Canadian Women’s Hockey League to Host First All-Star Game

Coming off the heels of its first-ever broadcast deal, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League announced yesterday it will hold its first annual All-Star Game on Dec. 13 in Toronto.

The game, which will be free, will be at the Air Canada Center (home of the Toronto Maple Leafs). It is another big step forward for women’s hockey and for a league that is working hard for fan engagement on a limited budget.

“The Inaugural CWHL ALL-Star Game presents an incredible opportunity for the league to showcase its top talent, both in person at the Air Canada and through our broadcast deal with Sportsnet,” said CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress. “As we grow the league and its fan base, it seems only natural to add an event like this to our annual calendar of exceptional sporting entertainment.”

The 40 CWHL All-Star players, including 19 Olympians and National Team members, have been pre-selected by the players themselves, coaches and CWHL team management. Fans will get a chance to vote for the captain of each All-Star team after players are announced on Nov. 20. Online voting will take place Nov. 29 to Dec. 10. After captains are decided, there will be a private draft on Dec. 12 when the captains will pick the first five players. The remaining players will be chosen at random.

The CWHL All-Star game will feature a skills competition and two full periods of hockey. The CWHL aims to provide an NHL-game experience feel at the event, only with professional women’s hockey.

The game will be broadcast on Sportsnet as part of the CWHL’s new broadcast deal.

Currently the CWHL consists of five teams: the Toronto Furies, Boston Blades, Brampton Thunder, Calgary Inferno and Montreal Stars. 

Fans can RSVP to the game at mapleleafs.com/cwhlallstar.