The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

As the Brampton Thunder hosted the Toronto Furies, the contest featured a pleasant tone of coincidence, enhanced by the loving presence of a devoted hockey mom. The result was one of the most heartwarming, feel-good stories of the 2015-16 women’s hockey season. Having spent several seasons between the pipes for the Brampton Thunder, Sonja van der Bliek was part of a rare trade, sent to the crosstown Toronto Furies on November 18, 2005 in exchange for a late round 2016 draft pick. With goaltender (and CWHL co-founder) Sami Jo Small on maternity leave, she brings the experience to contribute to the squad’s hopes of qualifying for the postseason. As a side note, the only other trade to take place in the 2015-16 season also involved goaltenders. The New York Riveters and Connecticut Whale exchanged back up goaltenders as Chelsea Laden joins New York, and Shenae Lundberg occupies a new role as the backup to Whale starter Jaimie Leonoff. In an early January 2016 m...

After logging just three points in the month of October and four during November, Natalie Spooner regained her smooth scoring touch in December with a 12-point output that roared her into the scoring race. Currently, her 21 points trails leading scorer Marie-Philip Poulin of Les Canadiennes de Montreal by just one point in the race for the Angela James Bowl, as Spooner attempts to become the first Furies player ever to capture the prestigious honor. In addition, her 15 goals lead all skaters in CWHL play. Surprisingly, not one is a game-winning tally. Complementing her league-best 15 goals, she is also the leader in power play goals with five. Among her Furies teammates, she is seven points up on the team’s second leading scorer, alternate captain Alyssa Baldin. Heading into holiday break, Spooner assembled a masterful five-game scoring streak (Nov 29-Dec 20) which saw the Furies capture three victories. Scoring a league-best 10 goals during this stretch, her remarkable acco...

In an accomplished career, Sami Jo Small has experienced many remarkable moments. Whether it was standing between the pipes in international play for Canada or guarding the crease for the Toronto Furies, a team she helped to form, Small’s legacy is significant. None may be as cherished as an arena in her hometown named in her honor.   Preserving her legacy, the dedication of the Sami Jo Small Hockey Facility at the Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre is a unique tribute, while giving younger players in the community a role model to emulate. Such an honor adds to the momentum of the revitalization of the St. Vital community centre, as the soon-to-be refurbished hockey rink and north wing of the centre shall bear Small’s name. Joining Small at the dedication ceremony included the likes of Sean Fedorowich, president of Norberry-Glenlee, and dignitaries such as Councillor Brian Mayes, St. Vital, and Christine Melnick, MLA, Riel. The community of St. Vital, Manitoba helped ...

In a time when the women's game is working towards finding methods to establish a living wage, another factor deserving of consideration is jobs for women in hockey. As Erika Vanderveer plans the next stages of her professional career, her time at The Hockey News represented the potential for female hockey players to obtain good careers in hockey. Working as the Art Director for the last three years (and another three as a Designer), Vanderveer admirably balanced her employment with the popular periodical while standing between the pipes for numerous clubs at the CWHL level. During her playing career, she held the rare distinction of having played for three different CWHL teams in the Greater Toronto Area (of note, she stood between the pipes for the Brampton Thunder, Burlington Barracudas and Toronto Furies). In addition, she was also a member of the Boston Blades during their inaugural season. Quite possibly the greatest milestone in her career at The Hockey News was the op...

On a day when the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies hosted its annual Women's Hockey Day event, a unique storyline was developing. Following the abrupt announcement that the Hamilton Bulldogs were relocating to St John's, Newfoundland, the rivalry would reach its apex with the Furies hosting their rivals down the QEW one final time at Ricoh Coliseum. As one tradition was ending, another would continue as four members of the Toronto Furies were recognized during the Marlies' annual Women’s Hockey Day event. Taking centre ice for the ceremonial faceoff, Kori Cheverie, Sami Jo Small, Holly Carrie-Mattimoe and rookie Laurel Hill were not only on-hand for an historic game but an opportunity to greet fans, sign autographs and help bring awareness to a growing brand of outstanding hockey. This year, the event had strong momentum as it had been promoted simultaneously with the CWHL's historic All-Star Game, which took place at Air Canada Centre in December ...

For the crowd pouring into Waterloo’s RIM Center, it must have been a surprise for the CWHL’s hardcore fans to see Tara French wearing an opposing team’s sweater. A reliable and steady blueliner for the Brampton Thunder, Tara French now has a new home with the Toronto Furies. Exchanged for rookie blueliners Leah Whittaker and Candice Styles, it must have been a visceral experience for French to wear the colors of a Furies team she has only known as a rival. Suiting up for the Furies as the Brampton Thunder challenged them in a neutral site game; the Furies would emerge with a hard fought 2-1 victory in the shootout. On the surface, it would appear to be a win-win trade for both sides. Styles and Whittaker, selected 17th and 27th overall in the 2014 CWHL Draft are a pair of talented blueliners with plenty of potential. Raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Whittaker competed at the NCAA level with the now-defunct Niagara Purple Eagles program. A stay at home defender, her presence shou...

While the obligations of the real world place many women’s hockey players into a difficult crossroads, Mallory Deluce has engaged in a labor of love. Although her playing career saw her reach great heights with gold medals for Team Ontario and the Under-22 Canadian Team, an NCAA Frozen Four title, complemented by a stint with the Toronto Furies, Deluce is reaching even bigger heights as an airlines pilot. Many women’s hockey players have the game in her blood, with previous generations having played. In Deluce’s case, it was flying that was in her blood as her father and brother both work as commercial pilots. Currently a First Officer of the Air Georgian team, which flies routes for Air Canada, she is also a spokesperson for Air Georgian’s Cadets Program. In between winning the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four and being selected by the Toronto Furies in the second-ever CWHL Draft, Deluce earned her private license at the St. Thomas Flight Centre in southwestern Ontario. For her instrume...

Having won the Clarkson Cup for the first time in franchise history, it has only increased the importance of the role of the Toronto Furies as outstanding hockey humanitarians. From participating in the Furious Hockey Tournament (hosted by Deirdre Norman) to the Toronto Pride Parade, the Furies have proven to be remarkable ambassadors for women’s hockey in Canada’s largest metropolis. Once news spread about the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Ice Bucket Challenge, it did not take long for videos to appear on social media featuring numerous Furies players proudly participating. Having become a pop culture phenomenon during the summer of 2014, the objective is to promote awareness of the disease while raising proceeds towards research. While the origins are unclear (Sports Illustrated acknowledged former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates as the one who helped make it popular), the on-air personalities from Golf Channel’s Morning Drive participated in a live challenge...

For the Toronto Furies and the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, the 2014 edition of the Clarkson Cup was filled with drama, excitement and another exciting chapter in the lore of the event. The donnybrook between the Boston Blades and the Toronto Furies resulted in an outcome that provided numerous historic firsts. With Britni Smith having buried the puck past Blades goaltender Brittany Ott just 33 seconds into overtime, it marked the first Clarkson Cup to go into an overtime period. Becoming the first-ever team with a fourth-place regular season finish to hoist the coveted Cup was complemented by the fact that the Furies were the first championship squad with a .500 regular season record. The road to the Clarkson Cup began with a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Inferno, who were making their postseason debut in 2014.   Toronto   battled back from a 1-0 deficit to prevail by a 3-2 tally. Two-point performances by Meagan Aarts, Tessa Bonhomme and Natalie Spooner helped con...

As Saturday January 25, 2014 signified Women’s Hockey Day, the Toronto Marlies helped participate in the celebrations. Having invited three Toronto Furies players to take part in the ceremonial face-off at their home ice at Ricoh Coliseum, it was a special way of recognizing the growing impact that women’s hockey has in the Greater Toronto Area. Prior to the contest against the Wolves, second-year player Jordanna Peroff was joined by rookie Holly Carrie-Mattimoe and Furies veteran Martine Garland for the face-off. Joining them at centre ice included Marlies skater Sam Carrick and Keith Aucoin of the Chicago Wolves. Considering that the Marlies’ parent club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, is a sponsor of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, it is rewarding to see the Furies being integrated into one of the most prestigious hockey circles in Canada. Last season, the Furies participated in a regular season game at Air Canada Centre, and fans can only hope that the ACC shall stage anot...

Selected in the fifth round of the 2013 CWHL Draft, Alyssa Baldin is not only one of the draft’s sleeper picks, she is building a strong case as Rookie of the Year. For the week of February 2, Baldin was not only in the Top 10 for the CWHL scoring race, she was third overall in scoring among CWHL rookies, trailing Boston’s Jillian Dempsey and Calgary’s Danielle Stone. Of note, her nine assists tie Dempsey and Blake Bolden for the lead among rookies. In a season that saw the Furies miss the likes of Rebecca Johnston, Natalie Spooner and Jenn Wakefield due to Sochi 2014, questions surrounded the club’s ability to score. With her presence, Baldin has emerged as a perfect fit for the blue and white. As a former captain with the Windsor Lancers of the CIS, she brings a tremendous maturity to a squad looking to return to their first Clarkson Cup finals since 2011. Having grown up idolizing Jayna Hefford, there is no question that she emulates her love of the game and smooth scorin...

After helping Canada to a gold medal effort at the 2013 Four Nations Cup, Jenelle Kohanchuk was one of the first wave of players that were released from Canada ’s Centralization Camp. Despite the heartbreak, Kohanchuk has bounced back with the Toronto Furies. On a squad that must still cope with the loss of Rebecca Johnston, Natalie Spooner and Jennifer Wakefield, Kohanchuk has provided an injection of leadership for the blue and white. In addition to her experience with the Canadian National Team (which has also included a gold medal at the Meco Cup), she has accumulated 138 career points with the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA. During her tenure with the Terriers, some of her teammates included Wakefield and other Canadian national players such as Marie-Philip Poulin and Catherine White. In her final season with the Terriers, she not only helped the club to a Hockey East title, but she scored a goal in the NCAA Frozen Four title game against Minnesota . Makin...

Although the release of Tessa Bonhomme from Canada’s centralization camp was nothing short of heartbreaking, there is no denying her perseverance and sense of teamwork. In the midst of such a difficult time, Bonhomme made a heroic return with the Toronto Furies. While it would have been easy to wallow in self-pity or complain to the media, Bonhomme has proven why she is a role model to millions of young girls. Going to social media to thank her fans for their support, she has handled the setback with an element of grace and dignity. Despite suffering a crushed nerve on October 1, along with a reported case of shingles, she always took to the ice, giving her team a chance to win. Tragically, the embarrassment of riches for Canada’s national women’s team has resulted in controversial or sad moves before nearly every Winter Games. Angela James was released before the 1998 Nagano Winter Games and her release likely cost Canada the gold medal. Overtime hero Nancy Drolet suffered th...

A November 23 tilt with the Brampton Thunder was more than just another chapter in The Battle of Toronto. It would mark the first pair of goals that free agent pickup Carolyne Prevost would log with the Toronto Furies. Having found her scoring touch in the 4-2 win over the Thunder, it should foreshadow many more sterling scoring performances this season. After Tara French scored on the power play in the first period, the Furies faced a 1-0 deficit after one period of play. Less than 38 seconds into the second period, Prevost would change the momentum of the game with her first goal as a Furies competitor. A power play marker tied the score, with assists going to Furies captain Kori Cheverie and second-overall 2013 CWHL Draft pick Katie Wilson. Of note, it was Wilson’s first career CWHL point.  The 8:11 mark of the second would find Prevost providing the blue and white with their first lead of the game. Michelle Bonello (who is making her CWHL comeback) earned the assist...

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 ...