READY TO PLAY WITH THE WORLD’S BEST? THE 2016 CWHL ENTRY DRAFT IS NOW OPEN

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Women’s Hockey League is excited to announce that registration for the 2016 CWHL Entry Draft is now open for league prospects.

CWHL DRAFT PLAYER REGISTRATION

Eligible players interested in playing in the CWHL can visit the CWHL’s website HERE to find out everything they need to know about registering for the 2016 CWHL Entry Draft. The CWHL welcomes players from across the hockey world and in past seasons has featured players from Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Being drafted is the first step towards playing in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. All drafted prospects are invited to attend the training camp of their respective teams in September and vie for a spot on the team’s 25-player roster.

The CWHL’s draft registration fee will cover inclusion in the draft, attendance at the draft for those declared as amongst the draft class top picks and attendance at their respective team’s training camp in September. Players who meet all criteria and have registered prior to midnight Aug. 1, including payment, will be eligible this year as a draft pick.

The 2016 CWHL Entry Draft will take place Aug. 21st, 2016 in Toronto.

CWHL DRAFT REGISTERED PROSPECTS LIST

The 2016-17 season marks the CWHL’s tenth season since its inception, with the Boston Blades, Brampton Thunder, Calgary Inferno, Les Canadiennes de Montréal and Toronto Furies all facing off in an attempt to lay claim to the coveted Clarkson Cup, known as the Stanley Cup of women’s hockey. The Calgary Inferno won their first Clarkson Cup in 2016 with a thrilling championship victory over Les Canadiennes de Montréal in Ottawa.

Previously Olympians, World Champions, NCAA and CIS stars have all been selected in the CWHL Entry Draft, including the incredible athletes listed below, picked first overall in their respective rookie CWHL years.

History of first overall CWHL Entry Draft picks:

• 2015 – Harvard Crimson defenceman Sarah Edney (Brampton Thunder)
• 2014 – Sochi 2014 gold medallist blue-liner Laura Fortino (Brampton Thunder)
• 2013 – Canada’s National Women’s Program defenceman Jessica Wong (Calgary Inferno)
• 2012 – Mercyhurst Lakers star goaltender Hillary Pattenden (Calgary Inferno)
• 2011 – Three-time Olympic gold medallist Meghan Agosta (Montreal Stars)
• 2010 – Vancouver 2010 gold medallist Tessa Bonhomme (Toronto Furies)

Please email Jess O’Grady at operations@cwhl.ca with any specific questions about the 2016 CWHL Entry Draft process.