The Montreal Canadiens have formed a partnership agreement with the Montreal Stars of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL).
According to a press release sent out Thursday evening: “The Canadiens organization will make its infrastructure and resources available to the Stars, along with a host of expertise in the areas of marketing, advertising and sponsorships, while assisting in merchandising and promoting the Montreal Stars brand. Together, the two teams will work to encourage the development of women’s hockey at the grassroots level and contribute to various community projects and initiatives.”
The Stars, three-time Clarkson Cup winners, have been the most successful team in the CWHL since the all-female league was founded in 2007.
“Entering into a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens affords the CWHL an opportunity to grow women’s hockey hand in hand with one of the most storied franchises in professional sport,” CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress said. “Female hockey players in Quebec and around the world, along with fans of the CWHL, will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the work we do together.”
Canadiens’ president and CEO Geoff Molson added: “As a professional hockey organization, we have been closely involved in minor hockey development for many years in Quebec, and with the growing popularity of women’s hockey over the last decade, I think this is the right time to concretely support women who play professional hockey, and, at the same time, promote the sport among up-and-coming players.”
