Unhappy with the status quo, more than 200 of the world’s top female hockey players declared Thursday they will not compete in North America next season in a dramatic attempt to establish a single, economically viable professional league. The CWHL’s demise left North America with just one pro league, the five-team U.S.-based National Women’s Hockey League. The players’ decision places an emphasis on the NHL to play a larger role in women’s hockey, as well as the nations’ two governing bodies. The NHL has provided financial support to women’s hockey, but has resisted further involvement including the possibility of sponsoring its own league. “The NHL’s saying, ‘Until there’s a voice in women’s hockey we’re not going to step in,”‘ Knox said.

Source: National Post May 02, 2019 15:00 UTC