Growing the Game: PHF Foundation Award, Iran's IIHF Women’s Debut 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.

The PHF has announced the 2022-23 recipients of the league’s Foundation Award. Given to a member of each of the PHF’s seven franchises, the Foundation Award is given “in recognition of players who actively apply the core values of hockey to their community and help grow and improve hockey culture.”

This year’s award winners were Sammy Davis of the Boston Pride, Cassidy MacPherson of the Buffalo Beauts, Shannon Turner of the Connecticut Whale, Reagan Rust of the Metropolitan Riveters, Denisa Krizova of the Minnesota Whitecaps, Laura Jardin of the Montreal Force, and Shiann Darkangelo of the Toronto Six.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award for exemplifying the core values of hockey and its continued growth,” said Darkangelo. “My goal is to leave this game better than I found it and I let that drive my actions everyday.”

Each recipient is actively involved in community initiatives and charities.

Playing at the 2023 women’s Asia and Oceania Championship in Thailand, two nations, Iran and Kyrgyzstan, made their formal debut in IIHF-sanctioned competition.

Iran was dominant in their entry into IIHF competition, outscoring opponents 77-1 through their first four games. The team defeated India 17-1, Kuwait 20-0, Kyrgyzstan 26-0 and United Arab Emirates 14-0.

Fatemeh Esmaeili is leading Iran with 16 goals and 24 points in four games.

Great Britain has the chance to win their way up to the top division of the World Championship if they can muster a win over Italy at the World Championship Division I-A. Great Britain currently sits first in the bracket after going undefeated through their first four games, outscoring opponents 19-4.

Arizona Coyotes draft pick Liam Kirk has been the driving force for Great Britain, notching eight points in four games. This season Kirk, opened the season in the ECHL before heading to Europe to play for Jukurit in Liiga, where he compiled 19 points in 25 games. Kirk has received support from University of Alaska-Fairbanks rookie Cade Neilson who is second in scoring on Great Britain with six points.

Also in the hunt for promotion are Poland and Italy. South Korea, Romania, and Lithuania are all seeking to avoid relegation.

The World Para Ice Hockey Championship is rapidly approaching, set to take place from May 28 to June 4 in Moose Jaw, Sask.

“World Para Ice Hockey is excited to bring the world championship to Canada for the first time, a nation that has had tremendous success in the sport, winning medals and helping grow the game,” said Michelle Laflamme, manager of World Para Ice Hockey, in a Hockey Canada release. “This will be an opportunity for those in Canada and around the world to tune in and see the best our sport has to offer, with fierce competition and compelling storylines as we begin the next Paralympic cycle.”

The event will feature teams from Canada, USA, China, Germany, Norway, Italy, Korea and Czechia.