Here’s what’s happening in the PWHPA for the month of December 2020
Rosters for Toronto, Calgary Announced!
This past month has brought some exciting roster announcements for the PWHPA’s 2021 Dream Gap Tour. Toronto’s PWHPA team was officially announced as Team Sonnet, while Calgary was unveiled as Team Scotiabank.
Toronto’s PWHPA team is officially Team Sonnet!
Players such as Sarah Nurse, Natalie Spooner and Renata Fast will compete for the Secret® Cup for Team Sonnet. Check out all the talented players on the roster here.
Calgary’s PWHPA team is officially Team Scotiabank
In Calgary, Rebecca Johnston, Brigette Lacquette and Kacey Bellamy will lace them up for Team Scotiabank, along with a slew of incredible talent. Check out the full roster here.
Keep an eye out for more roster announcements in the new year!
A message from Jayna
As 2020 comes to a close, we can likely all acknowledge it has been a challenging one. The PWHPA has been working
diligently to navigate through the uncertainties and uncharted territories, so I would like to acknowledge our entire PWHPA community for their loyalty, understanding and patience. This includes, players, coaches, staff, board members, advisors, legal teams, partners and fans – Thank you.
Early in the year, we celebrated the incredible success of our initial Dream Gap Tour and the incredible momentum that was building for our sport. Once COVID hit, we all became challenged in so many ways, and hockey certainly took a back seat. I believe we are seeing the early signs of the momentum coming back again, and I’m proud to see our PWHPA team continue to grow.
In the past month, we have welcomed some new premier partners to the PWHPA – Sonnet Insurance and Scotiabank.Both of these companies have deep hockey roots, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our team. Our players will be proud to skate in 2021 with these companies represented so prominently on their jerseys!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and on behalf of the PWHPA, I would like to extend our sincere best wishes in 2021. Here’s to good health, more time with family and friends and the return of the Secret Dream Gap Tour!
PWHPA in the News
- PWHPA Player Kendall Coyne Schofield was named a Player Development Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks. She is the first woman to hold the position in the franchise’s history. Join us in congratulating Kendall on this well-deserved accomplishment!
- PWHPA Player Shannon Szabados added another accomplishment to her long list by writing and illustrating a children’s book. Grab your copy of Every Bunny Loves to Play on Amazon Canada or Amazon US now!
- Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd joined the PWHPA as a partner for the 2021 Secret® Dream Gap Tour. This partnership will focus on supporting the players through discounts, gift cards, prizing, and regional supplies, all of which will help cut down costs for PWHPA players during the tour. Welcome to the team, Canadian Tire!
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Click image to nominate!
The PWHPA and the Grindstone Award Foundation have partnered up to provide 50 young girls across Canada, with a Bauer helmet, gloves, skates and a stick, as a Distribution Partner through the Hockey Equipment Relief Program. To nominate a young girl who belongs to a historically marginalized group (i.e., Indigenous, Black, person of colour, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities) and/or whose family has been financially impacted by COVID-19, fill out a nomination form by December 22nd, at midnight ET!
PWHPA Player Spotlight
Get to know Kimberly Sass, goaltender for the New Hampshire region.
Photo courtesy of Split Second Photo
1) What does the PWHPA mean to you?
I am proud to be a Board Member of the PWHPA. To me, the PWHPA represents taking a stance and fighting for what you deserve. It is time for Women’s Hockey to have a viable professional league. I am happy to be dedicating my time and effort into changing the game for the future generations. Our message is powerful, goes beyond hockey/sports, and is applicable to all women!
2) Besides hockey, what do you do?
I am an Architectural Designer at HLW, an Ambassador for girls/women in STEM careers with IF/THEN, and also enjoy creating personal artwork in my spare time (@sassstudio_art)! I am excited about the art series I am working on regarding my experiences as a Professional Women’s Hockey Goaltender!
3) Favourite hockey memory?
It’s hard to select just one, but a very fond memory I have is earning 3 awards at the ECAC Awards Banquet during my freshman year with my parents and coaches in attendance!
4) Advice to your 10 year old self?
Embrace the car ride hockey chats with Dad & the pride of playing with/for your teammates!
5) Last show you binge watched?
Schitt’s Creek
6) Favourite pre-game songs?
Any kind of house music! I like to listen to some throwback Avicii songs from my college days!
Follow Kimberly Sass on: Twitter and Instagram
PWHPA Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers are an integral part to the PWHPA and, since our launch, photographers Lori Bolliger and Dave Holland have graciously donated their time and talent in order to provide professional photos for a variety of initiatives.
Photo courtesy of Lori Bolliger
Lori Bolliger plays, coaches and watches hockey and more importantly, she photographs it. One of her goals is to use her photography to help raise awareness for and contribute to the advancement of professional women’s hockey where women can enjoy the sport as a sustainable career. Connect with Lori through her website – loribolliger.com
Photo courtesy of Dave Holland
Dave Holland previously volunteered for the CWHL and currently works at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, providing elite athletes with photos, free for their own use. Connect with Dave through his website – daveholland.ca
Join us in thanking Lori & Dave for their continuing commitment to the PWHPA!
PWHPA Pet of the Month
Meet Buzz!
- Parent: PWHPA player Jocelyne Larocque
- Breed: Pomeranian / Papillon mix
- Age: 12 years
- Likes: People, soft food (he has no teeth), long walks and labelling everything!
- Dislikes: When other dogs are getting attention from people and strangers (he’s our guard dog)
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