The 2021–22 PHF season was the seventh season of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), which was known as the National Women's Hockey League during the previous six seasons, in North America. After mostly playing in a bubble environment the previous season due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the PHF commenced the 2021–22 season with a normal travel-based schedule.

2021–22 PHF season
LeaguePremier Hockey Federation
SportIce hockey
DurationNovember 6, 2021 – March 27, 2022
Number of matches20
Number of teams6
TV partner(s)ESPN+
ESPN2 and TSN2 (Isobel Cup finals)
Regular season
Season ChampionsConnecticut Whale
Top scorerKennedy Marchment (Connecticut)
Isobel Cup
ChampionsBoston Pride
  Runners-upConnecticut Whale
Finals MVPTaylor Wenczkowski
Premier Hockey Federation seasons

League business

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Following the 2021 Isobel Cup Finals, Lisa Haley was appointed as the league's vice president of hockey operations.[1]

On April 28, 2021, the league announced that it was planning to double the salary cap of every franchise to $300,000, based on projections of financial stability for the seventh season.[2]

On September 7, 2021, it was announced that the league would be renamed from the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) to the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).[3][4]

On February 23, 2022, the league announced that all teams were allowed to sign one additional player for the remainder of the season and spend an additional $10,000 above the current $300,000 salary cap. Additionally, all clubs would also be allowed to dress 18 skaters per game, up from 17 for the rest of the 2021–22 season.[5]

Expansion

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Plans for an expansion team in Montreal, Quebec, for the seventh season were delayed. Boston Pride president Miles Arnone, a member of the BTM Group, the group behind establishing the expansion club, confirmed the league announcement. With concerns over the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the earliest season for an expansion team in Montreal would be 2022–23.[6]

Team ownership

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On May 10, the NWHL announced the sale and transfer of ownership of the Connecticut Whale to Shared Hockey Enterprises (SHE), LLC, led by Tobin Kelly.[7] The Whale became the first of the four founding teams to be sold to outside ownership after the league's October 2020 announcement of its transition to joint venture models. The Metropolitan Riveters then were sold to BTM Partners on May 26, giving them control of three of the league's six franchises. A transfer of ownership from W Hockey Partners, the new ownership installed John Boynton to serve as the Riveters' chairman.[8] The NWHL finished selling its league operated teams to independent ownership with the sale of the Buffalo Beauts and Minnesota Whitecaps to a joint partnership of NLTT Ventures, LLC, and Top Tier Sports on June 28, 2021.[9]

Front office changes

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General managers
Off–season
Team 2020–21 GM 2021–22 GM Notes
Toronto Six Mandy Cronin Krystiana (Krysti) Clarke[10] Clarke's background has included a role as manager of operations with York United FC of Canadian Premier League soccer

(*) Indicates interim.

Coaching changes

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Coaches
Off–season
Team 2020–21 coach 2021–22 coach Notes
Toronto Six Digit Murphy Mark Joslin[11] Joslin spent the last four seasons with the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Toronto Patriots

Regular season

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Standings

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The regular season schedule was published on August 5, 2021.[12][13]

Standings as of March 22, 2022.[14]

Team GP W L OTL Pts[a][b] RW OTW SOW GF GA Diff PIM
Connecticut Whale 20 15 3 2 47 15 0 0 74 44 +30 142
Toronto Six 20 16 3 1 46 13 3 0 66 45 +21 154
Boston Pride 20 10 5 5 32 7 2 1 48 47 +1 152
Metropolitan Riveters 20 7 12 1 21 6 1 0 54 65 -11 195
Minnesota Whitecaps 20 6 13 1 19 6 0 0 62 64 -12 202
Buffalo Beauts 20 6 14 0 15 3 3 0 44 73 -29 176
  1. ^ 3 points are awarded for a regulation win, 2 points are awarded for an overtime/shootout win, 1 point is awarded for an overtime/shootout loss, 0 points are awarded for a regulation loss[15]
  2. ^ Tiebreaker order is: Points, Head-to-head record, Regulation wins, Wins, Goal Differential[14]

Schedule

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All times listed are Eastern Time.

Regular season schedule
Date Visitor Score Home OT Notes
November 6 Connecticut 1–4 Metropolitan
Toronto 4–3 Buffalo
Minnesota 4–6 Boston
November 7 Minnesota 0–1 Boston
Connecticut 6–5 Metropolitan
November 13 Boston 4–3 Connecticut OT
November 14 Boston 1–3 Connecticut
November 20 Connecticut 1–5 Toronto
Buffalo 4–3 Metropolitan OT
Boston 0–2 Minnesota
November 21 Connecticut 2–3 Toronto
Boston 2–1 Minnesota OT
Buffalo 3–5 Metropolitan
December 4 Minnesota 1–5 Connecticut
Toronto 1–2 Boston SO
December 5 Minnesota 2–4 Connecticut
Toronto 2–8 Boston
December 11 Metropolitan 1–2 Toronto
Buffalo Minnesota Postponed[16]
December 12 Metropolitan 0–3 Toronto
Buffalo Minnesota Postponed[16]
December 18 Boston Metropolitan Postponed[17]
Connecticut 3–1 Buffalo
Toronto 4–0 Minnesota
December 19 Toronto 2–1 Minnesota
Connecticut 3–1 Buffalo
Boston Metropolitan Postponed[17]
January 8 Minnesota Toronto Postponed[18]
Boston Buffalo Postponed[18]
January 9 Boston Buffalo Postponed[18]
Minnesota Toronto Postponed[18]
January 15 Metropolitan 1–5 Connecticut
Buffalo 1–6 Toronto
January 16 Buffalo 3–8 Toronto
Metropolitan 2–3 Connecticut
January 22 Toronto Connecticut Postponed[19]
Minnesota 3–1 Buffalo
Metropolitan 1–3 Boston
January 23 Toronto Connecticut Postponed[19]
Minnesota 6–1 Buffalo
Metropolitan 4–3 Boston
February 5 Connecticut 3–2 Boston
Buffalo 1–8 Minnesota Rescheduled from December 11[20]
February 6 Buffalo 6–2 Minnesota Rescheduled from December 12[20]
Connecticut 6–1 Boston
February 12 Minnesota 2–6 Toronto Rescheduled from January 8[21]
Metropolitan 2–3 Buffalo
February 13 Minnesota 1–2 Toronto Rescheduled from January 9[21]
Metropolitan 3–2 Buffalo
February 19 Metropolitan 2–5 Minnesota
February 20 Metropolitan 7–4 Minnesota
February 21 Toronto 0–3 Buffalo
February 26 Toronto 4–3 Metropolitan
Buffalo 3–4 Boston
February 27 Buffalo 0–1 Boston
Toronto 3-2 Metropolitan
March 5 Boston 2–0 Metropolitan Rescheduled from December 18[21]
Connecticut 4–2 Minnesota
March 6 Connecticut 4–1 Minnesota
Boston 2–3 Metropolitan OT Rescheduled from December 19[21]
March 12 Minnesota 4-2 Metropolitan
Boston 1-2 Toronto OT
Buffalo 3-5 Connecticut
March 13 Boston 3–4 Toronto OT
Buffalo 0-4 Connecticut
Minnesota 3–4 Metropolitan
March 19 Toronto 5-4 Connecticut OT Rescheduled from January 22[22]
Boston 1-2 Buffalo OT Rescheduled from January 8[21]
March 20 Boston 2-3 Buffalo OT Rescheduled from January 9[21]
Toronto 0-5 Connecticut Rescheduled from January 23[22]

Playoffs

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The Isobel Cup playoffs were held in the Tampa Bay area at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida. All six teams will compete in the postseason. The preliminary rounds will be played on March 25, with the semifinals on March 27 and the championship game on March 28. The championship game will air live on ESPN2 and TSN2.[23]

Quarterfinals
March 25
Semifinals
March 27
Finals
March 28
5 Minnesota Whitecaps 2
5 Minnesota Whitecaps 4 1 Connecticut Whale 4
4 Metropolitan Riveters 1 3 Boston Pride 4
1 Connecticut Whale 2
3 Boston Pride 5
6 Buffalo Beauts 0 2 Toronto Six 1
3 Boston Pride 6

Boston vs. Buffalo

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March 25 Buffalo 0 – 6 Boston Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 8:19 – Taylor Wenczkowski(McKenna Brand, Sammy Davis)
14:42 – ppKali Flanagan(McKenna Brand, Kaleigh Fratkin)
15:14 – Jillian Dempsey(McKenna Brand, Evelina Raselli)
No scoring Third period 11:03 – ppChristina Putigna(Amanda Boulier)
12:38 – Tereza Vanišová(Christina Putigna, Amanda Boulier)
17:37 – Mary Parker(Kali Flanagan, Kaleigh Fratkin)
(30 saves / 36 shots) Carly Jackson Goalie stats Katie Burt (32 saves / 32 shots)


Metropolitan vs. Minnesota

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March 25 Minnesota 4 – 1 Metropolitan Recap  
7:54 – Taylor Turnquist(Audra Morrison, Jonna Curtis) First period No scoring
6:54 – Sydney Baldwin(Jonna Curtis, Audra Morrison)
11:58 – pp – Sydney Baldwin – (Jonna Curtis, Audra Morrison)
Second period 8:42 – Kelly Babstock(Leila Kilduff, Rose Alleva)
19:18 – enAllie Thunstrom(Haley Mack) Third period No scoring
Amanda Leveille (32 saves / 33 shots) Goalie stats Brooke Wolejko (29 saves / 32 shots)


Connecticut vs. Minnesota

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March 27 Minnesota 2 – 4 Connecticut Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Allie Thunstrom(Patti Marshall, Haley Mack)
15:29 – ppAshleigh Brykaliuk(Sydney Baldwin, Patti Marshall)
Second period 01:23 – Kennedy Marchment(Taylor Girard, Alyssa Wohlfeiler)
06:55 – Janine Weber(Allie Munroe, Hannah Bates)
15:43 – Alyssa Wohlfeiler – (Kennedy Marchment, Shannon Turner)
17:10 – Tori Howran
No scoring Third period No scoring
Amanda Leveille (31 saves / 35 shots) Goalie stats Abbie Ives (22 saves / 24 shots)


Boston vs. Toronto

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March 27 Boston 5 – 1 Toronto Recap  
15:39 – ppChristina Putigna(Lauren Kelly, Mallory Souliotis)
16:07 – ppKali Flanagan(Kaleigh Fratkin)
17:53 – Kayla Friesen(Kali Flanagan, McKenna Brand)
First period 19:26 – ppBreanne Wilson-Bennett(Brooke Boquist, Taylor Woods)
03:40 – Evelina Raselli Second period No scoring
8:08 – ppTaylor Wenczkowski (Kaleigh Fratkin, Amanda Boulier) Third period No scoring
Katie Burt (18 saves / 19 shots) Goalie stats Elaine Chuli (23 saves / 28 shots)


Boston vs. Connecticut

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March 28 Boston 4 – 2 Connecticut Recap  
4:14 – Jillian Dempsey(Mary Parker) First period 16:44 – Amanda Conway(Emma Vlasic, Janine Weber)
No scoring Second period 0:33 – Taylor Girard(Kennedy Marchment)
6:39 – Evelina Raselli(Mary Parker, Jillian Dempsey)
6:57 – Taylor Wenczkowski(Christina Putigna, Kali Flanagan)
18:30 – enJenna Rheault
Third period No scoring
Katie Burt (32 saves / 34 shots) Goalie stats Abbie Ives (26 saves / 29 shots)


All-Star Game

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2022 PHF All-Star Game Logo

The 2022 PHF All-Star Game was originally scheduled to take place at the home of the Toronto Six,[24] but was moved to Buffalo, home of the Beauts, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario.[25] At the same time as the relocation announcement, it was announced that the 2023 All-Star Game would be held in Toronto.[25]

Draft

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The 2021 NWHL Draft resulted in Taylor Girard being selected first overall by the Connecticut Whale.[26]

References

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  1. ^ Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press (March 30, 2021). "Canada's Lisa Haley named NWHL's senior vice-president of hockey operations". torontostar.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "NWHL doubles salary cap to $300,000, delays Montreal expansion". espn.com. April 28, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Wawrow, John (September 7, 2021). "NWHL Rebrands to 'Premier Hockey Federation' to Promote Inclusivity, Inspire Youth". WNBC.
  4. ^ Krotz, Paul (September 7, 2021). "NWHL REBRANDS AS PREMIER HOCKEY FEDERATION". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "Premier Hockey Federation increases salary cap for remainder of season and next season". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "NWHL postpones arrival of Montreal expansion club to 2022-23". montreal.ctvnews.ca. April 28, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  7. ^ Maggie Vanoni (May 10, 2021). "NWHL sell Connecticut Whale to new private ownership, Shared Hockey Enterprises". ctpost.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "Metropolitan Riveters being sold to BTM Partners as company's third NWHL team". espn.com/. May 26, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "NWHL Announces Sale of Buffalo Beauts and Minnesota Whitecaps". OurSports Central. June 28, 2021.
  10. ^ "Six name Clarke general managers". tsn.ca/. June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  11. ^ "Six appoints Joslin as head coach". tsn.ca/. June 7, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Krotz, Paul (August 5, 2021). "NWHL Announces 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  13. ^ "PHF Schedule". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "PHF standings". PHF. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  15. ^ Krotz, Paul (November 6, 2021). "PHF Announces Changes to Playing Regulations". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Krotz, Paul. "PHF Announces BUF/MIN Games Postponed". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Krotz. "PHF Announces BOS/MET Games Postponed". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d Krotz (January 5, 2022). "PHF Announces Jan 8-9 Games Postponed". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "PHF Announces TOR/CTW Games Postponed; Updated COVID-19 Protocols". Premier Hockey Federation. January 21, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Krotz, Paul (December 16, 2021). "PHF Announces BUF/MIN Games Rescheduled". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Krotz, Paul (January 14, 2022). "PHF Announces Rescheduling Of Three Weekend Series". Premier Hockey Federation.
  22. ^ a b Krotz, Paul (January 25, 2022). "PHF Announces TOR/CTW Games Rescheduled". Premier Hockey Federation.
  23. ^ "PHF To Award Isobel Cup in Florida on ESPN2". PHF. February 9, 2022.
  24. ^ Krotz, Paul (January 7, 2022). "2022 PHF All-Star Showcase Logo and Jerseys Unveiled". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 26, 2022. Unique Toronto designs are boldly 'Breaking Boundaries'
  25. ^ a b Krotz, Paul (January 12, 2022). "2022 PHF All-Star Showcase Relocates to Buffalo". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 26, 2022. Top PHF talents to compete January 29 at Northtown Center
  26. ^ Krotz, Paul (June 29, 2021). "2021 NWHL Draft Recap". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
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