NWHL

Discussion of Minnesota Girls High School Hockey

Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)

Post Reply
greybeard58
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:40 pm

NWHL

Post by greybeard58 » Sat Jan 09, 2016 4:43 am

Since there are possibilities that now High School girls and college players are looking at the possibility of professional hockey for women. Here are 2 utube videos

The NWHL Player Safety Committee has issued two suspensions and two warnings:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Shea31HyCuk

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zFrBMzH5cDA

greybeard58
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:40 pm

Denna Laing from twitter

Post by greybeard58 » Mon Jan 11, 2016 3:19 pm


greybeard58
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:40 pm

Possible lawsuit

Post by greybeard58 » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:31 am


greybeard58
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:40 pm

nwhl problem

Post by greybeard58 » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:42 pm

Madison Packer & other NWHL Players

"The National Women’s Hockey League poses the risk of being the most dangerous hockey league to currently play in. The league, in it’s inaugural season, has already been forced to deal with incredibly serious injuries that have resulted in players’ hospitalizations. Though the tragedy that struck Denna Liang and the Boston Pride at the Winter Classic will have our heads reeling for years to come, there are additional aspects of the NWHL that are putting their players at great risk.

The primary concern that comes to mind when looking at a new league is how to keep order during play. To do this, a rule book must be made available for not only the referees but the players, coaches, and the fans. The lack of a detailed and specific rule book allows players, coaches, and referees to interpret and react to the game however they see fit.
UNSAFE PLAY

With a rule book not directly outlining the level of physicality allowed on ice the league is making way for serious injuries to occur without the referees knowledge. The Riveters’ Madison Packer fell to the ice while playing against the Connecticut Whale on Jan. 3; the refs had not seen the play and had to be directed to Packer by the fans. Packer is suspected to have a concussion.

The rule book needs to detail how to address plays on ice (especially those where head contact is involved) and make the call. The players and coaches need to understand these rules as well. Players need to know exactly what is acceptable and that there will be repercussions when a play seriously endangers another athlete. The NWHL has already set a good precedent by suspending Micaela Long of the Whale for her high and late hit on Ashley Johnston, the captain of the Riveters.

In addition, coaches need to understand what to expect from their players, and try and limit the amount of dangerous plays being made from a coaching standpoint. Though the NWHL is making strides as far as concussion management goes,dangerous hits and plays need to be given the levity they deserve, especially when head contact is involved.
FIGHTING AS MEANS TO DRAW ATTENTION

The Connecticut Whale, before their infamous line brawl against the New York Riveters, had the most wins in the NWHL. Despite their ridiculously impressive 9-1 record, the Whale were only able to make the headlines when the New York Riveters poured onto the ice disrupting the game.

What does this tell these athletes? That the only way this sport is going to be recognized is if they drop the gloves – which not only cheapens the sport but also puts them all at a greater risk for injury.

Fighting alone presents a risk of concussions, broken fingers, and lacerations – but brawls are infinitely more dangerous. Referees cannot be in 20 places at once, and breaking up a fight is difficult enough with only two people. With players clamoring over each other in a brawl, there are increased risks: for example, falling in a brawl could result in getting concussed or trampled by players’ skate blades.

Additionally, due to the lack of a rule book these players have a lot of incentive to start a large fight. I know it sounds crazy, but bear with me. Not only does fighting draw attention to the sport, but the NWHL doesn’t have the ability to dole out the proper punishments. If one person leaves the bench to join the fisticuffs, that single player will receive a match penalty and a game suspension (with no pay). But, if the entire bench floods the ice, the league can’t afford to suspend them all a game.

Unlike the NHL, the NWHL does not have the luxury of farm clubs. Though the NWHL teams do have practice players who can be signed on a game-by-game basis, they do not have the means to replace a suspended team. Additionally, having to cancel a game due to the suspensions would cause the NWHL to lose money and reflect poorly on the league.
PRESSURE TO RETURN TO PLAY

Hockey culture is one that values mental toughness and the wiliness to play through pain in order to better your team. In a league as small as and as new as the NWHL, one of the biggest risks to players is the intense pressure for them to return to play.

The NWHL is in a position where they have limited resources as far as players go. When big names like Madison Packer and Ashley Johnston are out for an extended period of time, there is the worry that sales may decrease or the team’s overall play may deteriorate.

The reality is this: though the NWHL is making history being the first paid professional women’s hockey league, the problem is still that these women are still not making a living salary. The average salary for an NWHL player is only $15,000. A lot of these players will still have to hold down another job. This provides them another reasons to push through the pain and force themselves to play and (and attend other jobs) despite serious injuries.
WHAT CAN THE NWHL DO?

The NWHL desperately needs to have a rule book published and put on the site in order for players, coaches, and referees to understand the game better. Once this is done, referees will be able to call the game more closely and hopefully prevent dangerous outbursts like the Whale and Riveters brawl.

Additionally the NWHL needs to make a point to the athletes and the fans that fighting and other dangerous plays will not be tolerated. Despite the fact that fighting is popular and may draw attention to the league, the attention will be for all the wrong reasons. The NWHL and its players are making history being the first paid professional women’s hockey league, and they deserve to be recognized by their high level of play, not their ability to fight."
Growing Pains in the NWHL: Brawls, Rules, and Injuries
Read more: http://alongtheboards.com/2016/01/nwhl- ... -injuries/

greybeard58
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:40 pm

Denna Laing

Post by greybeard58 » Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:58 am


Post Reply