:2019–20 NWHL season

Following the 2018–19 season, the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) ceased operations citing the fragmentation of corporate sponsors between the CWHL and NWHL caused their league to be financially infeasible.{{cite web |url=http://www.thecwhl.com/CWHL_Final_Public_Communication%20July_2_2019_FINAL_630pm.pdf |title=Final Public Communication |website=CWHL |date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925231559/http://thecwhl.com/CWHL_Final_Public_Communication%20July_2_2019_FINAL_630pm.pdf |url-status=dead }} The NWHL then announced it was pursuing adding two CWHL markets to the league, Montreal and Toronto, if the NWHL found financial backers for the teams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/04/02/us-based-nwhl-oks-plan-to-expand-to-canada-after-cwhl-folds.html|title=U.S.-based women's hockey league OKs plan to expand to Canada after CWHL folds {{!}} The Star|website=thestar.com|language=en|access-date=April 2, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304062911/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/04/02/us-based-nwhl-oks-plan-to-expand-to-canada-after-cwhl-folds.html|url-status=live}}

On May 2, 2019, over 200 players from both the CWHL and NWHL released a joint statement announcing their intent to not participate in any North American professional league for the 2019–20 season citing their dissatisfaction in the operations of both leagues in that neither provided health insurance or a livable salary.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/more-than-200-players-call-for-overhaul-of-women-s-pro-hockey-1.1299658 |title=More than 200 players call for overhaul of women's pro hockey |work=The Sports Network |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116031418/https://www.tsn.ca/more-than-200-players-call-for-overhaul-of-women-s-pro-hockey-1.1299658 |url-status=live }} The NWHL responded with that they were pursuing many more sponsors than in previous years and hoped to increase player salaries.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/1017797 |title=A Statement to the Players, Fans and Supporters of the NWHL and Women's Hockey |website=NWHL.zone |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716015754/https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/1017797 |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |url-status=dead }} and agreed to give players a 50 percent split of revenue on league sponsorship and media deals. On May 20, 2019, the players formed a worker's union called the Professional Women's Hockey Player Association (PWHPA) to further push for their stated goals of a league that provides financial and infrastructure resources to players, health insurance, and support to training programs for young female players.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/5/20/18632598/professional-womens-hockey-player-association-pwhpa-established-issues-statement-for-the-game |title=Professional Women's Hockey Player Association established, issues statement |website=The Ice Garden |date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010150956/https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/5/20/18632598/professional-womens-hockey-player-association-pwhpa-established-issues-statement-for-the-game |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://pwhpa.com/ |title=Professional Women's Hockey Player Association |website=PWHPA |access-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004071754/http://pwhpa.com/ |url-status=live }} With a large number of North American players boycotting the league, more than half of the signed players on opening rosters were new to the league.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/10/4/20891116/2019-20-nwhl-preview-storylines-to-watch-miles-arnone-boston-pride-womens-hockey |title=2019-20 NWHL Preview: Storylines to watch |website=The Ice Garden |date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008223409/https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/10/4/20891116/2019-20-nwhl-preview-storylines-to-watch-miles-arnone-boston-pride-womens-hockey |url-status=live }}

On May 8, 2019, Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), the owners of the Buffalo Beauts, relinquished ownership and operations of the team back to the NWHL,{{cite web |url=https://www.wivb.com/sports/report-pegula-sports-entertainment-severs-relationship-with-buffalo-beauts/1989398826 |title=Report: Pegula Sports & Entertainment severs relationship with Buffalo Beauts |first=Evan |last=Anstey |work=WIVB-TV |date=May 8, 2019 |access-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508182736/https://www.wivb.com/sports/report-pegula-sports-entertainment-severs-relationship-with-buffalo-beauts/1989398826 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/report-pegula-sports-and-entertainment-to-sever-relationship-with-beauts |title=AP Source: Pegula relinquishes control of NWHL Buffalo team |work=WKBW |date=May 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508183131/https://www.wkbw.com/sports/report-pegula-sports-and-entertainment-to-sever-relationship-with-beauts |url-status=live }} but continued to claim rights to the Beauts name as part of the turnover.{{Cite web |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/07/02/buffalo-beauts-national-womens-hockey-league-name-logo-court-dispute/ |title=Women's hockey league seeks court ruling over Beauts name, logo |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708214637/https://buffalonews.com/2019/07/02/buffalo-beauts-national-womens-hockey-league-name-logo-court-dispute/ |url-status=live }} The Beauts then changed their home venue from the PSE-owned Harborcenter to the Northtown Center in the Buffalo suburb of Amherst.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/1037897 |title=NWHL Reveals Expanded Schedule for the 2019-20 Season |website=NWHL |date=July 29, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729180037/https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/1037897 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |url-status=dead }}

On May 17, 2019, the New Jersey Devils ended their partnership with the Metropolitan Riveters.{{cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/5/17/18629668/report-new-jersey-devils-dissolving-partnership-with-metropolitan-riveters-nwhl-womens-hockey |title=New Jersey Devils dissolving partnership with Metropolitan Riveters |website=theicegarden.com |date=May 17, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529161117/https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/5/17/18629668/report-new-jersey-devils-dissolving-partnership-with-metropolitan-riveters-nwhl-womens-hockey |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2019/05/17/nj-devils-dissolve-partnership-metropolitan-riveters-ahead-schedule/3710759002/ |title=NJ Devils dissolve partnership with Metropolitan Riveters ahead of schedule |website=northjersey.com |date=May 17, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930010043/https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2019/05/17/nj-devils-dissolve-partnership-metropolitan-riveters-ahead-schedule/3710759002/ |url-status=live }} The Riveters then changed their home venue from the Devils' practice rink to ProSkate Ice Arena in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, and returned to their original jersey colors.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/riveters-unveil-new-sweater-design-for-season-5 |title=RIVETERS UNVEIL NEW SWEATER DESIGN FOR SEASON 5 |website=NWHL |date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930154615/https://www.nwhl.zone/news/riveters-unveil-new-sweater-design-for-season-5 |url-status=dead }}

With the player strike, loss of support from the NHL teams, and lack of additional investors, the NWHL announced they would not be able to increase to full-time salaries or provide players with health insurance outside of the typical worker's compensation for injuries, but had come to an agreement to a 50 percent revenue split on all league-wide sponsorship and media deals. In addition, the league also stated they would not add Montreal and Toronto for the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/well-always-do-whats-best-for-the-game--a-message-from-the-nwhl/n-5494101 |title="We'll Always Do What's Best for the Game" - A Message from the NWHL |website=OurSports Central |date=May 30, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027155140/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/well-always-do-whats-best-for-the-game--a-message-from-the-nwhl/n-5494101 |url-status=live }} The league announced a longer 2019–20 season for the teams, going from 16 to 24 games.

Also during the offseason, the Connecticut Whale relocated to Danbury, Connecticut,{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/danbury-arena-the-new-home-of-the-connecticut-whale/n-5516113 |title=Danbury Arena the New Home of the Connecticut Whale |website=OurSports Central |date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708191025/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/danbury-arena-the-new-home-of-the-connecticut-whale/n-5516113 |url-status=live }} and the Boston Pride were purchased by a group of investors led by Miles Arnone.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nwhl-announces-sale-of-the-boston-pride/n-5553526 |title=NWHL Announces Sale of the Boston Pride |website=OurSports Central |date=September 17, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130004736/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nwhl-announces-sale-of-the-boston-pride/n-5553526 |url-status=live }}

Final standings.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/stats#/100/standings?division_id=8088 |title=NWHL standings |publisher=NWHL |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507011202/https://www.nwhl.zone/stats#/100/standings?division_id=8088 |url-status=dead }}

{{5TeamBracket

| RD1= Play-in game
{{small|March 6}}

| RD2=Semifinal game
{{small|March 8}}

| RD3=Isobel Cup Championship
{{small|Cancelled}}{{efn|Cancelled due the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/nwhl-postpones-2020-isobel-cup-final |title=NWHL POSTPONES 2020 ISOBEL CUP FINAL |website=NWHL |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316130156/https://www.nwhl.zone/news/nwhl-postpones-2020-isobel-cup-final |url-status=live }}}}

| RD1-seed1= 4

| RD1-team1= Buffalo

| RD1-score1= 3

| RD1-seed2= 5

| RD1-team2= Connecticut

| RD1-score2=5

| RD2-seed1= 1

| RD2-team1= Boston

| RD2-score1=5

| RD2-seed2= 5

| RD2-team2= Connecticut

| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3= 2

| RD2-team3= Minnesota

| RD2-score3=1

| RD2-seed4= 3

| RD2-team4= Metropolitan

| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1= 1

| RD3-team1= Boston

| RD3-score1=—

| RD3-seed2= 2

| RD3-team2= Minnesota

| RD3-score2=—

}}

{{notelist}}

The 2020 NWHL All-Star Game and its weekend festivities took place on February 8–9, 2020, at Warrior Ice Arena, the Boston Pride's home arena.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nwhl-2020-all-star-weekend-comes-to-boston/n-5582231 |title=NWHL 2020 All-Star Weekend Comes to Boston |website=OurSports Central |date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221031242/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nwhl-2020-all-star-weekend-comes-to-boston/n-5582231 |url-status=live }} The teams were captained by Jillian Dempsey of the Boston Pride and Madison Packer of the Metropolitan Riveters, who drafted their rosters from the selected all-star players in a draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/nwhl-all-star-rosters-teamdempsey-and-teampacker |title=NWHL ALL-STAR ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR #TEAMDEMPSEY AND #TEAMPACKER |website=NWHL |date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=February 9, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608231353/https://www.nwhl.zone/news/nwhl-all-star-rosters-teamdempsey-and-teampacker |url-status=dead }}

The skills challenge took place on February 8. Team Packer won the fastest skater (Grace Kleinbach of Connecticut) and hardest shot (Kaleigh Fratkin of Boston), while Team Dempsey won fastest goalie (Mariah Fujimagari of Buffalo), shooting accuracy (Jillian Dempsey), and the team relay. Team Packer ultimately won the skills competition via the team shootout competition.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/team-packer-wins-nwhl-all-star-skills-challenge |title=TEAM PACKER WINS 2020 NWHL ALL-STAR SKILLS CHALLENGE |website=NWHL |date=February 8, 2020 |access-date=February 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919224914/https://www.nwhl.zone/news/team-packer-wins-nwhl-all-star-skills-challenge |url-status=live }} On February 11, the league awarded fastest skater to Team Dempsey's Allie Thunstrom of the Minnesota Whitecaps following a review and a timing error.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/after-review-allie-thunstrom-named-winner-of-fastest-skater-event-at-skills-challenge/n-5598344 |title=After Review, Allie Thunstrom Named Winner of Fastest Skater Event at Skills Challenge |website=OurSports Central |date=February 11, 2020}}

The All-Star Game took place the following day on February 9. The game was a four-on-four format with Team Dempsey winning 5–2. The game was sold out in the 800-seat arena and had about 10,000 viewers watching the game live on Twitch.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/team-dempsey-victorious-in-nwhl-all-star-game-in-front-of-sold-out-crowd/n-5597764 |title=Team Dempsey Victorious in NWHL All-Star Game in Front of Sold-Out Crowd |website=OurSports Central |date=February 9, 2020}}

• Jillian Dempsey (Boston Pride) and Allie Thunstrom (Minnesota Whitecaps), 2020 Most Valuable Players{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/jillian-dempsey-allie-thunstrom-nwhl-mvp-award |title=JILLIAN DEMPSEY AND ALLIE THUNSTROM SHARE NWHL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD FOR 2019-20 |website=NWHL.zone |date=March 5, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

* Lovisa Selander, Boston Pride, 2020 Goaltender of the Year{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/boston-lovisa-selander-goaltender-of-the-year |title=BOSTON'S LOVISA SELANDER WINS NWHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR AWARD |website=NWHL.zone |date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123150302/https://www.nwhl.zone/news/boston-lovisa-selander-goaltender-of-the-year |url-status=dead }}

• Kaleigh Fratkin, Boston Pride, 2020 Defender of the Year{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/kaleigh-fratkin-boston-pride-defender-of-the-year |title=KALEIGH FRATKIN OF THE BOSTON PRIDE NAMED NWHL'S DEFENDER OF THE YEAR |website=NWHL.zone |date=March 5, 2020}}
• Jillian Dempsey, Boston Pride, 2020 Scoring Champion

* Kate Leary, Metropolitan Riveters, 2020 Newcomer of the Year{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news/kate-leary-riveters-named-newcomer-of-the-year |title=KATE LEARY OF THE RIVETERS IS NAMED NWHL NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR |website=NWHL.zone |date=March 5, 2020}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.nwhl.zone/|NWHL website}}

{{National Women's Hockey League}}

{{Professional Women's Hockey seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2019-20 NWHL season}}

NWHL

NWHL season

Category:2019–20 in women's ice hockey leagues