NWHL announces expansion to Toronto

The National Women's Hockey League is officially expanding to Toronto for the 2020-21 season, the league announced Wednesday.

Toronto will be the league's first Canadian team and sixth franchise overall, joining the Boston Pride, Metropolitan Riveters, Buffalo Beauts, Minnesota Whitecaps, and Connecticut Whale.

"Launching our first team in Canada is a pivotal and proud moment for the NWHL," league commissioner Dani Rylan said. "Everyone in the Toronto hockey community can be sure that this first-class team of professionals will make bold strides for the women's game."

Former Brown University coach Digit Murphy has been named team president and will oversee hiring a general manager and head coach. Johanna Neilson Boynton, a former captain at Harvard, and Tyler Tumminia, will serve as owner and chairman, respectively.

"We aspire to build a perennial Isobel Cup contender for Toronto," said Boynton. "This will be an organization with strong fan, community, and corporate support, outstanding coaching, training, and player development, and a club dedicated to promoting hockey as a game for everyone."

Signing, hirings, and venues for the team will be announced at a later date, but fans can immediately begin submitting ideas for a team nickname, colors, and logos here.

The 2020-21 NWHL season is expected to begin in November.

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