The Provincial Women's Hockey League (or PWHL) is a Junior[1] women's ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada that was founded in 2004. It is considered to be the highest level of junior women's amateur ice hockey in Ontario, and is sanctioned by Hockey Canada and the Ontario Women's Hockey Association.[2]
The PWHL provides alumni to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport,[3] National Collegiate Athletic Association,[4] the Professional Canadian Women's Hockey League,[5] as well as the Canada women's national ice hockey team.[6][7]
History
Southwest and Barrie battle during 2013-14 season.
Kingston skater during 2013-14 season.
The PWHL was founded in 2004 by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association. The PWHL is the women's equivalent to men's junior hockey, but is classified by the OWHA as Intermediate AA officially as the OWHA does not have an official "junior" classification system. Despite this, the teams of the PWHL market themselves as women's junior hockey.
One of the league's most notable alumni is Meghan Agosta who played for the Windsor Wildcats. She went on to play professional with the Montreal Stars of the Canadian Women's Hockey League and is a member of two Olympic championship teams.[8]
In the early years of the league, when PWHL teams had to compete for OWHA provincials they would do so with representatives of the Ottawa District. The PWHL franchises proved much more competitive than their Ottawa counterparts and after two seasons Ottawa applied to and joined the PWHL. By the 2009 league playoffs, the Ottawa Senators beat the league powerhouse Toronto Jr. Aeros to win its first league championship.
The most dominant franchise in league history is the Toronto Jr. Aeros. The Aeros have won five league championships, including the first three consecutively, two Silver Medal finishes and a single Bronze medal finish in league playdowns. The Aeros have also won five regular season championships. Additionally, the Aeros have won three Golds at provincials, as well as two silvers and a bronze. The Aeros have also twice accomplished the PWHL's "triple crown" winning the regular season title, playoff championship, and provincial championship all in one year in both 2005 and 2006.
Teams
Southwest Jr. Wildcats player during 2014-15 season.
Cambridge Rivulettes goalie during 2013-14 season.
[9]
|
Team | Centre | Joined |
Aurora Jr. Panthers |
Aurora, Ontario |
2004 |
Barrie Jr. Sharks |
Barrie, Ontario |
2011 |
Bluewater Jr. Hawks |
Strathroy, Ontario |
2004 |
Brampton Jr. Canadettes |
Brampton, Ontario |
2004 |
Burlington Jr. Barracudas |
Burlington, Ontario |
2004 |
Cambridge Rivulettes |
Cambridge, Ontario |
2004 |
Durham West Jr. Lightning |
Ajax, Ontario |
2004 |
Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins |
Etobicoke, Ontario |
2004 |
Kingston Ice Wolves |
Kingston, Ontario |
2012 |
London Jr. Devilettes |
London, Ontario |
2004 |
Mississauga Jr. Chiefs |
Mississauga, Ontario |
2004 |
Nepean Jr. Wildcats |
Nepean, Ontario |
2010 |
Oakville Jr. Hornets |
Oakville, Ontario |
2004 |
Ottawa Lady Sens |
Ottawa, Ontario |
2006 |
Southwest Wildcats |
Windsor, Ontario |
2004 |
Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres |
Stoney Creek, Ontario |
2004 |
Toronto Jr. Aeros |
North York, Ontario |
2004 |
Toronto Leaside Jr. Wildcats |
Leaside, Ontario |
2012 |
Waterloo K-W Rangers |
Waterloo, Ontario |
2008 |
Whitby Jr. Wolves |
Whitby, Ontario |
2005 |
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Defunct franchises
- Chatham Outlaws (2004-2006)
- Hamilton Hawks (2004-2011)
- Markham-Stouffville Stars (2004-2009)
Alumni Cup Playoff Champions
The winner of the final four is awarded the Alumni Cup.[10]
|
Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Fourth |
2005 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Windsor Wildcats |
2006 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Markham-Stouffville Stars |
2007 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Ottawa NCCP Raiders |
2008 | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Ottawa NCCP Capitals | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2009 | Ottawa Senators | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2010 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Bluewater Jr. Hawks |
2011 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Burlington Jr. Barracudas |
2012 | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Aurora Jr. Panthers |
2013 | Whitby Jr. Wolves | London Jr. Devilettes | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs |
2014 | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
2015 | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Oakville Jr. Hornets | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
2016 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
|
Provincials
The OWHA runs a second run of playoffs that determines Provincial champion. These are not operated by the PWHL, but have all PWHL teams participating.
|
Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Fourth |
2005 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Windsor Wildcats | Markham-Stouffville Stars | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins |
2006 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Markham-Stouffville Stars | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres |
2007 | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Aurora Jr. Panthers | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2008 | Ottawa Capitals | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Aurora Jr. Panthers |
2009 | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2010 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Brampton Jr. Canadettes |
2011 | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Whitby Jr. Wolves | London Jr. Devilettes |
2012 | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Burlington Jr. Barracudas |
2013 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Cambridge Jr. Rivulettes |
2014 | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2015 | Oakville Jr. Hornets | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
|
National team and Profession alumni
Southwest Jr. Wildcats goalie 2014-15 season.
The following PWHL alumni have represented Canada in international tournaments and in Professional leagues.
Awards
Barrie Jr. Sharks goalie 2013-14 season.
Regular Season champions
|
Season | Team | Record | Points |
2004-05 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 23-5-2 | 48 |
2005-06 | Toronto Jr. Aeros[11] | 27-0-3 | 57 |
2006-07 | Toronto Jr. Aeros[12] | 22-6-4 | 48 |
2007-08 | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres[13] | 27-2-3 | 57 |
2008-09 | Toronto Jr. Aeros[14] | 27-5-2 | 56 |
2009-10 | Mississauga Chiefs[15] | 29-2-3-0 | 61 |
2010-11 | Mississauga Chiefs[16] | 33-3-0-0 | 66 |
2011-12 | Toronto Jr. Aeros[17] | 31-1-1-1 | 64 |
2012-13 | Whitby Jr. Wolves | 29-6-2-1 | 61 |
2013-14 | Nepean Jr. Wildcats[18] | 32-3-2-1 | 67 |
2014-15 | Oakville Jr. Hornets | 31-3-4-0 | 66 |
2015-16 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 27-2-5-4 | 63 |
|
Scoring champion
|
Season | Player | Team | G-A-P |
2004-05 | |
2005-06 | Mallory Deluce | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | 18-45-63 |
2006-07 | Laura McIntosh | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 21-33-54 |
2007-08 | Kelly Sabatine | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 28-32-60 |
2008-09 | Kelly Sabatine | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 33-35-68 |
2009-10 | Theadora Imbrogno[19] | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 28-34-62 |
2010-11 | Jenna Dingeldein | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 21-40-61 |
2011-12 | Emily Janiga | Burlington Jr. Barracudas | 27-21-48 |
2012-13 | Krista Yip-Chuck | Whitby Jr. Wolves | 29-36-65 |
2013-14 | Victoria Bach[20] | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 36-32-68 |
2014-15 | Jessie Eldridge | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 29-35-64 |
2015-16 | Daryl Watts | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 30-35-65 |
|
Goaltending Award
Kingston goalie during 2013-14 season.
|
Season | Player | Team | GAA |
2004-05 | Melissa John/ Jamie Miller | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 1.50 |
2005-06 | Christina Kessler/ Jamie Miller | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 0.93 |
2006-07 | Jamie Miller | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 1.28 |
2007-08 | Cassandra McNichol | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 1.13 |
2008-09 | Cassie Seguin | Ottawa Senators | 1.34 |
2009-10 | Olivia Ross | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 0.98 |
2010-11 | Ali Binnington/ Bridget Smith | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 1.00 |
2011-12 | Taylor Hough | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 0.71 |
2012-13 | Jackie Rochefort | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 0.94 |
2013-14 | Kira Bombay[21] | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | 0.82 |
2014-15 | Sarah McDonnell | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 1.03 |
2015-16 | Danika Ranger | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 0.83 |
|
Coach of the Year
|
Season | Coach | Team |
2004-05 | Paul Rockett | Brampton Jr. Canadettes |
2005-06 | |
2006-07 | |
2007-08 | |
2008-09 | |
2009-10 | Dave Gwyn | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins |
2010-11 | Rick Sullivan | Bluewater Jr. Hawks |
2011-12 | Christina Jolliffe | London Jr. Devilettes |
2012-13 | Wayne McDonald | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2013-14 | Bruce MacDonald | Nepean Jr. Wildcats |
2014-15 | Jessica Turri | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins |
|
Christie Rose Scholarship
Barrie Jr. Sharks players line up for a draw during 2013-14 season.
The PWHL awards a scholarship in memory of former PWHL player Christie Rose. She was an 18-year-old young woman who died on June 24, 2008, as a result of her injuries suffered in a car accident.[22] The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to recognize a young woman who shares the same qualities and characteristics as Christie.
Recipients
|
Year | Player | Team |
2009 | Kaitlyn Bannon[23] | London Jr. Devilettes |
2010 | Blair Connelly | Bluewater Jr. Hawks[24] |
2011 | Stacey Scott | London Jr. Devilettes |
2012 | Michelle Tanel | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
2013 | Clare McKellar | London Jr. Devilettes |
2014 | Caitlin Lee/ Erran Lee | Kingston Ice Wolves |
2015 | Davis Smith | Bluewater Jr. Hawks |
|
References
External links
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Professional | |
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Senior |
- Golden Blades Women's Hockey League
- Lower Lakers Female Hockey League
- Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey League
- National Capital Women's Hockey League
- Winnipeg Women's Hockey League
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Collegiate | |
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Junior | |
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