In a time when we’re desperate for good news, inside and outside the sporting world, the announcement of a new pro hockey franchise in a major hockey market feels pretty welcome. Whether it changes the landscape of the women’s game in the long term is another matter, however.
The NWHL announced Wednesday that Toronto has been approved for an expansion franchise. It will debut as the league’s sixth team in time for the 2020-21 season, which consists of 20 regular-season games and is scheduled to commence in mid-November. Toronto will be the league’s first Canadian franchise. The team name and color scheme have yet to be determined.