CWHL, her league-best 37 points made her the finest free-agent signing of the off-season. Not only did she set new franchise scoring records, it set the tone for the finest season in Inferno history. Of note, the club set a new record for most wins in one season, while finishing just two points out of first overall. For her efforts, Johnston was recognized with the CWHL’s Most Outstanding Player Award, beating out fellow nominees such as Toronto’s Natalie Spooner and Bo...

Although a silver medal was not how Sarah Davis envisioned the outcome of her first participation in the IIHF Women’s Worlds, a golden moment provided her with a redeeming and highly satisfying personal milestone. While she made national news as the first competitor from Newfoundland to participate on Canada’s national women’s hockey team, the native of Paradise, Newfoundland now has a new accolade to complement her athletic achievements. Recognized in a local ceremony, a street in Paradise proudly carries the new name of Sarah Davis Way. Joined by friends, family and fans alike, all eager to share in her jubilation. Humbled yet honored, Davis recognized many who helped her along the way, especially her parents. Of note, some of her first hockey experiences involved skating on a backyard rink constructed by her father. A handful of political officials were also present, including Mayor Dan Bobbett, Member of Parliament Jack Harris and Transportation Minister, David Brazil. ...

The feeling of optimism that opens the Calgary Inferno’s fourth season is defined by an energetic and exciting offense that evaded the club for several seasons. Off-season trades for Haley Irwin and Bailey Bram were complemented by the free agent signing of Rebecca Johnston. Considering that Irwin and Johnston each won their second Winter Games gold medals at Sochi 2014, it supplies Calgary with two of its most accomplished players on offense. Complemented by Bram, the first woman from Manitoba to compete on Canada’s U18, U22 and Senior Teams (she won gold at the 2012 IIHF Women’s Worlds), it composes a titanic trio that transform the franchise into Clarkson Cup contenders. Coincidentally, all three of them were selected in the landmark 2012 CWHL Draft, which would lay the foundation for a new generation of CWHL superstars. Irwin and Bram were selected by the Brampton Thunder, although Irwin would end up playing for the Montreal Stars, while Johnston was drafted by the Toronto...

As the Brampton Thunder rebuild, hoping to recapture the glories of season’s past, an impressive rookie crop forms the foundation. Led by Sochi gold medalist Laura Fortino (the first overall pick in the 2014 CWHL Draft) along with 2014 Patty Kazmaier Award winner Jamie Lee Rattray at forward, a patient fan base sees only good things ahead. Such an example was evident during the Thunder’s season opener. Facing off against the Calgary Inferno, who made significant offseason upgrades to their offense, the host team Thunder put up a valiant fight. Standing between the pipes was rookie backstop Erica Howe. Having grown up in the Ottawa area with Rattray, the two have been teammates at the PWHL, IIHF and NCAA levels, winning the NCAA Frozen Four title in 2014. While the Inferno’s offense overwhelmed Brampton, prevailing by a 5-2 score, the rookie crop never gave up. Howe only gave up one goal in the first period (Jenna Cunningham at 9:02) while stifling four power play attempts by t...

At the beginning of the 2013-14 season, the Calgary Inferno faced a significant loss of leadership. Considering that Jocelyne Larocque, Meaghan Mikkelson and Tara Watchorn were part of Canada’s centralization camp (in anticipation of the Sochi Winter Games); the impact was compounded by the retirement of former captain Bobbi-Jo Slusar. Heading to Western Canada to pursue her Master’s Degree, the arrival of Karolina Urban could not have happened at a better time. Considering that Urban is articulate, very coachable and brings a team-first mentality, she would prove to be an essential component for a squad pursuing its first-ever postseason berth. While the Inferno still featured reliable veterans such as Laura Dostaler, Chelsea Purcell and Kelsey Webster, Urban helped to relieve the burden of leadership from their shoulders. On a team that consisted of close to a dozen rookies, Urban’s experiences in the game helped provide a presence. During the 2012-13 campaign, Urban was...

With a playoff spot in sight, the red-hot Calgary Inferno are heading into their weekend series with the first-place Montreal Stars hoping to build on their momentum. No longer a last-place team, the chance to play for Lady Clarkson’s coveted Cup has strengthened morale and increased confidence. Adding to their motivation is the fact that several franchise scoring records could soon fall. From the outset, Jenna Cunningham has tied Sam Hunt’s franchise record for most points in one season with 14. Cunningham also has the opportunity to surpass her own franchise record for most goals scored in one season. Having scored 10 goals in the 2010-11 inaugural season, which is also a franchise rookie record, Cunningham enters the Montreal series with eight goals. With three games against Montreal, the chance to register three goals and set a new mark is feasible. Heading into the weekend series, Cunningham sits sixth in the CWHL scoring race. On pace to be the first player in the history of...

As the Calgary Inferno continue to push towards qualifying for their first-ever Clarkson Cup, a key component is succeeding on the road. A weekend road swamp of the beleaguered Brampton Thunder is helping to make that postseason dream a reality. Since the arrival of 2013 first-overall pick Jessica Wong last weekend, an air of confidence has surrounded the squad. Fittingly, Wong would get things started in the January 18 contest at Brampton’s Cassie Campbell Centre. At the 7:09 mark, she would put the biscuit in the basket against workhorse backstop Sonja van der Biek for the 1-0 advantage. Rookie sensation Julie Paetsch would assist on Jenna Cunningham’s power play marker at the 12:43 mark to extend their lead over the home team. Special teams played a huge part in the successful first frame for Calgary. Cunningham’s goal was scored on the only power play opportunity for Calgary in the period. Despite Brampton enjoying three power play opportunities, DeLayne Brian nullified th...

With parity being the theme of the 2013-14 CWHL season, the Toronto Furies and Calgary Inferno are looking to reach unprecedented heights. Of note, the Furies are looking to return to their first Clarkson Cup final since 2011 while the Inferno are looking for their first postseason berth. Riding strong momentum courtesy of NHL sponsorship, the November 9 tilt at the MasterCard Centre showed some of the most promising stars gracing the frozen perimeter. It would only take 80 seconds for the first goal to be scored. Alyssa Baldin, the only 2013 CWHL Draft Pick to have played in both NCAA Division I and CIS hockey would open the scoring with an unassisted marker. While the goal represented a significant milestone in her career as it was her first in CWHL play, there were two other factors that made it more special. Considering it was scored in  her CWHL debut, Baldin’s goal would also signify the first scored of the season by any Furies player. A power play opportunity would ...