The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

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 ...

A Good Friday game featuring the St. Louis Blues served as an outstanding opportunity   for Jaden Schwartz to provide one of the greatest performances of his proud career. The younger brother of the late Mandi Schwartz, a former skater for the Yale Bulldogs who passed away from acute myeloid leukemia, he continues to honor her life. Of note, Jaden’s second career hat trick proved to be a key factor in the Blues enjoying a 7-5 victory over the rival Dallas Stars. This was made even more special by the fact that he accomplished this on the four-year anniversary of Mandi’s sad passing. Another aspect that enhanced the accomplishment was attributed to Jaden’s jersey featuring his sister’s favorite number; 17. Through the efforts of Mandi’s teammate at Yale, captain Aleca Hughes, thousands of volunteers signed up to become possible bone marrow donors, in the hopes of saving her life. As a side note, Hughes would capture the 2012 Hockey Humanitarian Award, as well as Yale’s first-e...

During the offseason, many CWHL clubs held surveys, asking their fans which types of merchandising they would like to possibly purchase. Among the offerings that fans showed strong response to, one item in particular was hockey cards. While several CWHL players that have competed for the Canadian or American national teams have earned the cardboard treatment, the chance to be part of a CWHL themed set represents a new experience. Starting the new trend towards its players being featured on hockey cards is the Brampton Thunder. Such an exciting offering also helps to enrich the fan experience. For generations of young boys in the post World War II era, sports cards featuring their favorite hockey, baseball and football players added an exciting new dimension to their sport of choice, while providing a stronger connection to the athletes they idolized. For the young female fans of the Brampton Thunder, the 2014-15 season has enabled them the chance to experience that same conn...

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...

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...

Having lost her battle with ovarian cancer on June 3, 2013, Sue Deacon left behind more than a loving family, but a group of individuals from Toronto’s Bill Bolton hockey league. The league members would become like a second family to Deacon providing friendship and support during a challenging time. Considering that she did not begin league play until after her diagnosis, her spirit for the game, and for life in general, was inspiring. Initially diagnosed during March 2002, she was only given a 40% percent chance of surviving another two years. Just 39 years old at the time, she exceeded those two years and positively impacted a lot of others lives. Forging on for another 11 years, hockey became its own form of therapy. As the sound of skates sliced up the clean ice surface and the roar of the sirens echoed throughout the arena, it would prove to be a pleasant distraction from the constant checkups that took place every three weeks. Planning her treatments around her hockey ...