The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) announced today via press release that training camp for international players would be held this upcoming July 23 – 27, 2015 in Wilmington and Marlborough, MA. The camp will be run by the first named head coach in the league, Bobby Jay, who will be behind the bench of the Boston Pride in October.
The NWHL’s dedication to paying its players, even as a part-time profession, is what allows them to bring international players into the United States to live while they play for the league. This is the first time a women’s hockey league will be able to bring international athletes into the country for the sole purpose of playing hockey.
This was a problem the Canadian Women’s Hockey League ran into when it required its athletes to play free, and was cited as an issue by current and former players, many of whom were frustrated by the restrictions it presented.
NWHL Boston Pride free agent hopeful Brittany Ott makes a save on Katie Maroney (no. 8) during training camp in Ristuccia Arena. Mandatory Photo Credit: Right Angle Studios
One of the reasons the U.S. players were confined to one team — and one reason why the Boston Blades roster was so stacked with Olympic talent — was the CWHL’s inability to sponsor its American players in Canada. While that’s great for creating a dynasty, as the Blades appeared in the last three Clarkson Cup Finals and won two of them, it doesn’t make spreading talent around easy at all.
Julie Chu is the sole U.S. player to suit up for a team other than the Blades. She did so in the winter of 2013 by working as an assistant coach at Union College in Schenectady, NY, and commuting regularly to Canada in order to take the ice with the Montreal Stars. The hours that
The NWHL has already cleared that hurdle by promising paychecks to its players.
International players will have to apply for a temporary worker visa, possibly under an O-1 (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement) or an P-1A (Internationally Recognized Athlete), which seems more likely.
NWHL founder and commissioner Dani Rylan stated in the press release that the NWHL is committed to including international athletes.
A young girl and fan looks on at the free agents attending the NWHL training camp. Mandatory photo credit: Right Angle Studios
“As we become the premier destination for women’s hockey, it’s our goal to not only attract the best talent from here in the U.S., but also around the world, and we are making it a priority to welcome women from all nations to play in [the] league,” Rylan said.
The league is expecting players from Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Japan. A possible attendee is Finnish goalie, Noora Räty, who protested the low pay, challenge and availability of women’s pro hockey after the 2014 Sochi Olympics will be attending the camp. She signed a contract in March of 2014 to play in a men’s Finnish league, Kiekko Vantaa, and if she has re-signed with them, it has not yet been made public.
Even if Räty isn’t in attendance that doesn’t mean we won’t see her come puck drop in October. Boston Pride GM Hayley Moore told reporters at the Boston training camp that players could be rostered even if they were unable to make the camps. We may even see some Canadians willing to head south for the promise of pay for play.
“We’re looking forward to this camp, which will also serve as the final chance for women to show us their game before we finalize our rosters,” Rylan said. As free agency ends in mid-August, the clock is ticking down on players who have so far been unable to make it to a camp.
Per the press release,
“The camp will consist of a skills session on July 23 at Ristuccia Memorial Arena in Wilmington, Mass., as well as participation in the AAA Division of the Beantown Classic at NESC in Marlboro, Mass., where international camp attendees will play against an existing group of prospect NWHL players.
Registration for players is currently open to all international athletes considered to be free agents, which includes those who have completed a college degree prior to the draft date. Free agency ends on August 17, making this camp one of the last changes for players to be considered for the league before the four teams finalize rosters for the 2015-16 season, which begins in October 2015.”