2020–21 PWHPA season
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2020–21 PWHPA season
| league = Professional Women's Hockey Players Association
| sport = Ice hockey
| duration = {{ubl|class=nowrap|September 2020 – May 2021}}
| season =
| season_champ_name =
| season_champs =
| MVP =
| MVP_link =
| top_scorer =
| top_scorer_link =
| average_attendance =
| playoffs = Secret Cup
| playoffs_link = #Dream Gap Tour
| conf1 = USA Secret Cup
| conf1_champ = Team Adidas (Minnesota)
| conf2 = Canadian Secret Cup
| conf2_champ = Team Bauer (Montreal)
| finals =
| finals_link =
| finals_champ =
| finals_runner-up =
| playoffs_MVP =
| playoffs_MVP_link =
| nextseason_year = 2021–22
| prevseason_year = 2019–20
| seasonslistnames = PWHPA
}}
The 2020–21 PWHPA season was the second season organized by the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA).
Formed after the collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) in 2019, the PWHPA consists of over 150 women's ice hockey players boycotting the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) and working towards the establishment of a new, unified women's professional league. For the 2020–21 season, the PWHPA organized into five different training hubs, each of which fielded a roster that competing in exhibition games across North America and in the Dream Gap Tour tournament.{{Cite news|last=Spencer|first=Donna|date=2020-05-13|title=Women's pro hockey players to get more ice time under 5-city regional plan|language=en-US|work=CBC Sports|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhpa-future-regional-plan-1.5567595|access-date=2020-11-15|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023042502/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhpa-future-regional-plan-1.5567595|url-status=live}}
== Business ==
On September 2, 2020, the PWHPA released a statement condemning police brutality and racial injustice.{{Cite web |last=Tokarski |first=Anne |date=September 2, 2020 |title=PWHPA publishes statement on racial injustice |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/9/2/21418628/pwhpa-publishes-statement-on-racial-injustice |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=The Ice Garden |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601233515/https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/9/2/21418628/pwhpa-publishes-statement-on-racial-injustice |url-status=live }} The same day, Liz Knox resigned from the PWHPA board in order to cede her seat to Sarah Nurse, one of the few Black players in the organization.{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |date=September 2, 2020 |title=PWHPA adds Nurse to board to fix 'blind spot' |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29794679/women-hockey-players-association-adds-sarah-nurse-board-fix-blind-spot |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908140118/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29794679/women-hockey-players-association-adds-sarah-nurse-board-fix-blind-spot |url-status=live }}
In August 2020, the PWHPA partnered with Elites Optimization Services to help players find individual sponsorships.{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Michelle |date=August 26, 2020 |title=PWHPA announces partnership with EOS, Parity |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/8/26/21402704/pwhpa-announces-partnership-with-eos-parity |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=The Ice Garden |language=en |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021030008/https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/8/26/21402704/pwhpa-announces-partnership-with-eos-parity |url-status=live }} After sponsoring a showcase the previous season, deodorant brand Secret agreed to a $1 million sponsorship deal with the PWHPA on October 22, 2020, marking the largest corporate commitment in North American women's hockey history.{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Donna |date=October 22, 2020 |title=Milestone sponsorship keeps pro women's hockey association's goals in sight |language=en-US |work=CBC Sports |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/professional-womens-hockey-players-association-sponsorship-deal-secret-1.5772421 |access-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101124506/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/professional-womens-hockey-players-association-sponsorship-deal-secret-1.5772421 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |date=2020-10-28 |title=Inside the $1 million commitment that will elevate the Professional Women's Hockey Player Association Dream Gap Tour |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30201356/inside-1-million-commitment-elevate-professional-women-hockey-player-association-dream-gap-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101031257/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30201356/inside-1-million-commitment-elevate-professional-women-hockey-player-association-dream-gap-tour |archive-date=2020-11-01 |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=ESPN}} The sponsorship deal included prize money for the Dream Gap Tour, which was planned to start in early 2021. The PWHPA also added partnerships with Noble Estates Wines & Spirits, Canadian Tire, and Sportlogiq.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-11 |title=Introducing the Official Prosecco of the PWHPA - Bottega Gold |url=https://pwhpa.com/introducing-the-official-prosecco-of-the-pwhpa-bottega-gold/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119154236/https://pwhpa.com/introducing-the-official-prosecco-of-the-pwhpa-bottega-gold/ |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=PWHPA |language=en-US |type=Press release}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-21 |title=PWHPA announces new partnership with Canadian Tire |url=https://womenshockeylife.com/pwhpa-announces-new-partnership-with-canadian-tire/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126063307/https://womenshockeylife.com/pwhpa-announces-new-partnership-with-canadian-tire/ |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=Women's Hockey Life |language=en-US}}{{cite web |url=https://womenshockeylife.com/pwhpa-announce-partnership-with-sportlogiq/ |title=PWHPA Announces Partnership with Sportlogiq |website=Women's Hockey Life |date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219004834/https://womenshockeylife.com/pwhpa-announce-partnership-with-sportlogiq/ |url-status=live }}
The PWHPA decided to reduce its number of training hubs from eight to five, maintaining hubs in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, New Hampshire and Minnesota.
On February 23, 2021, the PWHPA announced the February 28 game of the 2021 Dream Gap Tour, played at Madison Square Garden, would be aired live on the NHL Network in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada.{{cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/pwhpas-first-secret-dream-gap-tour-game-at-madison-square-garden-to-be-broadcast-live-on-nhl-network-and-sportsnet/ |title=PWHPA’S FIRST SECRET® DREAM GAP TOUR GAME AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON NHL NETWORK AND SPORTSNET |website=PWHPA |date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223215336/https://pwhpa.com/pwhpas-first-secret-dream-gap-tour-game-at-madison-square-garden-to-be-broadcast-live-on-nhl-network-and-sportsnet/ |url-status=live }}
== Teams ==
Of the five regional hubs, three were in Canada in Montréal, Toronto, and Calgary; and two were in the United States in New Hampshire and Minnesota. PWHPA players competed in try-outs for 25 spots on the official rosters for each hub. In late October, the PWHPA announced the full rosters for each hub as well as coaching staffs.{{Cite web|last=Jay|first=Michelle|date=2020-10-22|title=PWHPA releases 2020-21 regional rosters|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/10/22/21528603/pwhpa-releases-2020-2021-regional-rosters-womens-hockey-secret-dream-gap-tour|access-date=2020-11-15|website=The Ice Garden|language=en|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025014540/https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/10/22/21528603/pwhpa-releases-2020-2021-regional-rosters-womens-hockey-secret-dream-gap-tour|url-status=live}} Players who did not make the rosters continued to be members of the PWHPA as independents.
In the 2019–20 season, teams were formed throughout the season and named after players acting as captains for each series. For this season, the regional hubs made sponsorship agreements for team names. The Toronto hub made a sponsorship deal with insurance company Sonnet and was branded as Team Sonnet, with the hub's jerseys featuring turquoise and white.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/professional-womens-hockey-players-association-sponsorship-deal-toronto-1.5815458 |title=Toronto women's pro hockey gains corporate sponsor |website=CBC.ca |date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125160221/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/professional-womens-hockey-players-association-sponsorship-deal-toronto-1.5815458 |url-status=live }} The Calgary hub was branded Team Scotiabank, with red and white jerseys, in a partnership with Scotiabank that includes a mentorship program for young female players.{{cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/scotiabank-announces-pwhpa-sponsorship/ |title=SCOTIABANK ANNOUNCES PWHPA SPONSORSHIP |website=PWHPA |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210140022/https://pwhpa.com/scotiabank-announces-pwhpa-sponsorship/ |url-status=live }} On February 25, 2021, before the tour's first games, the Minnesota and New Hampshire-based teams announced their sponsored names as Team Adidas and Team WSF (Women's Sports Foundation), respectively.{{Cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/adidas-and-womens-sports-foundation-announced-as-team-sponsors-for-the-secret-dream-gap-tour-plus-cbc-sports-added-as-streaming-partner/ |title=ADIDAS AND WOMEN’S SPORTS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED AS TEAM SPONSORS FOR THE SECRET® DREAM GAP TOUR PLUS CBC SPORTS ADDED AS STREAMING PARTNER |website=PWPHA |date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226063004/https://pwhpa.com/adidas-and-womens-sports-foundation-announced-as-team-sponsors-for-the-secret-dream-gap-tour-plus-cbc-sports-added-as-streaming-partner/ |url-status=live }} The Montréal team was announced as Team Bauer on March 3.{{cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2021/3/3/22309783/pwhpa-montreal-to-be-named-team-bauer-womens-hockey |title=Montréal PWHPA hub to be named Team Bauer |website=SB Nation |date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303143105/https://www.theicegarden.com/2021/3/3/22309783/pwhpa-montreal-to-be-named-team-bauer-womens-hockey |url-status=live }}
== Exhibition games ==
The first exhibition games of the season took place in late September, as PWHPA teams faced off against teams from the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Alex |date=2020-06-26 |title=Breaking: PWHPA, NCDC to Play Series of Exhibition Games |url=https://www.thewomenshockeytribune.com/breaking-pwhpa-ncdc-to-play-series-of-exhibition-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921212940/https://www.thewomenshockeytribune.com/breaking-pwhpa-ncdc-to-play-series-of-exhibition-games/ |archive-date=2020-09-21 |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=Women's Hockey Tribune}} One week after tryouts, the New Hampshire team faced the Islanders Hockey Club's National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) team and the Boston Junior Bruins' NCDC team, losing to both 5–0 and 5–1, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Burgess |first=Melissa |date=September 22, 2020 |title=PWHPA Opens Exhibition Schedule |url=https://victorypress.org/2020/09/22/pwhpa-faces-usphl-teams-in-exhibitions/ |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=The Victory Press |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026153914/https://victorypress.org/2020/09/22/pwhpa-faces-usphl-teams-in-exhibitions/ |url-status=live }} The Minnesota PWHPA team faced the USPHL's Premier Division team, the Minnesota Mullets, on September 19 and 20, winning both games by scores of 8–1 and 9–3.
A PWHPA All-Star team of 24 players from the Minnesota and New Hampshire hubs participated in six games at the USPHL's Hub City Tampa from January 7 to 15, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/12/21/22193791/24-pwhpa-players-to-play-in-usphls-hub-city-tampa |title=24 PWHPA players to play in USPHL's "Hub City Tampa" |website=The Ice garden |date=December 21, 2020 |access-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-date=December 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221203040/https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/12/21/22193791/24-pwhpa-players-to-play-in-usphls-hub-city-tampa |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2021/1/3/22210441/how-to-watch-pwhpa-in-tampa-usphl-games-schedule-released |title=PWHPA schedule for Tampa USPHL games released |website=The Ice Garden |date=January 4, 2021 |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111232702/https://www.theicegarden.com/2021/1/3/22210441/how-to-watch-pwhpa-in-tampa-usphl-games-schedule-released |url-status=live }} The USPHL teams in Hub City Tampa were from the organization's top-level NCDC and second-level Premier Division. The PWHPA team earned a 2–3–1 record{{Cite web |url=https://www.usphl.com/view#/schedule/all-teams/84/1?league=1&gametype=-1 |title=USPHL 2021 PWHPA Florida All-Star Series schedule - January |website=USPHL |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127002537/https://www.usphl.com/view#/schedule/all-teams/84/1?league=1&gametype=-1 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite tweet |user=WIH_Tribune|number=1350141289803751427|title=FINAL: Alex Rivet snipes home the OT winner 2:53 into the extra frame and the Thunder take it 3-2. The PWHPA ends the #HubCityTampa trip 2-3-1. Thanks to everyone who has followed along the last two weeks!}} with wins over the Tampa Bay Juniors' Premier team{{Cite tweet |user=USPHL |number=1347323513309442048 |title=#HubCityTampa: Hear from Haley Scamurra from the @PWHPA All-Stars just after their 5-3 win over the @TampaJuniorsGM, after the PWHPA squad was down 2-0 early on.}} and the Boston Junior Bruins' NCDC team.{{Cite tweet |user=USPHL |number=1348984893548732417|title=#HubCityTampa: The @juniorbruins and @PWHPA All-Stars get underway at 9:10 a.m. this morning live and FREE on @MyHockeyTV!}}{{Cite tweet |user=WIH_Tribune|number=1349057593378041857|title=No need to Pannek when Kelly is around! Kelly Pannek got the offense started for the @PWHPA 'All-Stars' in #HubCityTampa this morning, scoring her first goal of the trip at 7:34 of the second period to even the game at 1-1! The PWHPA would go on to win it 2-1 over the Junior B's}} The PWHPA All-Star team played another five games against USPHL NCDC and Premier teams in Tampa from February 10 to 17, going 1–4 with a win over the Islanders Hockey Club's Premier team.{{Cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/pwhpa-all-stars-to-play-in-hub-city-ahead-of-first-dream-gap-tour-showcase/ |title=PWHPA ALL-STARS TO PLAY IN HUB-CITY AHEAD OF FIRST DREAM GAP TOUR SHOWCASE |website=PWHPA |date=February 5, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205220530/https://pwhpa.com/pwhpa-all-stars-to-play-in-hub-city-ahead-of-first-dream-gap-tour-showcase/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.usphl.com/view#/schedule/all-teams/84/2?league=1&gametype=-1 |title=USPHL 2021 PWHPA Florida All-Star Series schedule - February |website=USPHL |access-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210001100/https://www.usphl.com/view#/schedule/all-teams/84/2?league=1&gametype=-1 |url-status=dead }}{{cite tweet |user=WIH_Tribune|number=1360659393075888128 |title=FINAL: Jack Umphrey and Nick Amaya (ENG) put this game always as @HitmenPremier hold off a strong @PWHPA push in the final period and win this game 4-1 in #HubCityTampa. The PWHPA returns to game action Monday at 11:00 when they take on the NCDC's @TwinCityThunder.}}{{cite tweet |user=WIH_Tribune|number=1361378633626099720|title=FINAL: Megan Keller (PPG) and Haley Skarupa both score to even the game at 4-4, but Colton Friesen scores at 14:38 to break the tie and Timur Alishlalov hits the empty net as the Thunder win this #HubCityTampa exhibition 6-4 of the @PWHPA All-Stars.}}{{cite tweet |user=WIH_Tribune|number=1362154255575089153 |title=It wasn't the result the @PWHPA All-Stars were looking for today, but Kelly Pannek (@KPan19) did light the lamp twice in a 5-2 defeat against the Utica Junior Comets. She finished the #HubCityTampa trip with three goals and a team-high seven points!}}
== Dream Gap Tour ==
The 2021 Dream Gap Tour, named after the gap in between professional men's and women's hockey opportunities, consisted of matches between the five regional hubs with the entire tour sponsored by deodorant brand Secret. In a change from the previous season, the league planned to have the season culminate in the Secret Cup championship. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was ultimately split up, with the two American-based teams, Adidas and WSF, playing games in New York, Chicago, and St. Louis, and the three Canadian-based teams, Bauer, Scotiabank, and Sonnet, playing games in Calgary. Teams were awarded 2 points for a regulation win, 1.5 points for an overtime win, 1 point for a shootout win, 0.5 points for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. In addition, one team point could be earned by a player scoring a hat-trick or a short-handed goal, a goaltender earning a shutout, or a team scoring five or more goals in a match.{{cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/sdgt-2021/scoring/ |title=Scoring |website=PWHPA |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227005816/https://pwhpa.com/sdgt-2021/scoring/ |url-status=live }}
The first showcase took place in the New York City metropolitan area at Protec Ponds Training Center in Somerset, New Jersey, on February 27, and at Madison Square Garden on February 28, in partnership with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) and JPMorgan Chase as the presenting sponsor.{{cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/new-york-rangers-partner-with-pwhpa-and-bauer-hockey-to-advance-womens-professional-hockey/ |title=NEW YORK RANGERS PARTNER WITH PWHPA AND BAUER HOCKEY TO ADVANCE WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY |website=PWHPA |date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203173055/https://pwhpa.com/new-york-rangers-partner-with-pwhpa-and-bauer-hockey-to-advance-womens-professional-hockey/ |url-status=live }} The Chicago Blackhawks partnered with the PWHPA for a second year, adding Dream Gap Tour stops to the Blackhawks' home arena, the United Center, on March 6 and their practice facility, Fifth Third Arena, on March 7.{{Cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/chicago-blackhawks-partner-with-pwhpa-and-bauer-to-host-secret-dream-gap-tour-games-at-united-center-and-fifth-third-arena/ |title=CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS PARTNER WITH PWHPA AND BAUER TO HOST SECRET® DREAM GAP TOUR GAMES AT UNITED CENTER AND FIFTH THIRD ARENA |website=PWHPA |date=February 16, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216191811/https://pwhpa.com/chicago-blackhawks-partner-with-pwhpa-and-bauer-to-host-secret-dream-gap-tour-games-at-united-center-and-fifth-third-arena/ |url-status=live }} The third showcase was announced for St. Louis, Missouri, partnering with the St. Louis Blues on April 11 and 12;{{Cite web |url=https://pwhpa.com/st-louis-blues-partner-with-pwhpa-to-host-2021-secret-dream-gap-tour-showcase-presented-locally-by-centene-corporation/ |title=ST. LOUIS BLUES PARTNER WITH PWHPA TO HOST 2021 SECRET® DREAM GAP TOUR SHOWCASE PRESENTED LOCALLY BY CENTENE CORPORATION |website=PWHPA |date=March 18, 2021 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927151328/https://pwhpa.com/st-louis-blues-partner-with-pwhpa-to-host-2021-secret-dream-gap-tour-showcase-presented-locally-by-centene-corporation/ |url-status=live }} this showcase was postponed to May 16 and 17 due to outbreaks of COVID-19.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2021/5/4/22419434/pwhpas-secret-dream-gap-tour-showcase-in-st-louis-rescheduled-for-may-16-and-17-womens-hockey |title=PWHPA’s Dream Gap Tour in St. Louis rescheduled for May 16 and 17 |website=SB Nation |date=May 4, 2021 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207175202/https://www.theicegarden.com/2021/5/4/22419434/pwhpas-secret-dream-gap-tour-showcase-in-st-louis-rescheduled-for-may-16-and-17-womens-hockey |url-status=live }} The three Canadian teams were scheduled to play a round-robin tournament in Calgary in partnership with the Calgary Flames from May 24 through 30 to determine the Canadian champion.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-partner-with-pwhpa/c-324369270 |title=FLAMES PARTNER WITH PWHPA |website=Calgary Flames |date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509041112/https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-partner-with-pwhpa/c-324369270 |url-status=live }} The association also continued its partnership with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs; a Toronto leg of the Dream Gap Tour never materialized due to pandemic-related public health measures in Ontario.{{cite web |title=PWHPA announces partnership with Maple Leafs |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/pwhpa-announces-partnership-maple-leafs/ |access-date=February 6, 2021 |website=Sportsnet |date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206164155/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/pwhpa-announces-partnership-maple-leafs/ |url-status=live }}
=Schedule and results=
{{notelist}}
== See also ==
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://pwhpa.com/ PWHPA website]
{{Professional Women's Hockey seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2020-21 PWHPA season}}
Category:Women's ice hockey competitions in Canada
Category:Women's ice hockey competitions in the United States