Summer is over! Sorry. But that means hockey is back! And we get to kick off this season with hopefully the silliest of Septembers in the PWHL. The six GMs of the league have been announced, and they're allowed to get to work sorting their rosters, starting with a free agency period where they can sign three skaters (or goalies).
We sans had a signing on the opening day of silly season, but here's hoping Saturday or Sunday provide a chance for scrutiny. We'll have full coverage of all Toronto [insert team name here] news, of course. We're all so excited for what this new league and season will bring. And we hope you are, too!
Cathy Squires
Cathy Squires
Cathy Squires
PWHL
And while it's all well-and-good to say Free Agency is open! It's important to know who the free agents are. My story on the potential first 18 (that ended up being 32) players is linked below, along with this story by Emily Sadler on where the biggest stars in the game could go.
Emily Sadler
Hardev
Other teams exist, too, apparently. Here's some words on Montreal's GM and hwo things are shaping up in the nation's capital.
Jared Book
Hirshfeld says the Ottawa 67s and management team are building a brand new dressing room at TD Place for the #PWHL team. "That process has started and will be ready by the time our players arrive."
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) September 1, 2023
The GM also believes the facilities at TD Place Arena are the best in the PWHL.…
Michael Hirshfeld, the new PWHL Ottawa GM, just told us that team will be sharing a facility with the Ottawa 67s. Says the 67s are also working on a new dressing room for the team.
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) September 1, 2023
One last thing to cover, the national teams are going to be under a new circumstance with the pro women's league shaping up. Gina Kingsbury, now GM of Toronto and former boss of the Canadian national team, said in her press conference that national teams are going to get less time with their players. Perhaps this becomes a best for all parties scenario as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey have sort of had to fill the void of club teams this whole time.
USA Hockey and Hockey Canada have gotten used to centralizing their women's teams FOR MONTHS ahead of the Olympics.
— Alex Azzi (@ByAlexAzzi) September 1, 2023
That's going to change with the PWHL, Gina Kingsbury confirms.
Now to the least interesting player of the month, Conor Timmins. Sorry, Conor.
Brian S
Elias Lindholm is "willing to stay" in Calgary, which is music to the ears of that town.
"I am willing to stay..." is a fascinating quote that many will hang on to when it comes to Elias Lindholm.
— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) September 1, 2023
Sounds pretty consistent with what @reporterchris has said.
But I am just as intrigued about "...if things don't go as I've planned, then I'll become a free agent." https://t.co/nTeUcyp0qS
The NHL wants to go more international after the success of their global series in traditional hockey countries, but then in Melbourne. Would've been cool if they went to some Olympics once in a while, though.
