Growing the Game: PHF Final is Set, IIHF Launches ‘Inspire The Next’ Campaign and More

Growing the Game is Ian Kennedy’s weekly feature examining the global game, how social issues impact the sport, and how hockey’s important cultural shift continues to evolve.

IIHF Launches ‘Inspire The Next’

The IIHF has launched a new campaign “aimed to inspire women to get involved in ice hockey, both on and off the ice,” called Inspire The Next.

“One of our main goals is to make ice hockey as accessible as possible,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif in a media release. “Our target audience includes both women and men, but the big opportunity to grow the sport lies with the female participants. It is important to have a platform such as this campaign, on which we can share knowledge with each other and, above all, we can help all of our member national associations, especially the ones where women’s ice hockey is still in the emerging phase. I am glad that we have the opportunity to do all this with the Inspire the Next campaign.”

The campaign, which will feature during the women’s World Championships set to take place next month in Brampton, Ont., will include education, content sharing, an ambassador program and facilitating conversations regarding women in hockey.

“This campaign tells the stories of real life women - it seeks to empower as well as recruit girls and women to ice hockey, hopefully unleashing the passion for the women’s game at all levels,” said Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, chairperson of the women’s committee, in the IIHF’s release. “Our long-term goal is to not only elevate the women’s game by way of promotion but also to potentially find a strong commercial partner to invest in its development and leave a legacy footprint. We wish to work side by side with a strong partner to develop, advocate and create a sustainable future for women on and off the ice.”

Reimer Overshadows Well-Planned Pride Night

The San Jose Sharks had one of the most comprehensive Pride nights of any NHL franchise planned for their March 18 game against the New York Islanders.

As happened in Philadelphia with Ivan Provorov, however, the Sharks’ Pride night initiatives and efforts to give back to organizations in the Bay Area were overshadowed by a single player – James Reimer.

Reimer refused to wear the Sharks’ Pride night warmup jersey, releasing a statement through the Sharks’ social media platforms. As Reimer’s statement said, he claimed religion as the reason for his non-participation.

“I have no hate in my heart for anyone, and I have always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness. In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life.”

Reimer’s stance also debunked reports this season, including a longform explanation from The Athletic claiming non-participation in Pride events was a product of Russian players. However, The Athletic also reported the Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride jerseys in warmups due to “security concerns for their three players of Russian heritage.” The decision was reportedly made by management and not by the players.

Russia, Belarus Remain Barred from IIHF Competition

The world will not see Russia or Belarus return to IIHF-sanctioned competitions in 2023-2024.

The IIHF’s statement on the issue read: “Based on a detailed risk assessment from a renowned company that specializes in assessing risks due to various global challenges, the IIHF Council determined that it is not yet safe to reincorporate the Russian and Belarusian Teams back into IIHF competitions, and that it will not be safe for the upcoming 2023/2024 IIHF Championship season. Therefore, the IIHF will move forward with the 2023/2024 IIHF Championship season without the Russian and Belarusian Teams.”

Russia and Belarus were initially suspended from IIHF competitions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hockey Canada Hires VP of Diversity and Inclusion

In the organization’s long road to building trust and combating the issues faced in the sport, Hockey Canada made a significant addition to their roster, hiring Irfan Chaudhry as Hockey Canada’s first-ever vice president of diversity and inclusion.

Chaudhry, a lecturer and the director of the office of human rights, diversity and equity at MacEwan University in Edmonton, will begin his new position in mid-April.

“Having Irfan join Hockey Canada is a significant addition to our organization, and we are excited to have him lead the development of a vision and strategy to create and sustain a culture within hockey that embraces and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Denise Pattyn, senior vice-president of people, culture and inclusion in a Hockey Canada news release.

Chaudhry’s work and his teaching at MacEwan University have focused on anti-racism, ethnicity, hate crimes and extremism, and sociology. Since 2022, the Edmonton resident has served on Hockey Canada’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. In his new role, he’ll take on a leadership position in guiding what he calls a “transformation for the sport.”

“It is an honor to join the team at Hockey Canada,” said Chaudhry. “This is an exciting time of transformation for the sport, and I am looking forward to continue the foundational work of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, and build a true culture of inclusion within Hockey Canada as well as the broader hockey ecosystem throughout the country.”

Washington Capitals Celebrate Women

Tonight, the Washington Capitals will host Women in Hockey Night as they host the Chicago Blackhawks. The evening will showcase the ALL CAPS ALL HER program.

“We are thrilled to host our second Women in Hockey Night theme night and celebrate the incredible women who are making their mark on hockey, both on and off the ice,” said Capitals senior vice president of marketing Amanda Tischler in a press release. “Through our ALL CAPS ALL HER programming, we are proudly committed to growing the sport at all levels, entryways and paths, and Women in Hockey Night is a testament to the incredible power of women in sports.”

Launched in 2021, ALL CAPS ALL HER helps bring women and girls in Washington to the game, fostering opportunities for women to play hockey and participate as coaches, referees and parents within the game.

In warmups, the Capitals will wear Women in Hockey jerseys inspired by Title IX and designed by former professional hockey player and current PWHPA board member Kimberly Sass.

Toronto To Face Minnesota For Isobel Cup

The Toronto Six and Minnesota Whitecaps will play for the 2023 Isobel Cup on March 26 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz.

Minnesota shocked the PHF and swept the back-to-back reigning Isobel Cup winners and this year’s regular-season champions, the Boston Pride. Whitecaps forward Jonna Albers scored five points in two games, including a hat trick to open the series. In net, Amanda Leveille posted a sparkling .963 save percentage to shut down the Boston Pride’s high-octane offense.

After dropping Game 1 of their semifinal to the Connecticut Whale, the Toronto Six evened things up with a Game 2 overtime win. In Game 3, Elaine Chuli stopped all 31 shots she faced leading the Six to a 3-0 series-clinching victory.

The Toronto Six won all four meetings between the two teams this season, but three of the four games were decided by a single goal.