2021–22 PHF season

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

League business

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

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

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
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
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

Standings

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[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] RW OTW SOW GF GA Diff PIM
Connecticut Whale2015324715007444+30142
Toronto Six2016314613306645+21154
Boston Pride201055327214847+1152
Metropolitan Riveters207121216105465-11195
Minnesota Whitecaps206131196006264-12202
Buffalo Beauts206140153304473-29176
  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

All times listed are Eastern Time.

Regular season schedule
DateVisitorScoreHomeOTNotes
November 6Connecticut1–4Metropolitan
Toronto4–3Buffalo
Minnesota4–6Boston
November 7Minnesota0–1Boston
Connecticut6–5Metropolitan
November 13Boston4–3ConnecticutOT
November 14Boston1–3Connecticut
November 20Connecticut1–5Toronto
Buffalo4–3MetropolitanOT
Boston0–2Minnesota
November 21Connecticut2–3Toronto
Boston2–1MinnesotaOT
Buffalo3–5Metropolitan
December 4Minnesota1–5Connecticut
Toronto1–2BostonSO
December 5Minnesota2–4Connecticut
Toronto2–8Boston
December 11Metropolitan1–2Toronto
Buffalo—MinnesotaPostponed[16]
December 12Metropolitan0–3Toronto
Buffalo—MinnesotaPostponed[16]
December 18Boston—MetropolitanPostponed[17]
Connecticut3–1Buffalo
Toronto4–0Minnesota
December 19Toronto2–1Minnesota
Connecticut3–1Buffalo
Boston—MetropolitanPostponed[17]
January 8Minnesota—TorontoPostponed[18]
Boston—BuffaloPostponed[18]
January 9Boston—BuffaloPostponed[18]
Minnesota—TorontoPostponed[18]
January 15Metropolitan1–5Connecticut
Buffalo1–6Toronto
January 16Buffalo3–8Toronto
Metropolitan2–3Connecticut
January 22Toronto—ConnecticutPostponed[19]
Minnesota3–1Buffalo
Metropolitan1–3Boston
January 23Toronto—ConnecticutPostponed[19]
Minnesota6–1Buffalo
Metropolitan4–3Boston
February 5Connecticut3–2Boston
Buffalo1–8MinnesotaRescheduled from December 11[20]
February 6Buffalo6–2MinnesotaRescheduled from December 12[20]
Connecticut6–1Boston
February 12Minnesota2–6TorontoRescheduled from January 8[21]
Metropolitan2–3Buffalo
February 13Minnesota1–2TorontoRescheduled from January 9[21]
Metropolitan3–2Buffalo
February 19Metropolitan2–5Minnesota
February 20Metropolitan7–4Minnesota
February 21Toronto0–3Buffalo
February 26Toronto4–3Metropolitan
Buffalo3–4Boston
February 27Buffalo0–1Boston
Toronto3-2Metropolitan
March 5Boston2–0MetropolitanRescheduled from December 18[21]
Connecticut4–2Minnesota
March 6Connecticut4–1Minnesota
Boston2–3MetropolitanOTRescheduled from December 19[21]
March 12Minnesota4-2Metropolitan
Boston1-2TorontoOT
Buffalo3-5Connecticut
March 13Boston3–4TorontoOT
Buffalo0-4Connecticut
Minnesota3–4Metropolitan
March 19Toronto5-4ConnecticutOTRescheduled from January 22[22]
Boston1-2BuffaloOTRescheduled from January 8[21]
March 20Boston2-3BuffaloOTRescheduled from January 9[21]
Toronto0-5ConnecticutRescheduled from January 23[22]

Playoffs

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
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 – pp – Kali Flanagan – (McKenna Brand, Kaleigh Fratkin)
15:14 – Jillian Dempsey – (McKenna Brand, Evelina Raselli)
No scoring Third period 11:03 – pp – Christina 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
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 – en – Allie Thunstrom – (Haley Mack) Third period No scoring
Amanda Leveille (32 saves / 33 shots) Goalie stats Brooke Wolejko (29 saves / 32 shots)

Connecticut vs. Minnesota
March 27 Minnesota 2 – 4 Connecticut Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Allie Thunstrom – (Patti Marshall, Haley Mack)
15:29 – pp – Ashleigh 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
March 27 Boston 5 – 1 Toronto Recap  
15:39 – pp – Christina Putigna – (Lauren Kelly, Mallory Souliotis)
16:07 – pp – Kali Flanagan – (Kaleigh Fratkin)
17:53 – Kayla Friesen – (Kali Flanagan, McKenna Brand)		 First period 19:26 – pp – Breanne Wilson-Bennett – (Brooke Boquist, Taylor Woods)
03:40 – Evelina Raselli Second period No scoring
8:08 – pp – Taylor 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
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 – en – Jenna Rheault		 Third period No scoring
Katie Burt (32 saves / 34 shots) Goalie stats Abbie Ives (26 saves / 29 shots)

All-Star Game
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

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

References
  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. "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. Krotz, Paul. "PHF Announces BUF/MIN Games Postponed". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  17. Krotz. "PHF Announces BOS/MET Games Postponed". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  18. Krotz (January 5, 2022). "PHF Announces Jan 8-9 Games Postponed". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  19. "PHF Announces TOR/CTW Games Postponed; Updated COVID-19 Protocols". Premier Hockey Federation. January 21, 2022.
  20. Krotz, Paul (December 16, 2021). "PHF Announces BUF/MIN Games Rescheduled". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  21. Krotz, Paul (January 14, 2022). "PHF Announces Rescheduling Of Three Weekend Series". Premier Hockey Federation.
  22. 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. 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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