Canada and the United States renew their rivalry on the ice Saturday night, with players hoping the first in a series of five games between the national teams will help kindle the publicB次元官网网址檚 interest in both their sport and their fight off the ice for better professional opportunities.
The rivalry series is the first major international competition since more than 200 members of what has since become the Professional WomenB次元官网网址檚 Hockey PlayersB次元官网网址� Association announced in May they would not play professionally in North America during the 2019-2020 season.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important for people to watch us play and see the level of talent and entertainment thatB次元官网网址檚 out there,B次元官网网址� U.S. forward Amanda Kessel said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 getting that understanding that we need to help get us a place to play year-round so that people can see us more than five times a year.B次元官网网址�
The women are seeking a professional league that provides a living wage, health insurance, infrastructure and support for training. The Canadian WomenB次元官网网址檚 Hockey League shut down in the spring after 12 years of operation, leaving only the five-team National WomenB次元官网网址檚 Hockey League, where most players make less than $10,000 a season.
Sarah Nurse, a forward for Team Canada, whose cousin Kia Nurse plays in the WNBA, said players are hoping to get support from the NHL, which has, so far, expressed little interest in investing in a womenB次元官网网址檚 league.
B次元官网网址淲e can look at (the WNBA) and see that womenB次元官网网址檚 sports have value and they have a place in this world,B次元官网网址� said Nurse, who made $2,000 last season playing in the CWHL. B次元官网网址淭hat is definitely a model that we look to.B次元官网网址�
The rivalry series was created after the Four Nations Cup in Sweden was cancelled when top Swedish players pulled out of national team events due to concerns over their salary and working conditions.
Without a viable pro league, players who are out of college have been training on their own at random rinks across North America in between gatherings of the national teams or training sessions and exhibitions sponsored by the players association.
That can stunt the playersB次元官网网址� development, especially when it comes to be being prepared for world and Olympic competitions, Kessel said.
B次元官网网址淓verybody is trying to find enough ice time and to push ourselves on our own, but it is difficult,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a challenge every day.B次元官网网址�
Cayla Barnes, who plays defence for the U.S. team and Boston College, said she and the other college players on the national teams understand what is going on and appreciate what the older players are doing.
B次元官网网址淭hey are putting so much on the line for the younger generations,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淣ot just for us college kids who are coming up, but for U-8, U-10 girls who are coming up so they have opportunities later on. So I think all of us who are younger are trying to support them in whatever way we can.B次元官网网址�
The teams will meet again on Tuesday in New Brunswick. Other games part of the 2019-20 Rivalry Series are slated for Feb. 3 and Feb. 5 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Feb. 8 in Anaheim, California.
Pat Eaton-Robb, The Associated Press
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