Toronto Maple Leafs News and Notes, Player Stats and Quotes, Week 4.

Stat of the Week

6.45%

That is the simple % calculation of NHL teams that have shown support to the PWHPA (Professional Womens Hockey Players Association).  2 out of 31 teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers, have established partnerships with the PWHPA in order to support and grow women’s hockey around the world.  The NHL should be ashamed of that number.

The market for hockey has become almost saturated in terms of it’s ability to grow a male audience.  Canada isn’t really going to grow anymore in that demographic, in fact, it’s probably in danger of shrinking.  The U.S. has some growth potential but it’s limited by the other national sports that have much larger market shares like football, basketball, and baseball.  Europe has some areas like Germany and Switzerland that are still evolving hockey markets, but many of the other countries where hockey is popular are also capped out.

So where do we grow the game?  China?  I’m not sure that’s the best plan, I mean they would have to develop their own league for that to have any real possibility, and that is many years away even if it somehow became a reality.

This leads to the next, and I believe best, opportunity to grow the sport that we love so much.  Women.  Women play hockey too.  Not only do women play, but they have family members, friends, and colleagues, all of whom can become fans of hockey.  The potential for growth in women’s hockey is HUGE.  The potential for the growth of hockey, through the growth of women’s hockey, is substantial.  This is the one area that I believe the NHL has neglected during Gary Bettman’s tenure as commissioner.  He’s done a fantastic job growing the game among men in the U.S., but he’s done almost nothing to grow the game among women.

Brendan Shanahan on the partnership;

"“Over the years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been committed supporters of women’s hockey,” Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said. “Beginning with Brian Burke’s initial support of the now-disbanded CWHL and continuing today, the Maple Leafs stand in support of Jayna Hefford and the PWHPA and recognize their efforts and incredible sacrifice in their determination to form a single, unified, sustainable professional league. Women’s hockey deserves nothing less.”"

I’m glad that two teams have stepped up to do the right thing.  Not only is it the right thing for women and equality, but it’s also the right thing for the sport.

Just another reason why Toronto Maple Leafs fans can be proud of the team they support.  Thank you MLSE.