PHF talent part of Canada-USA Rivalry Series, Euro Hockey Tour, Four Nations competition
BOSTON, MA – (November 15, 2022) – The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) is proud to announce that nine players were enlisted by various national team programs to compete this month as the PHF regular season paused for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) International Break. The nine players are from five different PHF teams and representing four different countries in three international events.
“The PHF is fully committed to supporting our players and their national team goals, which is why it was important to include a break in our regular season schedule to enable these special international opportunities,” said Reagan Carey, PHF Commissioner. “As our league grows, our global reach increases. This season we have 10 countries represented in our player pool and 24 players joining with international ties from outside of North America, which more than doubles our international talent over last season. It is our responsibility to build the best environment for these elite athletes to train and compete, and makes our league better while also elevating the global competition. We are proud to be the home to some of the world’s best players.”
Boston Pride newcomers Loren Gabel and Élizabeth Giguère have both been named to Canada’s National Women’s Team roster for the first three games of the Rivalry Series against a U.S. National Women’s Team that features teammate Becca Gilmore. The series opens in Kelowna, British Columbia on Nov. 15 at 10 p.m. ET, followed by a stop in Kamloops, BC on Nov. 17 at 10 p.m. ET. The series shifts to Seattle, WA on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. ET. All games broadcast live on NHL Network and TSN, with Toronto Six President Sami Jo Small serving as a studio analyst.
Pride defender Aneta Tejralová is one of five PHF players who competed with Czechia, alongside Connecticut Whale forward Kateřina Mrázová, Minnesota Whitecaps forward Denisa Křížová, Toronto Six forward Tereza Vanišová, and T6 defender Dominika Lásková. The reigning IIHF Women’s World Championship bronze medalists took part in the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour Nov. 8-12, which also included Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. Defender Taylor Baker of the Montreal Force joined Hungary in a Four Nations event that includes Norway, Slovakia, and host France.
“Representing Canada is always a huge honor,” said Gabel. “Every time you get to put the maple leaf on you are a part of something that is so much bigger than yourself, and that feeling will never get old.”
Gabel was a member of Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, however the Rivalry Series will mark the first senior national team competition for Giguère and Gilmore following their participation in summer showcase development camps. They will bring the PHF total to 37 players who have experience at some of the highest levels for their national programs which represents over 25% of the league. Baker, Křížová, Lásková, Mrázová, and Tejralová were recently among nine PHF players who competed in the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark, while Vanišová last represented Czechia at the 2022 Olympics.
The PHF regular season schedule resumes with six upcoming games to be played Nov. 18-20 including a trio of doubleheaders between Boston at Minnesota, Toronto at Metropolitan, and Buffalo at Connecticut. Visit ESPNplus.com and TSN.ca for broadcast details.
About the Premier Hockey Federation
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. As part of a two-year agreement with ESPN, live coverage of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 PHF seasons is available exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States, and provides international rights for games which includes TSN in Canada. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.
