The Premier Hockey Federation’s (PHF) newest franchise now has a name, logo, and identity. Ready to embark on its inaugural season, the PHF’s seventh franchise will be known as the Montreal Force.
“We wanted a powerful name to distinguish ourselves in this amazing hockey market and represent who we are across the women’s sports landscape,” said Montreal team president Kevin Raphaël in a statement. “We are a force, both on and off the ice, with strong and confident women who will showcase their strength in all facets from competition to community involvement. We are a family of difference makers and role models who will make our province proud.”
According to the PHF, the team’s name is “symbolic of the team’s energy and commitment to the strength of character, community impact, and on-ice ferocity.” Montreal will wear three jerseys this season – maroons, black, and white – each featuring the fleur-de-lis styled “F” as the primary logo.
Montreal has populated much of their roster already this off-season featuring several signings from the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). According to league commissioner Reagan Carey, she believes the team is well positioned to be competitive immediately.
“The work ethic and winning mindset of the Montreal franchise during this offseason in preparation for their official entry into the 2022-23 season confirms this team will truly be a ‘Force’ in the PHF,” said Carey. “That all starts with the energy and passion from Kevin Raphaël and his team, right through to the players who have committed to the PHF, and the positive support that’s being generated across the province of Quebec. Introducing the Montreal Force is a big step forward for the organization and the PHF as we continue building our new era with historic growth. We can’t wait for the puck to drop and to see the Force in action.”
The Montreal Force will play home games across the province of Quebec this season with no home arena for games, although the team will practice and train at Center 21.02 in Montreal. According to the Force, they are currently confirming dates and locations for the 2022-2023 home schedule, which they anticipate to include stops in Montreal, Gatineau, Quebec City, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Saint-Jérôme, and Sept-Îles.
Currently, the Force have 16 players signed, although president Kevin Raphaël has yet to hire a coaching staff to lead the team into the season. Montreal is the second Canadian franchise in the PHF after the league expanded to include the Toronto Six in 2020.
