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 ,[ 1] the Professional National Women's Hockey League ,[ 4] as well as the Canada women's national ice hockey team .[ 5] [ 6]
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.[ 7] [ 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.
In 2019-2020, the Etobicoke Dolphins finished the regular season in first place. Eight teams advanced to the quarter-final round of the playoffs: Etobicoke, Cambridge, Burlington, Kingston, Stoney Creek, Oakville, Toronto and Ottawa. Due to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, the remainder of the playoffs were cancelled.[ 9]
Teams
Southwest Jr. Wildcats player during 2014-15 season.
Cambridge Rivulettes goalie during 2013-14 season.
[ 10]
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, Toronto
2004
Kingston Ice Wolves
Kingston, Ontario
2012
London Jr. Devilettes
London, Ontario
2004
Mississauga Jr. Hurricanes
Mississauga, Ontario
2004
Nepean Jr. Wildcats
Nepean, Ontario
2010
Oakville Jr. Hornets
Oakville, Ontario
2004
Ottawa Lady Senators
Ottawa, Ontario
2006
Southwest Wildcats
Windsor, Ontario
2004
Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres
Stoney Creek, Ontario
2004
Toronto Jr. Aeros
North York, Toronto
2004
Toronto Leaside Jr. Wildcats
Leaside, Toronto
2012
Waterloo K-W Rangers
Waterloo, Ontario
2008
Whitby Jr. Wolves
Whitby, Ontario
2005
Defunct franchises
Alumni Cup Playoff Champions
The winner of the final four is awarded the Alumni Cup.[ 11]
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
2017
Oakville Jr. Hornets
Toronto Jr. Aeros
Mississauga Jr. Chiefs
Durham West Jr. Lightning
2018
Toronto Jr. Aeros
Oakville Jr. Hornets
Nepean Jr. Wildcats
Cambridge Rivulettes
2019
London Jr. Devilettes
Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres
Kingston Ice Wolves
Toronto Jr. Aeros
2020
Tournament cancelled
-
-
-
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
2016
Toronto Jr. Aeros
Oakville Jr. Hornets
Mississauga Jr. Chiefs
2017
Oakville Jr. Hornets
Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres
Nepean Jr. Wildcats
2018
Toronto Jr. Aeros
Oakville Jr. Hornets
London Devilettes
Ottawa Lady 67's
2019
London Jr. Devilettes
Kingston Ice Wolves
Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres
Oakville Jr. Hornets
National team and professional alumni
Southwest Jr. Wildcats goalie 2014-15 season.
The following PWHL alumni have represented Canada in international tournaments and in Professional leagues.
Meghan Agosta (Windsor Wildcats), 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 Winter Games
Courtney Birchard (Toronto Jr. Aeros)
Mellissa Channell (Burlington Jr. Barracudas)
Mallory Deluce (Bluewater Jr. Hawks)
Laura Fortino (Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) 2014, 2018 Winter Games
Brittany Haverstock (Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres)
Haley Irwin (Toronto Jr. Aeros) 2010, 2014, 2018 Winter Games
Laura McIntosh (Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) Canada Under-22/Development Team
Stefanie McKeough (Ottawa Senators)
Isabel Menard (Ottawa Senators)
Jamie Miller (Toronto Jr. Aeros)
Carolyne Prevost (London Jr. Devilettes), Canada women's national under-18 ice hockey team
Ashley Riggs (Durham West Jr. Lightning)
Jillian Saulnier (Toronto Jr. Aeros) 2018 Winter Games
Britni Smith (Markham-Stouffville Stars)
Natalie Spooner (Durham West Jr. Lightning) 2014, 2018 Winter Games
Jennifer Wakefield (Durham West Jr. Lightning) 2010, 2014 Winter Games
Tara Watchorn (Durham West Jr. Lightning) 2014 Winter Games
Catherine White (Mississauga Jr. Chiefs)
Jessica Wong (Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres)
Celine Frappier (Southwest Wildcats/Toronto Jr. Aeros)
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[ 12]
27-0-3
57
2006-07
Toronto Jr. Aeros[ 13]
22-6-4
48
2007-08
Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres[ 13]
27-2-3
57
2008-09
Toronto Jr. Aeros[ 13]
27-5-2
56
2009-10
Mississauga Chiefs[ 14]
29-2-3-0
61
2010-11
Mississauga Chiefs[ 15]
33-3-0-0
66
2011-12
Toronto Jr. Aeros[ 13]
31-1-1-1
64
2012-13
Whitby Jr. Wolves
29-6-2-1
61
2013-14
Nepean Jr. Wildcats[ 16]
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
2016-17
Oakville Hornets
31-3-4-0
66
2017-18
Toronto Aeros
31-3-4-0
66
2018-19
Kingston Ice Wolves
28-2-7-1
64
2019-20
Etobicoke Dolphins
27-4-6
61
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[ 17]
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[ 18]
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
2016-17
Emma Maltais
Oakville Hornets
22-34-56
2017-18
Maggie McKee
London Devilettes
14-32-46
2018-19
Maggie McKee
London Devilettes
15-41-56
2019-20
Kiara Zanon
Kingston Ice Wolves
33-31-64
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[ 19]
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
2016-17
Makenzy Arsenault
Whitby Wolves
.84
2017-18
Natalie Thompson
Toronto Aeros
.71
2018-19
Andrea Fausto
Stoney Creek Sabres
1.04
2019-20
Michelle Pasiechnyk
Nepean Wildcats
1.33
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
2015-16
Kim McCullough
Leaside Wildcats
2016-17
Troy Sweet
Kingston Jr Ice Wolves
2017-18
Geoff Haddaway
Cambridge Rivulettes
2018-19
Chad Campbell
Waterloo K-W Rangers
2019-20
Stacey Marnoch
Stoney Creek Sabres
Christie Rose Scholarship
Barrie Jr. Sharks players line up for a draw during 2013-14 season.
For ten years, the PWHL awarded 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.[ 13] The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to recognize a young woman who shares the same qualities and characteristics as Christie. The scholarship program was ended after it awarded its tenth recipient.
Recipients
Year
Player
Team
2009
Kaitlyn Bannon[ 20]
London Jr. Devilettes
2010
Blair Connelly
Bluewater Jr. Hawks[ 13]
2011
Stacey Scott
London Jr. Devilettes
2012
Michelle Tanel
Durham West Jr. Lightning
2013
Clare McKellar[ 21]
London Jr. Devilettes
2014
Caitlin Lee/ Erran Lee[ 22]
Kingston Ice Wolves
2015
Davis Smith[ 23]
Bluewater Jr. Hawks
2016
Emma Forcey[ 24]
Bluewater Jr. Hawks
2017
Tayler Murphy
Mississauga Chiefs
2018
Maggie McKee
London Devilettes
References
External links
Professional Senior Collegiate Junior