National Women'S Hockey League

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FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2016, photo, National Women's Hockey League All-Star players take time for a photo before an All-Star game at Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y. The National Women's Hockey League semifinals and final will air on NBC Sports Network in early February 2021. It will be the first time professional women's hockey games are shown live on a major television network in the U.S. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert, File)

NWHL semifinals, final to air live on NBCSN in February

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

NWHL restructures; Rylan Kearney steps down as commissioner

Associated Press

This October 2018 photo provided by the NWHL shows National Women’s Hockey League founder Dani Rylan at TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minn. Dani Rylan has a blunt message for her detractors in preparing to open her fifth season. To those questioning the league's stability after several franchises lost their local NHL teams' backing, and some of the world’s top players opted to sit out this year, Rylan is defiant by insisting there will be a sixth season next October, a seventh one after that, and so on. &quot;We're not going anywhere. We're just growing,&quot; she told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview last month. (Kirsten Burton/NWHL via AP)

Rylan defiant in face of detractors as NWHL opens 5th season

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

NWHL reaches agreement to resume use of Beauts’ trademarks

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2018, file photo, Finland goalie Noora Raty watches the action during a preliminary round women's hockey game against Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea. More than 200 of the world’s top female players have taken their next step toward a single, economically viable professional league by forming their own players’ association. The new Professional Women’s Hockey Association (PWHPA) announced Monday, May 20, 2019, that incorporation papers were filed Friday with help from attorneys from Ballard Spahr. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

NWHL cancels expansion plans, open to talk of new league

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

NWHL agrees to increase salaries, benefits, revenue sharing

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2019, file photo, U.S. Women's National Team's Kendall Coyne Schofield skates during the Skills Competition, part of the NHL All-Star weekend, in San Jose, Calif. More than 200 of the world’s top female players have taken their next step toward a single, economically viable professional league by forming their own players’ association. The new Professional Women’s Hockey Association (PWHPA) announced Monday, May 20, 2019, that incorporation papers were filed Friday with help from attorneys from Ballard Spahr. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Pro women hockey players form union in step toward league

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2018, file photo, Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula stands on the field as the team warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in Foxborough, Mass. A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Kim Pegula, also owner of the Buffalo Beauts, has given up control of the National Women's Hockey League franchise. The person spoke to The AP on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, on the condition of anonymity because the decision won't be announced until later in the day. The person said Beauts owner Kim Pegula informed NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan of her decision during a conference call Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

The Latest: NWHL ‘pleased’ to regain control of Beauts

Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2018, file photo, goalie Shannon Szabados (1), of Canada, stares at the flying puck during the second period of the women's gold medal hockey game against the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea. More than 200 of the top female hockey players in the world have decided they will not play professionally in North America next season, hoping their stand leads to a single economically sustainable league. The announcement Thursday, May 2, 2019, comes after the Canadian Women's Hockey League abruptly shut down as of Wednesday, leaving the five-team, U.S.-based National Women's Hockey League as the only pro league in North America. The group of players, led by American stars Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield and Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados, hopes their move eventually pushes the NHL to start its own women's hockey league as the NBA did with the WNBA. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Pegula relinquishes control of NWHL Buffalo team

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados watch as U.S. players celebrate a win during the Four Nations Cup hockey gold-medal game in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. More than 200 of the top female hockey players in the world have decided they will not play professionally in North America next season, hoping their stand leads to a single economically sustainable league. The announcement Thursday, May 2, 2019, comes after the Canadian Women's Hockey League abruptly shut down as of Wednesday, leaving the five-team, U.S.-based National Women's Hockey League as the only pro league in North America. The group of players, led by American stars Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield and Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados, hopes their move eventually pushes the NHL to start its own women's hockey league as the NBA did with the WNBA. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press via AP) ** FILE **

Women’s hockey stars announce boycott in demand for 1 league

By John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2017, file photo, United States' Hilary Knight (21) controls the puck in front of Canada's Meaghan Mikkelson, right, during the second period of the Four Nations Cup championship hockey game in Tampa, Fla. Knight put aside the jet-leg and fresh memories of helping the United States win its latest women's world hockey championship to begin looking ahead to next season. (AP Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr., File)

Players demand say in women’s hockey future after CWHL folds

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, March 24, 2019, file photo, Calgary Inferno's Brigette Lacquette, left, battles for the puck with Les Canadiennes de Montreal's Lauriane Rougeau during the second-period action of the Clarkson Cup hockey game in Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Women's Hockey League will discontinue operations on May 1, the league announced Sunday, March 31. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Top women’s players vow to shape pro hockey in N America

Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, March 24, 2019, file photo, Calgary Inferno's Brigette Lacquette, left, battles for the puck with Les Canadiennes de Montreal's Lauriane Rougeau during the second-period action of the Clarkson Cup hockey game in Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Women's Hockey League will discontinue operations on May 1, the league announced Sunday, March 31. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

US-based NWHL OKs plan to expand to Canada after CWHL folds

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

Team Szabados forward Audra Richards (21) is congratulated after scoring a goal against Team Stecklein in the NWHL All-Star Hockey Game Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

NWHL All-Star captain’s hope for future? Combined league

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados stops a U.S. shot during the first period of a Four Nations Cup hockey preliminary game in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian goalie Szabados takes move to NWHL in stride

Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2016, file photo, National Women's Hockey League All-Star players take time for a &quot;selfie&quot; before the start of an all-star game at Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y. NWHL founder and commissioner Dani Rylan tells The Associated Press she considers the likelihood of North America having one women's professional hockey league as being &quot;inevitable.&quot; Rylan’s comments, made in an email to The AP, are considered her strongest regarding a potential merger with the rival Canadian Women’s Hockey League since the NWHL was formed three years ago. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert, File)

APNewsBreak: Commish: 1 women’s hockey league ‘inevitable’

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

Interim CWHL head says single women’s league a priority

Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2018, file photo, the United States team celebrates winning the women's gold medal hockey game against Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea. Women’s hockey players and the NHL believe one professional league instead of two is necessary to grow the sport in the aftermath of the U.S. winning gold at the Olympics. Currently the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and National Women’s Hockey League compete for players and attention. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Need for one pro league the new focus for women’s hockey

By STEPHEN WHYNO AND JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, file photo, National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) All-Star players take time for a photo before an all-star game in Buffalo, N.Y. The New Jersey Devils recently announced their partnership with the Metropolitan Riveters, one of four teams in the fledgling NWHL. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert, File)

Women’s pro hockey league makes pact with NJ Devils

By MELISSA MURPHY - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, file photo, National Women's Hockey League All-Star players take time for a &quot;selfie&quot; before an all-star game at Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y. The New Jersey Devils have become the first NHL franchise to partner with a National Women's Hockey League team. Harris Blitzer Sports &amp; Entertainment, the Devils parent company, announced the partnership with the Metropolitan Riveters on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. The goal is to support the growth of the NWHL, a four-team league that started in 2015. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert, File)

Devils partner with women’s pro hockey team in New Jersey

Associated Press