January 29 showcase, presented by Air Canada and Sailun Tire, features American, Canadian, and Global teams competing live on ESPN2 and TSN; First time event will be held in Canada
BOSTON, MA – (December 15, 2022) – The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that its 2023 All-Star weekend will take place in Toronto, Ontario with a pinnacle showcase event on Sunday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Presented by Air Canada and Sailun Tire, this year’s format will include three teams comprised of American, Canadian, and Global talents selected from all seven PHF clubs and representing their countries in a mini round-robin competition and championship. The game will be broadcast live across the United States on ESPN2 and in Canada on TSN.
“This season we have the opportunity to showcase the record breaking depth of our player pool that includes more Canadian and international players than ever before,” said Reagan Carey, PHF Commissioner. “Featuring the best of the PHF across three teams with national pride on the line helps demonstrate where we are headed as a league and our vision to be part of the global game in a major way. Bringing our new PHF era and foundation to a place like Toronto, a city steeped in hockey tradition, and a venue like the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens, is a great opportunity for the league and our athletes and a perfect fit for our first Canadian All-Star event. The primetime broadcast on ESPN2 and TSN exposes our game to one of our largest audiences ever, and we look forward to putting on a great show for our viewers at home and the passionate fans attending in Toronto.”
The 2023 All-Star logo was designed by HEARTLENT Group, the PHF’s recently announced agency of record. Featuring the league’s intertwining U.S. Crown and Canadian Shield, the logo also highlights Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, and historic Maple Leaf Gardens which is known as one of Canada’s original ‘hockey cathedrals’. Built in 1931, the former home of the Toronto Maple Leafs was the site of the original NHL All-Star Game played in 1947, and has been reconstructed into the current Mattamy Athletic Centre and arena for Toronto Metropolitan University. The ‘New Foundation’ theme is emblematic of the PHF in a year guided by new leadership, expansion, upgraded facilities, and increased player salaries and benefits among the numerous enhancements to grow professional women’s hockey for future generations.
“I can’t wait for the fans in Toronto to be able to experience the PHF All-Star game live,” said Sami Jo Small, Toronto Six President. “For the players in the PHF, playing this game in one of the largest, most energetic hockey markets in the world will be an incredible showcase for the talent within the league, and your presence in our community will help inspire many young hockey players and fans. We have some of the best women’s hockey fans in the world here in Toronto and they are going to be thrilled and amazed by the incredible skill of the PHF players.”
For the first time in PHF history, the All-Star event will take place in Canada. The 2022 showcase was originally slated for Toronto, but relocated to Buffalo as a result of the province’s COVID-19 restrictions last January. Team Dempsey, captained by Boston’s Jillian Dempsey emerged victorious in the three-team round-robin series, with T6 goaltender Elaine Chuli earning MVP honors. Previous All-Star events were held in Boston (2020), Nashville (2019), Minnesota (2018), Pittsburgh (2017), and Buffalo (2016).
Team captains and full rosters will be announced over the coming weeks, along with competition details. Information on ancillary events such as a Hockey Hall of Fame reception, community outreach initiatives, game promotions, and ticket details are also still to come.
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.
