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Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) announces
MINNESOTA WHITECAPS
2006-07 schedule and major league expansion

September 6, 2006
Western Women’s Hockey League in conjunction with the Schwan’s Super Rink, announced that the Minnesota Whitecaps Women’s National Hockey Team will open the 2006-07 season at the Schwan’s Super Rink on October 20-22 against the Saskatchewan Prairie Ice. Enjoy the highest level of women’s hockey on Friday October 20th at the Blaine Super Rink at 7pm, on Saturday October 21st at the Cottage Grove Arena at 6:30 pm, and Sunday October 22 at the Blaine Super Rink at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.minnesotawhitecaps.com.

“All elite women’s hockey teams in North America will play within the NWHL this coming season,” announced Susan Fennell, Commissioner of the National Women’s Hockey League. “Discussions have been underway over the past several months, and clearly all players want one pinnacle Championship to strive for.” The new structure will bring the top two teams from each Division, West and East, together to compete for the Clarkson Cup at the National Championship. “The Western teams are thrilled to be part of the newly re-organized NWHL,” said Bill Espey, President of the Western Women’s Hockey League.

With five of its players returning from the 2006 Olympics (Natalie Darwitz, Caroline Ouellette, Jenny Potter, Tricia Dunn-Luoma, Kristin King) the Whitecaps anticipate a great start to their season at the Schwan’s Super Rink. After a second place finish in the 2005-06 WWHL Championship, the Minnesota Whitecaps are expecting to hoist the Clarkson Cup, in the all new NWHL.

With the Minnesota Whitecaps as the only U.S. team, their NWHL schedule includes teams from these Canadian cities: Regina, SK; Calgary, AB; Vancouver, BC; and Edmonton, AB.


To learn more about the MN Whitecaps and complete schedule, visit www.minnesotawhitecaps.com
To learn more about the WWHL, visit www.westernwomenshockeyleague.com
To learn more about the NWHL, visit www.nationalwomenshockeyleague.com

In the past there has been a discrepency or two between the listed roster and the players you would actually see on the ice for the Whitecaps. Not a big deal at all for me since I've been somewhat familiar with, and a fan of all the players to suit up for the W'caps in previous games I've watched (not alot of games). If those players listed in the short article all end up on the ice the Whitecaps should be a heckuva team and great fun to watch. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy regarding the players listed...certainly hope it's correct. Those players mentioned are some of the best in the world and a blast to watch. I had wondered, and hoped some former Gopher and WCHA players would "pop up" on the Whitecaps roster. The 2006-07 Minnesota Gopher women's team has an exhibition vs. the W'caps scheduled for Sep 29th at Ridder. The Gophs will have their hands full I'd say...should be an excellent game.

Perhaps we'll see a few more of last seasons awesome Gopher senior class in a Whitecaps jersey?

I've noticed the differences in roster/players too before. I hoped that some of the olympians, etc. woudl return this year to the WC. That game vs. Gophs should be great.

One thing that may be being missed is that this is the first time that the "world" championship has been played (like we think of the baseball "World Series"). There were two leagues for a while - and East & West, and now all has been united. This may be a bigger deal than we realize, as had this not happened, maybe we wouldn't have seen some of the greats play with the WC and instead look at some of the "other league's" teams.

Here is a blurb about the "leagues" written by one of the people that passed along the press release posted earlier:

As you may/may not know this will be the Whitecaps 3rd season playing National level hockey.

The first two years, there were 2 different leagues, the WWHL (western teams), and the WNHL (eastern teams). Each league had their own separate schedule, playoffs, and Championships.

This year both the East and the West leagues will merge at the end of their respective seasons to play for the Clarkson Cup. This will be the first nationwide Championship game for women's hockey beyond college and beyond the Olympic National team. It is definitely an exciting time for women's hockey!

Please take some time to read the press release and also feel free to pass this press release on to others.

I doubt Jenny Potter will be playing, as she is expecting her second child in January.