The Premier Hockey Federation has arrived in the Arizona desert for one final weekend to crown its 2022-23 champion and to grow the game by showcasing the best of professional women’s hockey to fans in a new market.
“It’s awesome, obviously it’s exciting to be in some nice weather and finally get here and get ready to play the game on Sunday,” said T6 forward Michela Cava. “This rink is amazing so it’s really nice to be able to try out the ice. I think it’s kind of fun to go somewhere you haven’t been all season, try out a different arena and see new college and NHL facilities. It’s a pretty awesome experience to be able to play here.”
Mullett Arena 📍
We here. pic.twitter.com/c3hLKzE3YJ
— PHF (@PHF) March 25, 2023
Both Toronto and Minnesota arrived on Thursday and hit the Mullett Arena ice for the first time during Friday’s practices, also finding time to catch some sun by the hotel pool and explore Tempe and the Arizona State University campus. They’ll skate again on Saturday and then watch as the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes host the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Sunday ahead of the Isobel Cup final.
Jonna Albers and Natalie Snodgrass of @WhitecapsHockey kicked off their arrival in AZ by attending the @Athletics vs @Rangers spring training game! Thank you to @SurpriseStadium for hosting 🏒⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wsAKjHzCaR
— PHF (@PHF) March 24, 2023
“It feels awesome, I think a lot of us woke up today and can’t believe we get to play hockey in Arizona,” said Whitecaps forward Natalie Snodgrass. “The vibe has been great and the weather has been phenomenal with some time in the sun which is a bonus. To come to Arizona is really special and being in a neutral site like this just gets everyone fired up. Hopefully we can spread the PHF audience around to the west coast. A lot of family and friends are making the trip and it’s going to be special to see them.”
Commissioner @reagan_carey helped launch Isobel Cup Championship weekend in Arizona by throwing out the first pitch before the @Cubs hosted the @Rangers at @SloanParkMesa. pic.twitter.com/3S4l4ezGlX
— PHF (@PHF) March 25, 2023
Hockey isn’t the only activity on the Arizona calendar this weekend. Upon arrival, Snodgrass and teammate Jonna Albers were guests at Surprise Stadium for a Cactus League Spring Training baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics. Commissioner Reagan Carey also had the opportunity to hit the diamond and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Rangers played the Cubs at Sloan Park on Friday. Even before the two finalists arrived, Boston Pride defender Kali Flanagan represented the PHF on the links Wednesday at the LPGA Drive On Championship’s Pro-Am event at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.
.@TheBostonPride player @flanagko does it all 🏒⛳️@PHFpic.twitter.com/omXVzic933
— LPGA (@LPGA) March 23, 2023
There’s also a slate of community engagement opportunities for players from both teams at various youth practices including the Arizona Kachinas girls 14U squad that enjoyed the company of several PHF stars at Coyotes Community Ice Center on Friday. Players are also scheduled to visit a Boys and Girls Club in Scottsdale for a roller hockey event and help out at Little Leighton’s Girls Learn to Play program along with other youth and adult programming.
“As soon as we landed it started to set in that we’ve made it this far and it’s going to be an absolute battle on Sunday and we’re all super excited for it,” said T6 defender Kati Tabin, who joined the Kachinas practice after the first T6 skate. “The girls were working really hard out there and just having fun. It was a great time. It’s always good giving back, especially in a place like this where women’s hockey isn’t that present, it’s great to get out here and showcase our league.”
Members of @TheTorontoSix and @WhitecapsHockey enjoyed practicing with the @arizonakachinas at @Coyotes_CIC 👏 pic.twitter.com/OuRSGzjYXp
— PHF (@PHF) March 25, 2023
Tabin and T6 teammates Shiann Darkangelo, Taylor Davison, and Courtney Gardiner were all on the ice with the Kachinas along with Whitecaps Amanda Leveille, Ronja Mogren, Liz Schepers, and Sidney Morin. They started off the skate with some backchecking drills, played some mini games, and finished with a shootout.
“It was awesome, we want to grow the game everywhere in the United States but especially in these communities and show these girls that there is a future in hockey,” Morin said. “It’s special to be out there with girls who just love the game and it was a fun thing to be a part of. I hope girls all over the country look up to players and teams in this league as well. It’s special to play in a place where they don’t usually see women’s hockey so hopefully we can impact some people. We’re going to give them our best game of the season, our last game of the season, so it’ll be exciting.”
Join us before our championship game on Sunday for a Girls & Womens empowerment pregame party!
RSVP: https://t.co/mnTZgj5e2epic.twitter.com/XGjUaXCAQS
— PHF (@PHF) March 24, 2023
Before Sunday’s puck drop the PHF will also be hosting a Girls/Women’s Empowerment Pregame Party at the Mullett Arena plaza. The event is hosted by Erica Ayala and features panelists like Olympic gold medalist and eight-time World Champion Kacey Bellamy, Olympian Lyndsey Fry who is also president of the Kachinas Girls Hockey Association, ASU Women’s Basketball head coach Natasha Adair, and Riveters captain Madison Packer. Fans can RSVP for the pregame party online.
Hey fans, @ksauve32 here! I’ll be taking over social media for an exciting weekend of hockey 🌵 #IsobelCup2023pic.twitter.com/4IZIKJzu6d
Be sure to follow the PHF all weekend long in Arizona on social media with guest correspondent Kassidy Sauvé of the Buffalo Beauts who is taking over the league’s platforms to give fans a closer look at the Isobel Cup Championship.
Don’t miss any of Sunday’s action at 9:00 p.m. ET live on ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN3, and TSN5. Tickets are also still available.
