Sports posted Jan 1, 2024 @ 06:00pm by Corvin Vaski

Inaugural PWHL game a success

It was an exciting day in the hockey community as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) dropped the puck for its inaugural season.

The match between New York and Toronto marked 125 days since the league was first announced.

<who> Photo Credit: PWHL The league’s first season will run until June 2024 and features six different teams such as Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Boston, New York and Minnesota.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who is also an advisory board member of the league, was on hand for the ceremonial puck drop.

“Finally giving women professional hockey players the structure, the support and the sport they deserve, that hockey deserves. I proudly stand here celebrating these trailblazers,” said King at the PWHL draft in September.

“And the best part? We are just getting started. The PWHL is just getting started.”

This is the line to get in for PWHL Toronto. pic.twitter.com/9ytxhTlVbn
— Mark Colley (@MarkColley) January 1, 2024

Today's game was held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

Ella Shelton scored the first goal in league history halfway through the first period en route to a 4-0 New York win.

The next game is scheduled for Tuesday as Ottawa takes on Montreal and the games will be broadcast on various networks.

Ella Shelton (@ella_shelton11) scores the first goal in PWHL HISTORY! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/oULOfmFWfi
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024

If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.