Latest news with #Women'sWorldChampionships
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
List of best U.S. cities for hockey doesn't have any from Minnesota in the top 10
Add up the players on the U.S. national team at the Four Nations Face-Off (silver), World Junior Championship (gold), Men's World Championship (gold), and Women's World Championships (gold), and Minnesota has far more players on those rosters than any other state. The Minnesota Frost won their second straight Walter Cup championship this week. The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament speaks for itself. So, when WalletHub released its "Best Cities for Hockey" list on Wednesday, the State of Hockey was obviously well represented. Right? Well... gird yourself, because that's not what happened. St. Paul finished best at 13th. Other Minnesota cities include Bemidji at 42nd, Minneapolis at 48th, St. Cloud at 56th, Duluth at 58th, and Mankato at 64th. No mention, either, of Eveleth, home of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. It's a bitter pill to swallow, seeing a top 10 devoid of Minnesota representation. Here's what that top 10 looks like. Boston Detroit Pittsburgh New York City Newark Denver Sunrise Tampa Buffalo St. Louis Before anyone lights their phone on fire in an attempt to erase this list from history, a little explanation is necessary. WalletHub created the list by comparing 76 cities in two parent categories: NHL hockey and NCAA DI hockey. Inside each category, 21 metrics were considered. Additionally, the NHL category was weighted more heavily than the college hockey is, in many ways, set up for Minnesota to fail. The number of NHL teams is considered (advantage to New York) as is the performance of those teams, Stanley Cup wins, and division championship wins, among other metrics. These are metrics where, to be kind, the Minnesota Wild do not come out on top. Things would look a lot better if women's pro hockey was considered, given the success of the Frost and the Whitecaps before them. College hockey makes a positive impact for Minnesota cities, but it only accounts for 20% of the score and only includes men's hockey. The absence of women's hockey hurts Minnesota (and is generally absurd) since there are so many good teams in the state, including a handful of championships for the Gophers and the Bulldogs. High school hockey and youth hockey participation aren't factored in at all. USA Hockey's most recent data shows Minnesota hockey as having far more youth hockey participation than any other state, with Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York showing well too. Though, it's worth noting that those rankings aren't per capita but raw numbers, and Minnesota's population of 5.7 million is quite a bit lower than those other states. Additionally, that's a statewide metric and not boiled down to individual cities. In other words, it's not a great study. C'est la vie. Given the methodology, it's hard to argue with the success of the teams like the Panthers, Lightning, Avalanche, Penguins, and all the other teams that have managed to do well enough that they don't wind up as a punchline in an NFL schedule announcement video.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Jocks In Jills: Tessa Bonhomme And Julia Tocheri Talk PWHL Playoffs & More
Tessa Bonhomme and Julia Tocheri are the voices behind Jocks in Jills, a fast-growing podcast that's become a go-to destination for women's hockey fans. Blending expert insight with sharp humor, the duo has built a loyal community by highlighting the players, perspectives, and stories that often go untold in mainstream coverage. Bonhomme brings Olympic gold medal credentials from her time with Team Canada and deep broadcasting experience as a former SportsCentre anchor at TSN. Tocheri, known for her sharp hockey IQ and breakout work with TSN's Maple Leafs coverage and BarDown, rounds out the team with a fresh, media-savvy perspective. Together, they're helping reshape how the game is talked about—making hockey feel more accessible, inclusive, and entertaining for all audiences. In the Q&A that follows, Bonhomme and Tocheri open up about the PWHL playoffs, the evolution of youth hockey, standout podcast moments, and what's next for the growing professional women's hockey. Q: How did the Jocks in Jills Podcast come to life? Tessa: Julia and I worked together at TSN in Canada, which is kind of like ESPN's sister company up north. I was a SportsCentre anchor and hosted a lot of women's hockey coverage. And Julia—well, she's been an incredible colleague. Julia: Thanks, Tessa. I always have to be careful what I say—I don't want to make Tessa sound old! But I did grow up watching her. She's an Olympic gold medalist and has been such an inspiration. We worked together during the Women's World Championships in Calgary in 2021. We were in a bubble, and it was a unique experience, especially since the previous year's Worlds in Halifax were canceled due to the pandemic. There had been so much momentum for women's hockey, and it felt like COVID hit pause on all of that. Tessa was pregnant during that time—not exactly a time for beers and brainstorming—but we just got along really well. We're both from Northern Ontario: she's from Sudbury, I'm from Thunder Bay. Not super close geographically, but culturally similar—blue-collar, hockey-first towns. Tessa brings years of experience in broadcasting and hockey, and I've got a background in digital media and brand building. We complement each other really well, and that's how Jocks in Jills started. Q: You've both seen women's hockey evolve over the years. The PWHL is in its second year and has been extremely successful. Why do you think it's working now, when previous attempts didn't stick? Tessa: I've played in earlier iterations of pro women's leagues, and the difference with the PWHL is huge. For one, there's a real business plan this time around. The Mark Walter Group understands that this is a long-term investment. They're not just here for a year or two—they're fully backing it. Exposure has also improved. The venues, locker rooms—everything's more professional. And in year one, it was smart to stream all the games on YouTube. It made it accessible, brought in new fans, even people who weren't traditional sports followers but were interested in women's sports and athletes. Also, the players now have a union—their own players' association. That's huge. A lot of the players sat down and said, 'What do we actually need to make this professional?' Add to that support from Billie Jean King, and you've got a strong foundation. No one's rushing things. There's a sense of building something sustainable, thoughtfully and strategically. It's not just hype—it's real. Q: Let's switch gears to the playoffs. I'd love your take on the end of the season. Starting with Montreal and Toronto—both clinched playoff spots. How have those teams evolved? Julia: They've both had interesting seasons. Toronto got off to a rocky start. Tessa, I think we even wondered if there was a bit of a goalie controversy? Tessa: Yeah, Kristen Campbell started the year slow, and Raygan Kirk stepped in for a bit. But Campbell has really solidified her game recently. Toronto has so much offensive talent—Blayre Turnbull, Sarah Nurse, Natalie Spooner, Emma Maltais, and newer stars like Hannah Miller and Daryl Watts. Watts has been on fire—six goals in her last six games, I think. They're deep and in a great place heading into playoffs. Julia: Montreal, on the other hand, is entering the playoffs in a bit of a weird spot. They started the season fantastic—they were actually my pick to win it all. But their depth started to fade a bit. Their power play looked amazing on paper, but wasn't always converting. Still, they kept winning tight games. Goaltending has been a strong point, with Ann-Renée Desbiens making huge saves. And when you have Marie-Philip Poulin, you know she can win a game for you at any moment. But they stumbled a bit before Worlds. They were hit by injuries—Desbiens missed some time, and Elaine Chuli stepped up as backup. They're trending in the right direction, but still finding their rhythm. It's tough when you've already clinched and are facing teams fighting for their playoff lives—you're trying to stay healthy, not necessarily playing with the same desperation. Tessa: Exactly. But Montreal is loaded: Poulin, Laura Stacey, Jen Gardiner, Abby Boreen—and a deep defense with Cayla Barnes, Erin Ambrose, and Kati Tabin. If they find their groove, they're going to be a real threat for the Walter Cup. Q: Which team surprised you the most this season—either positively or negatively? Julia: We both agree on the under-performer: New York. Tessa: Yeah, they just hit a stretch where they couldn't find any points—nine straight games. If they'd gotten even a few points in three of those, they'd be in the playoff mix right now. They had Sarah Fillier as the first overall pick—she's been great. Alex Carpenter was their offensive leader, but after she went down with an injury, the team just fell apart. Julia: Another surprising team, in a less positive way, is Minnesota. They're the reigning Walter Cup champs, so we expected more. Instead, they're in the same position as last year—scrapping to stay alive in the playoffs. You'd think they would've built on last year's experience. Q: There's a lot going on in terms of storylines, but what would you say is the main storyline heading into the playoffs that fans should be paying attention to? Julia: Oh, honestly, I feel like it has to be about the top dogs, Tessa. Last year, it was Kendall Coyne—she did so much to make this league happen. She made the initial call to Billie Jean King. Like, 'Let's make this happen. How do we build a viable professional women's league?' She was the first to hoist the Walter Cup. It felt like a storybook ending—thank you, hockey gods! We were all thrilled. So the big question is: who's next? Hilary Knight made it to the finals last year. She's rocking this intense black eye right now—it's playoff-perfect. And let's not forget, they went all the way to Game 5 last year. Is it going to be Hilary, or is it going to be Marie-Philip Poulin—known to win everywhere, known to be Captain Clutch, and always delivers when her team needs her most? And we're still setting the playoff picture. We don't even know if Ottawa's going to make it in. If they do, I think they could be really dangerous. They have one of the most engaged fan bases in the PWHL. If they gain some momentum and sneak in on the last day? I wouldn't want to face them in the semifinals. Q: A lot to think about. Okay, let's talk about that fight. The first official fight in the PWHL. I'd love a deeper take on that. We know girls at the youth level typically aren't taught that kind of physicality—fighting, body checking—it's not built into the game the same way it is for boys. So what's your take? Should that change? Tessa: Yeah, that's a great question. Body checking in particular—I think it's an important skill to learn, regardless of whether it's allowed in your league. I played boys' hockey growing up because there weren't girls' teams where I was, so I learned to give and receive hits early. It just helps you protect yourself, avoid compromising positions, and makes you more prepared overall. It actually makes you a bit of a threat—like, you can take a hit, give one, and stay standing. A lot of PWHL players did grow up playing boys' hockey, so they already know how to handle physical play. But I think the league is working to implement more systems for girls who didn't have that same upbringing. And honestly, I think we'll see that at the grassroots level soon. If the PWHL is the goal, girls are going to need to be ready for that kind of game. Julia: And when it comes to fighting—yeah, it's being dubbed the 'first fight,' but there was definitely some heavy scrapping between Toronto and Montreal last year during playoffs or pre-playoffs. Tessa: Right! And honestly, fighting isn't allowed in any league—it's technically illegal everywhere. But it happens. It stems from emotion, from competitiveness. I've been in two fights—Team Canada vs. Team USA. And look, we're wearing cages—I'm not taking my gloves off to punch someone's helmet. I just got so mad in the moment that it happened. I don't think we'll see a lot of fighting in the PWHL. The physical play that's allowed now really helps let off steam. But like with siblings, it still might happen once in a while when tensions boil over. We had Megan Duggan on the podcast, and she told us about fighting a teammate in practice once—sometimes it just happens. And you know what? The two players who fought—Saulnier and Vanišová—totally respect each other. That's the essence of a hockey fight. It's heat-of-the-moment. We're never going to see the 'enforcer' era in women's hockey like we did in men's. But grit? Grit is a huge asset in this league, and it adds so much to the game. Q: That's fascinating. So following up on youth development—especially for girls—what more could be done to prepare them to go from grassroots all the way to pro now that there's a clearer pipeline? Tessa: Yeah, I think education is key. Kids need to know how important it is to stick with the game and train properly. And we also need to look at the pro level—where are the skill gaps? Shooting, for example, is one area I think we can really improve from the youth level up. But beyond skills, we also need to educate players and families on the pathway—like, what it really means to be recruited. We talk to so many players on our podcast who had no idea how NCAA recruiting worked when they were coming through. They didn't know about official visits, the paperwork, SATs, eligibility. That's critical info. And not everyone's path is the same. NCAA isn't the only option. U Sports might be better for some. And even if you don't get drafted, you can still go overseas to the SDHL or other leagues to keep developing. When I played, if you weren't in the national program after college, that was it—you were done. Now, there are more paths. The PWHL has already expanded—who knows how many more teams are coming? Q: Yeah, totally. And speaking of expansion—two new teams coming, Vancouver and Seattle. What are your thoughts? Julia: Oh, we are so excited. We got to visit Vancouver and Seattle during the takeover tour this year. It was my first time in Seattle—I was blown away. The arena, the energy, the fan reception—it was incredible. I kind of thought New York had it all, but a couple of their teams actually play in New Jersey. Seattle is the first city with all major women's pro sports teams in place. That feels huge. And there's so much talent out there. Just last week, we saw a third-string goalie make her debut after sitting on the bench for nearly two full seasons—she stopped 26 shots and blanked the shootout. The depth is insane, especially at that position. Also, shoutout to Jessica Campbell coaching the Kraken and now sharing that venue with the PWHL team—it's such a cool synergy. And Vancouver? That's where Canada won the most iconic Olympic gold ever in 2010, with Tessa on that team. So it all comes full circle. Q: Amazing. Let's switch over to the podcast for a bit. What's been your favorite moment or guest this season on Jocks in Jills? Julia: For me, it was Catherine Dubois. She's not a national team player—just this incredible depth player from Quebec. Over the summer, she was literally laying bricks for her dad's construction company while training. She thought her career was over, then the PWHL started, and she earned a spot as a reserve—and now she's a full-time player. We had this hilarious conversation about a terrible COVID haircut she gave herself, but also these very real discussions about female-specific health challenges she faced. She was in pain, and wasn't taken seriously—until doctors realized she was a pro athlete. It was raw and powerful. She doesn't get much media, but she gave us one of our best interviews. Tessa: That was a great one. I'll pick a non-player—Jessica Campbell was great. But by far one of the funniest episodes was with Boston head coach Britni Smith. Her Boston accent, her honesty—she's hilarious. We want her on every week. If she weren't coaching, I think she'd have her own show. Q: So obviously the podcast has grown a lot—what's it been like seeing fan culture evolve? Julia: It feels like we're in a giant group chat with our friends. We share our travel mishaps, inside jokes—one time my dog ate an edible—and our listeners know it all. We show up to games and people have signs referencing our jokes. It feels like a true community. Tessa: Yeah, and it's a unique kind of fandom. It hasn't really been studied or understood yet. Some of us grew up as your typical 'bros sports fan'—that was me and Julia. But then there's this new wave of fans who never followed sports until now. They're here for this. It's inclusive, it's fun, and honestly? I think the Toronto Sceptres could fill Scotiabank Arena every night if they wanted. Q: Love it. Okay, last question. If someone's tuning in to the PWHL playoffs for the first time, what should they watch for? What makes it so exciting? Julia: Know the big characters. Every team has stars—Poulin, Knight, Kendall Coyne (if Minnesota makes it in). But also learn the fan favorites—the fourth-liners, the grinders. There's something for everyone. And rivalries are heating up. That Canada vs. USA tension? It's bleeding into PWHL rivalries now. These players go hard. Last year's playoffs had triple overtimes and one-goal games. It was electric. Tessa: We're going to drop a full episode to get everyone caught up before playoffs, so if you're new, don't worry—we'll get you up to speed. You'll be yelling at your screen just like us in no time.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Terrifying childhood disease can't keep hockey player from stardom
ITHACA, N.Y. (WROC) — Before you get to the ice at Lynah Rink at Cornell University, you pass by those who made that ice something special. You see the greats who went on to play in the NHL, the Olympics, and more. Rory Guilday, who pulled in a gold medal with the U.S. national team in the Women's World Championships, is one of the more recent additions to this hallowed hall.'It's kind of just a reminder of where I've been and where I am now,' Guilday is now on an elite team that Coach Doug Derraigh took to the Frozen Four this season.'I'd say she's one of the best defensemen in the world,' Derraugh said. 'I've never seen a player with a shot like hers, that's physically as strong as her.'As for where Rory has been, for that we head to Minnetonka Middle School West in Minnesota, back when Rory was in 7th grade, when one of those routine eye tests revealed a problem.'I got an MRI. It looked like I had a swollen nerve in my eye. The tumor was like this,' Rory said while holding her hand up to her eye to demonstrate. 'Very last day of 7th grade they're like, you need to start chemotherapy because we don't know want it to affect your other eye.'Right as Rory was showing her potential — her strength was stolen.'When I'd step on the ice, I'd feel extremely unstable because my ankles couldn't really hold me up,' she as she watched the vision in her right eye vanish.'Because I was so young and probably naïve that I didn't even think much of it,' Rory said. 'I just loved the game. I just wanted to be with my friends and I just loved sports so much and I had incredible coaches that allowed me to take a break if I needed to and if I wasn't feeling it that day, they'd be like, yeah, go for it, do what you've got to do. And I think my support system got me through it, no doubt … That's when I started working out and that's been a huge factor in my success.' By the time Coach Derraugh discovered her, Rory's strength had returned, while her eyesight in her one eye had not.'The body is kind of cool, just kind of takes over and I don't really notice it unless I close my left eye,' she said. 'A lot of times I totally forget about it, I'm like, OK, which side is it that she has trouble with the vision? And she never talks about it, she never uses it for any kind of excuse for anything,' Derraugh silent drive, Derraugh says, is what makes where she's been and where she is now all the more exceptional.'She is somebody that if I had a young girl, I'd want her to aspire to be like Rory Guilday,' Derraugh said. 'And not simply because of the athlete that she is, but in everything that she does.'This gets us to what Rory will do. Expect her to get drafted into the new Professional Women's Hockey League. She might even make the Olympic team next year. But also expect her to stay her.'It's less about the accolades for me and just more about the experiences with my teammates and being part of the national team has led me to many cool places of the world and very thankful for those experiences, but mostly just being surrounded by such incredible people and athletes is more than I could ever ask for,' she any honor should also belong to that big team that appears along her own wall of just the way she sees it. Photo credit: John O'Donnell Video credit: Cooper Brannon and Evan Volkman Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Champions Canada rout Finland to set up world final with US
CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic, April 19 (Reuters) - Defending champions Canada thumped Finland 8-1 in the semi-final of the women's ice hockey world championship on Saturday to set up a somewhat predictable final against the United States. Canada and the U.S. have contested all but one of the 23 previous finals, with Finland denying Canada a place in the 2019 decider, and the two hockey powerhouses will meet again on Sunday after the U.S. edged hosts Czech Republic 2-1 in their semi-final at the Arena Ceske Budejovice. Finland, beaten 5-0 by Canada in the preliminary round, made a bright start but were ultimately undone in the final minutes of the second period by a ruthless Canadian side who had hammered Japan 9-1 in the previous round. The Finns took a shock lead in the opening minute, with Michelle Karvinen getting to the puck ahead of the goaltender. Canada calmly dealt with the early blow, and drew level through Erin Ambrose within two minutes and Marie-Philip Poulin put the champions ahead before the end of the first period. That goal made Poulin Canada's all-time leading points scorer at Women's World Championships with 87, overtaking Hayley Wickenheiser. Finland were unable to take advantage of the first power play of the match in the second period, and when Canada were restored to full strength they stretched their lead with Daryl Watts strike from behind the goal going in off the keeper. The goal was challenged by Finland for a missed offside, but the score stood and with the Finns punished for delaying the game, Watts scored again during the power play to make it 4-1. Emily Clark and Danielle Serdachny added another two goals for Canada before the end of the second period to leave Finland needing a miracle. Early in the final period, Finland had a five-minute power play, but it was Canada who scored again, through Claire Thompson and Sarah Nurse finished off the rout. Finland will now look to retain their bronze medal against the Czechs on Sunday.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Each PWHL Team Is Watching For During the World Championship
The Women's World Championships are entering into the medal round in Czechia and soon the PWHL will resume with only three games remaining for all six PWHL teams. Here's what each team is keeping an eye on as the tournament play reaches its crucial stages. No doubt the Victoire are watching the line of Poulin, Gardiner, and Stacey shine as a unit for Canada and show that they can step up under pressure, which they'll need to do in the playoffs. But the biggest focus for the team is the performance and return to form for goaltender Ann Renee Desbiens. She's still the #1 Canadian goalie and it will be important that she is healthy and at the top of her game. Kristen Campbell has played well in her first game action for Canada at the World Championship, which is encouraging for Toronto. They have to be holding their breath that Campbell stays healthy since backup Raygan Kirk is currently on LTIR. It's also been worth noting the play of Hayley Scamurra for the U.S. since her game will likely thrive in the playoffs where checking is tighter. Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, and Aerin Frankel have simply continued their reliable games so far in the WWC. The Fleet are looking for defender Daniela Pejsova to find some confidence while playing with Czechia in her home country, since she's struggled to find a consistent role with Boston and has even played some minutes at forward. They could use her rugged game in the playoffs. With coach Carla MacLeod and the Czech contingent playing well and gaining momentum, the Charge are hoping that Katerina Mrazova remains healthy so she can be a contributor in the final three games to clinch a playoff spot. Ronja Savolainen has been outstanding defensively and offensively for Finland, and a possible injury in the quarterfinal game vs. Sweden could be a huge factor for Ottawa. A good result for Team USA would boost the Frost's stars as they push to regain their place in the top four. Kelly Pannek has had a great tournament. If Grace Zumwinkle and Taylor Heise step up and deliver, it would be a boost for Minnesota who desperately need their scoring. The team's two goalies stayed home for the break and have either polished some of their rough spots, or might need to shake off some rust to help get crucial points in the last three games. The Sirens' two superstars, Alex Carpenter and Sarah Fillier, have been playing huge roles for their teams, so no surprises there. Noora Tulus appears very comfortable with Finland, where she returned to a larger scoring and power play role. It appears that she has more to give, so a strong finish in the final games with New York would at least bode well for a return to form next season if the team doesn't pull off a miracle and qualify for the playoffs.
