National Women's Hockey League
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The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) is the highest level of women's ice hockey in the world. The league was established in 1999, and consists of eleven teams in Canada and one in Minnesota. Its founding commissioner was Brampton, Ontario mayor Susan Fennell; she held the position from the inaugural stages in 1999, through its first season in 2000 to July 14, 2006. The league was expanded on July 13, 2006 when it absorbed the teams of the Western Women's Hockey League. Expansion is planned into the USA.
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[edit] NWHL Franchises
With the addition of the WWHL franchise, the NWHL has realigned its divisions for 2006-07. The former WWHL teams will play in the Western Division, while the NWHL Eastern and Central division teams will play in the Central Division.
[edit] Central Division
- Brampton Thunder, Brampton, Ontario (founded 1999)
- Oakville Ice, Oakville, Ontario (founded 1999 as Mississauga Chiefs, became Ice Bears in 2000, moved to Oakville 2003)
- Etobicoke Dolphins, Etobicoke, Ontario (founded 2000 as ClearNET Lightning became TELUS in 2001)
- Toronto Aeros, Toronto, Ontario (founded 1999 as Beatrice Aeros, became Toronto in 2003)
- Montreal Axion, Montreal, Quebec (founded 1999 as Montreal Wingstar, became Axion in 2003)
- Ottawa Raiders, Ottawa, Ontario (founded 1999)
- Quebec Avalanche, Quebec City, Quebec (founded 1999 as Sainte-Julie Panthères, became Le Cheyennes de la Metropol in 2001, moved to Quebec in 2002)
[edit] Western Division
- British Columbia Breakers, Langley, British Columbia (2006-) (played in WWHL 2004-06)
- Calgary Oval X-Treme, Calgary, Alberta (2002-2004, 2006-) (played in WWHL 2004-06)
- Edmonton Chimos, Edmonton, Alberta (2002-2004, 2006-) (played in WWHL 2004-06)
- Minnesota Whitecaps, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (2006-) (played in WWHL 2004-06)
- Saskatchewan Prairie Ice, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (2006-) (played in WWHL 2004-06)
[edit] Defunct teams
- Laval Le Mistral (1999-2001)
- Montréal Jofa-Titan (1999-2000)
- Scarborough Sting (1999-2000)/Toronto Sting (2000-2001)
- Vancouver Griffins (2001-2003)
[edit] Championship
The championship of the NWHL is awarded the NWHL Championship Cup.
A list of NWHL winners (winner is in bold):
- 2006 - Montreal Axion vs Brampton Thunder, in Brampton
- 2005 - Toronto Aeros vs Montreal Axion, hosted in Brampton
- 2004 - Calgary Oval X-Treme vs Brampton Thunder, hosted in Brampton
- 2003 - Calgary Oval X-Treme vs Beatrice Aeros, hosted in Brampton
- 2002 - Beatrice Aeros vs Brampton Thunder
- 2001 - Beatrice Aeros vs Sainte-Julie Panthères
- 2000 - Beatrice Aeros vs Sainte-Julie Panthères, hosted in Brampton
