Women’s Hockey Notebook: NWHL ASG announced; Marie-Philip Poulin is cooler than you

LINE RUSH

Following Tuesday’s announcement of the ground breaking partnership between the NWHL and NESN to air Boston Pride games, the league followed up with another splash: the first All-Star Game.

The festivities will take place January 23 and January 24 in Buffalo, N.Y. Following in the steps of the NHL (prior to this year’s change), with an All-Star draft by two captains: Hilary Knight of the Boston Pride and Emily Pfalzer of the hometown Buffalo Beauts. The draft will be held in early December and as of this writing, there hasn’t been plans announced to broadcast the draft on television or online. [Note to Dani Rylan/NWHL: fans would LOVE to see this process. I’ll FedEx over some boxed wine!] Although it’s unclear how the process will be done, fans will be able to vote on 2 players to join the rosters through social media.

In January, the teams will take the ice in the usual precursory skills competition. Followed by a 4-on-4 game for two 20-minute periods. The team who wins the game will receive 20-percent of the gate proceeds to be split among the players. It’s no million dollars, but it’s something. And that something may not be much as Kate Cimini writes for Today’s Slapshot. Attendees will have the opportunity to do a meet and greet with the players following the game. Tickets for the Sunday game will go on sale Black Friday for $25 a piece.

Also available to patrons is the more expensive $125 ticket package that includes “VIP Skate with the Stars.” Fans – who must bring their own skates (i.e. no rentals available) – will be able to take to the ice with the NWHL All-Stars in the evening prior to the game.

Have to hand it to the NWHL. They are giving fans every opportunity to meet their players. This is almost impossible to do with the men’s pro leagues unless you’re a season ticket holder. (Even then, you’re usually left with just rookies and low salary cap players hanging with fans for 10 minutes.)

The CWHL has not made public their plans or dates for their All-Star Game yet.

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IF YOU WATCH ONE VIDEO THIS WEEKEND…

Hopefully it’s on TV and it’s the graphics for the NWHL on NESN, like this:

Wouldn’t be a hockey broadcast without a @NWHL_-branded logo reveal. Catch it live on @NESN this Sunday! pic.twitter.com/luulHsO0Rq

— Imry Halevi (@imryh) November 20, 2015

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AROUND THE RINKS

10 Reasons Why Marie-Philip Poulin is cooler than you. Only 10?

The couple that tends goal together, stays together: meet the Scrivens family. ESPNW’s Sarah Spain catches up with Jen Scrivens (goaltender for the New York Riveters) and her husband, The Professor, Ben Scrivens.

Calgary Inferno player Jacquie Pierri creates ‘Keep the Beat’, to raise awareness for heart disease. Pierri lost both her father and cousin at young ages to heart attacks.

Jonathan de Castro’s work with Nana Fujimoto paying dividends. The goaltending coach is a Mitch Korn disciple and Fujimoto is benefitting from the work.

Former Dino Lovell enjoying solid rookie season for Calgary Inferno. Elana Lovell went from Calgary Fossil (real name) to professional women’s hockey player.

Bad blood brewing between Boston Pride and New York Riveters. The New York-Boston rivalry isn’t limited to the men’s sports.

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THE BIG SHOW

Saturday

CWHL

Boston Blades (1-7-0) @ Brampton Thunder (4-2-0) – 6:30pm ET

Calgary Inferno (5-1-0) @ Toronto Furies (1-4-1) – 7:30pm ET ($ stream $)

Sunday

CWHL