Team USA reclaims gold — How your favorite trophies got their names — Must-click women’s hockey links

This week’s edition of Hockey Friday is brought to you by The Ice Garden, a website dedicated to women’s hockey coverage. This newsletter was written by lead PWHPA writer Simon Hopkins.

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Women’s Worlds

Nicole Haase – Gold and Bronze Medal Games

Team USA takes the cake. Happy birthday to me.

I’ve celebrated my fair share of Canadian victories, so I can’t be too disappointed. In all honesty, it was a pretty exciting win and a special one for a group of players who, let’s face it, will only play in a few more tournaments.

Hilary Knight, the all-time leading scorer at this tournament, completed a hat trick to win the game. Wearing the C proudly on her chest, she lifted the trophy over her head, celebrating a comeback she led.

The Ice Garden Staff – 2024 Worlds coming to Utica

The 2024 world championships will be held in Utica, N.Y. The two arenas to host the tournament seat about 4,000 and 1,200 fans. More can be found in The Ice Garden’s quick update.

PHF

Leighann Strollo – Connecticut Whale sign Olympic gold medalist Kacey Bellamy

Bellamy will be back in the PHF. The 35-year-old defender played six seasons in the CWHL, two in the PHF and two in the PWHPA. She was an acclaimed member of the US national team for twelve seasons. She has signed a six-figure contract to play next year for the Connecticut Whale.

Ian Kennedy – No Issue of Pride in the PHF

The NHL faced controversy throughout the 2022-23 as multiple players refused to participate in various pride events. Kennedy highlights the success of pride events over the last season in the PHF.

PWHPA

Ian Kennedy – PWHL Contract Details Emerge

Documents obtained by The Hockey News revealed details and the existence of contracts for PWHPA players. It also unveiled and confirmed some details for the prospective PWHL, which has been rumoured to be coming soon for years.

Hockey Canada

The following contains discussion of sexual assault

Rachel Brady – Ottawa restores funding to Hockey Canada with conditions

Hockey Canada is the governing body which oversees almost all minor and developmental hockey in Canada. They also manage most national hockey programs, including the women’s national and U18 teams.

Last year, it was revealed that there were multiple sexual assault claims against players and coaches associated with Hockey Canada, including members of Canada’s men’s U20 team. The Globe and Mail then reported that Hockey Canada had dedicated funds used to settle, among other things, sexual-abuse claims.

The federal government, who partially funds Hockey Canada, suspended all funding following the reports. After months of review, certain conditions and a complete turnover in the Hockey Canada executive team, the federal minister for sport announced they would restore the funding.

The Canadian Press – Restoration of Hockey Canada’s federal funding under fire

Following the announcement by the minister to restore Hockey Canada’s funding, opposition members of parliament criticized the decision. The government faced questions in the House, with members from multiple opposition parties calling the decision premature. The main contention seems to be an ongoing issue regarding NDAs.

Shireen Ahmed – Hockey Canada funding announcement took focus off women’s game

Ahmed noted the timing of the announcement by the government to restore federal funding. It came moments before puck drop in Sunday’s gold medal game. She called the timing inconsiderate and said it took the focus off the game.

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What’s in a name?

Ever wonder how a trophy got its name? Here’s a look at some of the coolest awards
in women’s hockey.

Isobel Cup (PHF) This trophy is awarded to the playoff winners in the PHF. It was named the Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Cup at the league’s inauguration after Lord Stanley’s daughter, Isobel. Lord Stanley, a former Governor General of Canada, purchased a silver cup in the 1890s to be awarded to the best amateur hockey team — later named the Stanley Cup — now awarded to the champions of the NHL, a professional men’s hockey league. Lady Isobel encouraged her father to purchase the trophy as an avid hockey fan herself. She was known to skate and play hockey on the ice rink on the Governor General’s residence grounds. She is considered the first photographed female hockey player.

Clarkson Cup (CWHL) The NHL missed the 2004-05 season due to a labor dispute. The Canadian Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson, suggested that the Stanley Cup be awarded to the best professional women’s hockey team for that year. The CWHL commissioner wasn’t on board but thought the previously unnamed CWHL trophy should be named for Clarkson, seeing as the Stanley Cup was named for a Canadian Governor General. Clarkson supported the idea and commissioned various Indigenous artists to design and create the trophy. The Clarkson Cup was awarded until the CWHL folded in 2019.

Patty Kazmaier Award (NCAA) Kazmaier was an all-star hockey player at Princeton in the 80s. The award for the most valuable player in NCAA women’s hockey is named in her memory. Kazmaier played defense for four seasons with the Princeton Tigers and won the Ivy League championship three times. At the age of 28, Kazmaier died of a rare blood disease.

Golden Path Trophy (U Sports) This trophy was donated by Katherine Cartwright, an historic figure in university hockey. Cartwright, a student at Queens University, re-established a recreational women’s hockey league at the school. She would participate in the growth of university hockey in the following years. It was in 1963 that the first league, including university women’s hockey, would be established in Ontario, with other regions of the country following suit. In 1998, the first national tournament was held, for which Cartwright donated a trophy. She was also influential in establishing other women’s hockey associations outside of university sports.

Brodrick Trophy (U Sports) The trophy awarded to the Canadian university women’s hockey MVP is named for a father-daughter duo: Dr. Robert (Doc) and Laurie Brodrick. Doc was an accomplished university hockey player in the 40s. He played football and hockey at Loyola College, later incorporated into Concordia University, and was captain of the McGill hockey team while in medical school. His McGill team won a championship in 1945. Laurie followed in her father’s footsteps, playing hockey for Loyola in the 70s. The 1973-74 team went undefeated in their season, leading to multiple tournament wins. The team outscored opponents 66-0. In 2008, the entire team roster was inducted into the Concordia University sports hall of fame. Doc is a member of both the Concordia and McGill halls of fame. Laurie died of cancer in 1994 and Doc died in 2015, aged 92. U Sports recognizes the two for their vision for the development of women’s hockey.

Mondays: Soccer

By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer

Tuesdays: Tennis

By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer

Wednesdays: Basketball

By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The Next

Thursdays: Golf

By: Addie Parker, @addie_parker, The IX

Fridays: Hockey

By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden

Saturdays: Gymnastics

By: Lela Moore, @runlelarun, Freelance Writer