National Women's Hockey League
Encyclopedia
The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) was a women's ice hockey
league. This League was in service between 1999 and 2007.
won the East Division. The league lasted nine years before it disbanded following the 2006-07 season. In 2007-08, players from the old NWHL joined new teams in similar markets in the newly-formed Canadian Women's Hockey League
.
and Québec
, while the Western Division was formed in 2002 with the addition of the Calgary Oval X-Treme
, Edmonton Chimos
, and the Vancouver Griffins
. The Griffins only lasted one season, and the high travel costs for the two Alberta teams caused them to break away in 2004 and form the Western Women's Hockey League
.
The two leagues agreed to merge in 2006, however this merger broke down midseason, and the WWHL remained independent.
Due to the expected merger, the NWHL was split into the Eastern and Central divisions, with the WWHL teams expected to make up the Western Division. The Eastern and Central Division teams played a 35-game unbalanced but interlocking schedule, with the four teams from the Central Division and the top two teams from the Eastern Division qualifying for the postseason. In the NWHL playoffs, teams played a best-of-three series to determine the Eastern and Central Division champions, who face off for the championship.
Teams from the Eastern and Central Divisions did not play against the Western Division teams at all in the regular season or postseason, although there were plans to have all three divisions compete in the playoffs before the league folded.
, while the (officially unnamed) NWHL Champions Cup was awarded prior to 2006. Though the league and the WWHL were considered merged for the 2006-07 season, the WWHL teams did not compete for the Clarkson Cup
, instead playing for the WWHL Champions Cup. The Clarkson Cup is now won in a playoff between Western Women's Hockey League
WWHL and CWHL
teams.
A list of NWHL winners (winner is in bold):
(Brampton have the distinction of having their home arena serve as the site of all NWHL Championship Cup games ).
other women's top pro-level North American sports leagues
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
league. This League was in service between 1999 and 2007.
History
The NWHL superseded the old Central Ontario Women's Hockey League in 1998-99. After the old COWHL dropped down to three teams in 1997-98, the new league expanded to Brampton, Ottawa and the Montreal area (Montreal, Bonaventure and Laval) in 1998-99. The league was officially renamed the National Women's Hockey League on Feb. 16, 1999 with Al Dawson as the league's first president. In the inaugural season, the Beatrice Aeros won the West Division while the Bonaventure WingstarMontreal Axion
The Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals...
won the East Division. The league lasted nine years before it disbanded following the 2006-07 season. In 2007-08, players from the old NWHL joined new teams in similar markets in the newly-formed Canadian Women's Hockey League
Canadian Women's Hockey League
The Canadian Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's ice hockey leagues in Canada. The league was founded in 2007. The league currently has six ice hockey teams: three in Ontario, one in Quebec, one in Alberta and one in Boston, Massachusetts....
.
Structure
The League consisted of two divisions: the older Eastern Division (later the Eastern and Central Divisions) consists of seven teams based in OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, while the Western Division was formed in 2002 with the addition of the Calgary Oval X-Treme
Calgary Oval X-Treme
The Calgary Oval X-Treme were a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...
, Edmonton Chimos
Edmonton Chimos
The Edmonton Chimos are a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games at River Cree Twin Arenas in Edmonton, Canada. The Owner is Arlan Maschmayer.- History :...
, and the Vancouver Griffins
Vancouver Griffins
The Vancouver Griffins were a professional women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in New Westminster's Queens Park Arena, in Vancouver, Canada.-History:...
. The Griffins only lasted one season, and the high travel costs for the two Alberta teams caused them to break away in 2004 and form the Western Women's Hockey League
Western Women's Hockey League
The Western Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's hockey leagues in Canada. The league was established in 2004, and consisted of teams in Canada and one from the United States...
.
The two leagues agreed to merge in 2006, however this merger broke down midseason, and the WWHL remained independent.
Due to the expected merger, the NWHL was split into the Eastern and Central divisions, with the WWHL teams expected to make up the Western Division. The Eastern and Central Division teams played a 35-game unbalanced but interlocking schedule, with the four teams from the Central Division and the top two teams from the Eastern Division qualifying for the postseason. In the NWHL playoffs, teams played a best-of-three series to determine the Eastern and Central Division champions, who face off for the championship.
Teams from the Eastern and Central Divisions did not play against the Western Division teams at all in the regular season or postseason, although there were plans to have all three divisions compete in the playoffs before the league folded.
NWHL Franchises
The following is a old list of former franchises in all three divisions of the National Women's Hockey League.Eastern Division
- Montreal AxionMontreal AxionThe Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals...
, Montreal, Quebec, (2003–07, Montreal WingstarMontreal AxionThe Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals...
1999-2003, Bonaventure WingstarMontreal AxionThe Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals...
1998-1999). - Montreal Jofa TitanMontreal Jofa TitanThe Montreal Jofa Titan was a professional women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Concordia University at Montreal, Canada.-History:...
, Montreal, Quebec, (1998–1999). - Ottawa RaidersOttawa Senators (CWHL)The Ottawa Senators are a women's ice hockey organization, based in Ottawa, Canada. The organization organizes teams in several age divisions, including Intermediate in the Provincial Women's Hockey League . The women's senior-level ice hockey team formerly played in the Canadian Women's Hockey...
, Ottawa, Ontario, (1999–2007, National Capital Raiders 1998-99, to CWHLCanadian Women's Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's ice hockey leagues in Canada. The league was founded in 2007. The league currently has six ice hockey teams: three in Ontario, one in Quebec, one in Alberta and one in Boston, Massachusetts....
as Ottawa Capital Canucks). - Quebec AvalancheQuebec AvalancheThe Quebec Avalanche was a National Women's Hockey League team located in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Before they were previously known as Sainte-Julie Pantheres and Metropol Le Cheyenne...
, Laval, QuebecLaval, QuebecLaval is a Canadian city and a region in southwestern Quebec. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third largest municipality in the province of Quebec, and the 14th largest city in Canada with a population of 368,709 in 2006...
, (2002–07, Metropol Le CheyenneQuebec AvalancheThe Quebec Avalanche was a National Women's Hockey League team located in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Before they were previously known as Sainte-Julie Pantheres and Metropol Le Cheyenne...
2001-02, Sainte-Julie PantheresQuebec AvalancheThe Quebec Avalanche was a National Women's Hockey League team located in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Before they were previously known as Sainte-Julie Pantheres and Metropol Le Cheyenne...
1999-2001). - Laval Le MistralLaval Le MistralLaval Le Mistral was a women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Colisée de Laval in Laval, Quebec , Canada.-Season-by-season:*See also: 1998–99 NWHL season...
, Laval, QuébecLaval, QuebecLaval is a Canadian city and a region in southwestern Quebec. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third largest municipality in the province of Quebec, and the 14th largest city in Canada with a population of 368,709 in 2006...
, (1998–2001).
Central Division
- Brampton ThunderBrampton ThunderThe Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:...
, Brampton, OntarioBrampton, OntarioBrampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
, (1998–2007, to CWHLCanadian Women's Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's ice hockey leagues in Canada. The league was founded in 2007. The league currently has six ice hockey teams: three in Ontario, one in Quebec, one in Alberta and one in Boston, Massachusetts....
as Brampton Canadette Thunder). - Oakville IceMississauga ChiefsThe Mississauga Chiefs was a professional women's ice hockey team that plays in Mississauga , Ontario. The team has played in the National Women's Hockey League and after in the Canadian Women's Hockey League...
, Oakville, OntarioOakville, OntarioOakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
, (2003–07, Mississauga Ice Bears 2000-2003, Mississauga ChiefsMississauga ChiefsThe Mississauga Chiefs was a professional women's ice hockey team that plays in Mississauga , Ontario. The team has played in the National Women's Hockey League and after in the Canadian Women's Hockey League...
1998-2000). - Etobicoke DolphinsVaughan FlamesThe Vaughan Flames was a professional women's ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games at Vaughan Sports Village in Vaughan, Ontario, Ontario.- History :...
, Toronto, Ontario, (2006-07 as IWHL affiliate, Telus Lightning 2001-06, Clearnet Lightning 1999-2001). - Mississauga Aeros, Mississauga, OntarioMississauga, OntarioMississauga is a city in Southern Ontario located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, and in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. With an estimated population of 734,000, it is Canada's sixth-most populous municipality, and has almost doubled in population in each of the last two decades...
, (2006-07 as IWHL affiliate, Toronto Aeros 2003-06, Beatrice Aeros 1998-2003). - Toronto StingScarborough StingThe Scarborough Sting was a professional women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Mid Scarborough & Malvern Arena at Scarborough, in Ontario.-History:...
2000–2001, Scarborough StingScarborough StingThe Scarborough Sting was a professional women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Mid Scarborough & Malvern Arena at Scarborough, in Ontario.-History:...
1998-2000).
Western Division
- British Columbia BreakersBritish Columbia BreakersThe British Columbia Breakers were a professional women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Langley, a suburb of Vancouver, Canada. The Owner of the Breakers was Nu Global Sports Inc.-History:...
, Langley, British ColumbiaLangley, British Columbia (district municipality)The Township of Langley is a district municipality immediately east of the City of Surrey in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It extends south from the Fraser River to the U.S. border, and west of the City of Abbotsford...
. - Vancouver GriffinsVancouver GriffinsThe Vancouver Griffins were a professional women's ice hockey team in the National Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in New Westminster's Queens Park Arena, in Vancouver, Canada.-History:...
(2002–2003). - Calgary Oval X-TremeCalgary Oval X-TremeThe Calgary Oval X-Treme were a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...
, Calgary, Alberta, (2002–04, to WWHLWestern Women's Hockey LeagueThe Western Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's hockey leagues in Canada. The league was established in 2004, and consisted of teams in Canada and one from the United States...
). - Edmonton ChimosEdmonton ChimosThe Edmonton Chimos are a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games at River Cree Twin Arenas in Edmonton, Canada. The Owner is Arlan Maschmayer.- History :...
, Edmonton, Alberta, (2002–04, to WWHLWestern Women's Hockey LeagueThe Western Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's hockey leagues in Canada. The league was established in 2004, and consisted of teams in Canada and one from the United States...
). - Minnesota WhitecapsMinnesota WhitecapsThe Minnesota Whitecaps are a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team play its home games in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area...
, Brooklyn Center, MinnesotaBrooklyn Center, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2010, there were 30,104 residents in Brooklyn Center. The racial makeup of the city was 49% White, 26% African American, 1% Native American, 14% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
. - Saskatchewan Prairie IceSaskatchewan Prairie IceThe Saskatchewan Prairie Ice were a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada.-History:...
, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. - Strathmore RockiesStrathmore RockiesThe Strathmore Rockies are a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games in Strathmore Family Center Arena, in Strathmore, Alberta, Canada.-History:...
, Strathmore, AlbertaStrathmore, AlbertaStrathmore is a town located along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta, Canada, east of the city of Calgary, within the boundaries of Wheatland County.- History :...
Championship
Since 2006, the championship of the Eastern and Central Division is awarded the Clarkson CupClarkson Cup
The Clarkson Cup is an ice hockey trophy, which since 2009 has been awarded to the winner of the Canadian Women's Hockey Championship. Like the Stanley Cup, it was created by and named after a former Governor General of Canada: Adrienne Clarkson....
, while the (officially unnamed) NWHL Champions Cup was awarded prior to 2006. Though the league and the WWHL were considered merged for the 2006-07 season, the WWHL teams did not compete for the Clarkson Cup
Clarkson Cup
The Clarkson Cup is an ice hockey trophy, which since 2009 has been awarded to the winner of the Canadian Women's Hockey Championship. Like the Stanley Cup, it was created by and named after a former Governor General of Canada: Adrienne Clarkson....
, instead playing for the WWHL Champions Cup. The Clarkson Cup is now won in a playoff between Western Women's Hockey League
Western Women's Hockey League
The Western Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's hockey leagues in Canada. The league was established in 2004, and consisted of teams in Canada and one from the United States...
WWHL and CWHL
Canadian Women's Hockey League
The Canadian Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's ice hockey leagues in Canada. The league was founded in 2007. The league currently has six ice hockey teams: three in Ontario, one in Quebec, one in Alberta and one in Boston, Massachusetts....
teams.
A list of NWHL winners (winner is in bold):
(Brampton have the distinction of having their home arena serve as the site of all NWHL Championship Cup games ).
Année | Champion | Finalist | Place |
---|---|---|---|
2006-07 | Brampton Thunder Brampton Thunder The Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... |
Montreal Axion Montreal Axion The Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals... |
Brampton |
2005-06 | Montreal Axion Montreal Axion The Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals... |
Brampton Thunder Brampton Thunder The Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... |
Brampton |
2004-05 | Toronto Aeros | Montreal Axion Montreal Axion The Montreal Axion were a National Women's Hockey League team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Axion represented Quebec at the 2005 Esso Women's Nationals... |
Brampton |
2003-04 | Calgary Oval X-Treme Calgary Oval X-Treme The Calgary Oval X-Treme were a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team played its home games at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada... |
Brampton Thunder Brampton Thunder The Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... |
Brampton |
2002-03 | Calgary Oval X-Treme | Beatrice Aeros | Brampton |
2001-02 | Beatrice Aeros | Brampton Thunder Brampton Thunder The Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... |
Brampton |
2000-01 | Beatrice Aeros | Sainte-Julie Pantheres Quebec Avalanche The Quebec Avalanche was a National Women's Hockey League team located in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Before they were previously known as Sainte-Julie Pantheres and Metropol Le Cheyenne... |
Brampton |
1999–2000 | Beatrice Aeros | Sainte-Julie Pantheres Quebec Avalanche The Quebec Avalanche was a National Women's Hockey League team located in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Before they were previously known as Sainte-Julie Pantheres and Metropol Le Cheyenne... |
Brampton |
Scoring champions
- 2006-07 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2005-06 - Sommer WestSommer WestSommer West was a Canadian Olympic softball player at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She is also an ice hockey player in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. West has competed for the Mississauga Chiefs and Burlington Barracudas in the CWHL.-Athletic career:West was a prominent softball player...
, Toronto Aeros - 2004-05 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2003-04 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2002-03 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2001-02 - Amy TurekAmy TurekAmy Turek was a women's ice hockey player who competed for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's ice hockey program. In addition, she played for the Canadian National women's ice hockey team from 1999 to 2000...
, Beatrice Aeros - 2000-01 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder & Amy TurekAmy TurekAmy Turek was a women's ice hockey player who competed for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's ice hockey program. In addition, she played for the Canadian National women's ice hockey team from 1999 to 2000...
, Beatrice Aeros - 1999-00 - Karen NystromKaren NystromKaren Nystrom was a member of the 1998 Canadian National women's team that participated in ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics.-Playing career:...
, Brampton Thunder - 1998-99 - Stephanie Boyd, Brampton Thunder
Goal-scoring champions
- 2006-07 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2005-06 - Sommer WestSommer WestSommer West was a Canadian Olympic softball player at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She is also an ice hockey player in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. West has competed for the Mississauga Chiefs and Burlington Barracudas in the CWHL.-Athletic career:West was a prominent softball player...
, Toronto Aeros - 2004-05 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2003-04 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2002-03 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 2001-02 - Amy TurekAmy TurekAmy Turek was a women's ice hockey player who competed for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's ice hockey program. In addition, she played for the Canadian National women's ice hockey team from 1999 to 2000...
, Beatrice Aeros - 2000-01 - Jayna HeffordJayna HeffordJayna Hefford is a women's ice hockey player. Hefford played forward for the Canadian women's team at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010...
, Brampton Thunder - 1999-00 - Karen NystromKaren NystromKaren Nystrom was a member of the 1998 Canadian National women's team that participated in ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics.-Playing career:...
, Brampton Thunder - 1998-99 - Angela JamesAngela JamesAngela James is a Canadian former ice hockey forward, who played in the Central Ontario Women's Hockey League , and represented Team Canada internationally...
, Beatrice Aeros
External links
- NWHL/COWHL website for 2000-01
- NWHL website
- Gazette (daily newspaper) Sharing the hockey dream December 16, 2006.
See Also
- Western Women's Hockey LeagueWestern Women's Hockey LeagueThe Western Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's hockey leagues in Canada. The league was established in 2004, and consisted of teams in Canada and one from the United States...
WWHL - Canadian Women's Hockey LeagueCanadian Women's Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's ice hockey leagues in Canada. The league was founded in 2007. The league currently has six ice hockey teams: three in Ontario, one in Quebec, one in Alberta and one in Boston, Massachusetts....
CWHL
other women's top pro-level North American sports leagues
- Women's National Basketball AssociationWomen's National Basketball AssociationThe Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA) - Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
(WPS) - National Pro FastpitchNational Pro FastpitchNational Pro Fastpitch , formerly the Women's Pro Softball League , is the only professional women's softball league in the United States. The WPSL was founded in 1997 and folded in 2001. The NPF revived the league in 2004 and currently features four teams: USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago...
(NPF) - National Ringette LeagueNational Ringette LeagueThe National Ringette League is the top level ringette league in Canada. It is composed of 18 teams divided into two conferences. The 2009-10 regular season began on October 17th, 2009 and concluded March 21st, 2010.- Teams :-External links:* *...
(NRL) - Women's United Soccer AssociationWomen's United Soccer AssociationThe Women's United Soccer Association, often abbreviated to the WUSA, was the world's first women's soccer league in which all the players were paid as professionals. Founded in February 2000, the league began its first season in April 2001 with eight teams in the United States...
(WUSA) - W-LeagueW-LeagueThe USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
(USL W-League)