CWHL Names Players for First All-Star Game

The Canadian Women’s Hockey League has named the 42 players selected to participate in the league’s inaugural all-star game on Dec. 13 in Toronto.

The players – 23 forwards, 13 defensemen and six goaltenders – were chosen from all five teams in the league (Boston Blades, Brampton Thunder, Montreal Stars, Calgary Inferno, and the Toronto Furies). Staff, coaches and players themselves made the selections based on skills, leadership, community engagement and commitment to the league and the sport.

Fans will vote online from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10 to choose the captains of the two teams. A private draft on Dec. 12 will determine the rosters for each team.

On Dec. 13, the game at the Air Canada Center will air live on Sportsnet as part of the CWHL’s new four-year broadcast deal.  The game will be free to attend, though fans are asked to RSVP for tickets.

“These 42 players represent the immense commitment, skill, passion and talent found within our league,” said CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress. “We are proud to recognize each of them with this invitation. WIth the support of the Toronto Maple Leafs, we have made the All-Star Game a free event for our fans, consistent with our league mission to provide exceptional hockey entertainment at family friendly prices.”

The players selected are:

Goaltenders (six)

• Delayne Brian (Winnipeg, Man./Calgary Inferno)
• Erica Howe (Ottawa, Ont./Brampton Thunder)
• Christina Kessler (Toronto, Ont./Toronto Furies)
• Charline Labonté (Boisbriand, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Geneviève Lacasse (Kingston, Ont./Boston Blades)
• Sami Jo Small (Winnipeg, Man./Toronto Furies)

Defensemen (13)

• Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass./Boston Blades)
• Courtney Birchard (Mississauga, Ont./Brampton Thunder)
• Michelle Bonello (Mississauga, Ont./Toronto Furies)
• Tessa Bonhomme (Sudbury, Ont./Toronto Furies)
• Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Toronto Furies)
• Cathy Chartrand (Nominigue, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Laura Fortino (Hamilton, Ont./Brampton Thunder)
• Alyssa Gagliardi (Raleigh, N.C./Boston Blades)
• Jocelyne Larocque (Ste. Anne, Man./Brampton Thunder)
• Shannon Moulson (Mississauga, Ont./Toronto Furies)
• Lauriane Rougeau (Beaconsfield, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, Ont./Boston Blades)
• Jessica Wong (Baddeck, N.S./Calgary Inferno)

Forwards (23)

• Anne-Sophie Bettez (Sept-Iles, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Emmanuelle Blais (Lasalle, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Blake Bolden (Cleveland, Ohio/Boston Blades)
• Lisa-Marie Breton-Lebreux (St-Zachaire, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Jessica Campbell (Melville, Sask./Calgary Inferno)
• Julie Chu (Bridgeport, Conn./Montreal Stars)
• Jenna Cunningham (Medicine Hat, Alta./Calgary Inferno)
• Sarah Davis (Paradise, N.L./Calgary Inferno)
• Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wisc./Boston Blades)
• Meghan Duggan (Danvers, Mass./Boston Blades)
• Brittany Esposito (Edmonton, Alta./Calgary Inferno)
• Carly Hill (Pointe-Claire, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, Ont./Calgary Inferno)
• Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont./Calgary Inferno)
• Jess Jones (Picton, Ont./Brampton Thunder)
• Hilary Knight (San Francisco, Calif./Boston Blades)
• Jenelle Kohanchuk (Winnipeg, Man./Toronto Furies)
• Carly Mercer (Exeter, Ont./Brampton Thunder)
• Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Que./Montreal Stars)
• Carolyne Prevost (Sarnia, Ont./Toronto Furies)
• Jamie-Lee Rattray (Kanata, Ont./Brampton Thunder)
• Natalie Spooner (Scarborough, Ont./Toronto Furies)
• Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio/Boston Blades)

Click here for more information on the CWHL All Star Game.