On Tuesday, Sportsnet and the Canadian Women’s Hockey League announced a longterm TV deal. For the next four seasons, the Clarkson Cup playoffs and other special events will be broadcasted by Sportsnet. Games and scores will also be featured on Sportsnet.ca.
We spoke with two-time Olympic gold medalist and Canada’s Sports Hall of Famer Cassie Campbell-Pascall about the impact this new partnership may have on women’s hockey and the five things fans need to know about the CWHL.
This is obviously a groundbreaking announcement. What exactly does it mean for women’s hockey?
We hope it gives us more exposure and that it entices sponsors to support us. We also hope that giving girls a chance to watch (on TV) will encourage them to pick up their hockey sticks and want to play hockey. It’s amazing for the game and our league.
How does the CWHL differ from the former NWHL?
The CWHL was established by a group of players after the NWHL folded so that the Olympians and club players would have a place to play. The NWHL was the first league that tired to push women’s hockey into a professional stream. It’s definitively the foundation for the CWHL.
How does the CWHL compare to the Olympics or World Championships?
Playing for your country is always going to be a pinnacle for any hockey player. But I hope it becomes just as important to play on our club teams as it is to play for the National Team. We want to get to where girls aren’t just saying, “I want to grow up and play on Team Canada.” We want them to grow up saying, “I want to play for the Toronto Furies or the Boston Blades or the Montreal Stars.” That’s the goal we want to reach.
In the first five seasons of the CWHL, the Montreal Stars led in regular season points and walked away with three Clarkson Cups. Last season, the Toronto Furies finished the regular season in fourth place and went on to win the Cup for the first time in club history. Are these two teams the major contenders for the 2014-2015 season?
The Montreal Stars have always been a great organization. But I think that’s the great thing about our league — we’ve had three champions over the last several years, but the parity between all the teams means it always goes right down to the wire, whether it’s a newer team like the Calgary Inferno or a more established team like the Brampton Thunder. Every game is close and every game is competitive.
What can audience members look forward to this season?
They can look forward to hockey that’s just like a World Championship or an Olympic game, if not better. You’re going to see the Olympians play, but you’re also going to see some great club players who are right there on the cusp of potentially making the National Team. We have so much depth in this country and the viewers are going to see some of the best women’s hockey out there.