2021-22 PHF Preview: an overview
And so here we are again
It’s almost here. The seventh season of PHF — formerly known as the NWHL — and the first since the oddity that was the Lake Placid season. On the horizon is a 20-game season for all six teams, which means 60 regular season games of PHF hockey are on the docket.
The Boston Pride are the reigning Isobel Cup champions but we saw a flurry of activity over the offseason that may very well have shuffled the deck in the power rankings. Each team has both lost and acquired key pieces in their pursuit of the Cup and, as always, there is a new wave of rookies and newcomers who are ready to make their mark on the league.
Now, let’s get you ready for puck drop with some key details heading into the new season.
2020-21 Standings
Toronto was arguably the most impressive team in Lake Placid but it was the Pride who lifted the Cup when the PHF returned to action in Boston. With all of that said, we shouldn’t read too much into any of the small sample sizes we saw last year.
2020-21 PHF regular season
| Team | GP | W | L | OT/SOL | PTS | GF | GA | G Diff | PP% | PK% | PIM | Tm Sv% | SF/GP | SA/GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 18.5 | 81.5 | 75 | 0.913 | 41 | 25.17 |
| BOS | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 19.5 | 88.9 | 56 | 0.938 | 35.43 | 27.86 | |
| MIN | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 26.3 | 85.7 | 48 | 0.936 | 28 | 39.25 | |
| CTW | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 9.1 | 76.5 | 34 | 0.904 | 35.5 | 31.25 | |
| MET | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 9.1 | 90 | 30 | 0.964 | 28.33 | 37.67 | |
| BUF | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 24 | -17 | 10 | 77.8 | 71 | 0.904 | 25.33 | 40.67 |
Note: the Lake Placid season was irregular, hence the different total of games played for each team. The Riveters played just three games before having to shut down operations as a result of a COVID outbreak.
How to Watch
When we first wrote this season preview we were expecting to be watching PHF games on Twitch all season long. Of course, that all changed on Oct. 20 when the league announced that games from the 2021-22 season will be streamed exclusively (in the U.S.) on ESPN+. Note: we are still awaiting details for international streaming, so hang in there fans of the T6 and PHF fans across the globe.
The action kicks off on the league’s opening weekend with all six teams on the ice. On Nov. 6 with a game between the Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters at Mennen Ice Arena at 1:45 p.m. ET. In Boston, at 6:45 p.m. the Boston Pride will host the Minnesota Whitecaps in a rematch of the 2021 Isobel Cup Final and the league’s remaining two teams — the Toronto Six and the Buffalo Beauts — will play each other for the first time at the Northtown Center at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Related
NWHL releases 2021-2022 regular season schedule
Where to Go
Boston Pride | Warrior Ice Arena | Boston, MA
Buffalo Beauts | Northtown Center | Amherst, NY
Connecticut Whale | Danbury Ice Arena | Danbury, CT
Metropolitan Riveters | Barnabas Health Hockey House (primary) | Newark, NJ
Minnesota Whitecaps | TRIA Rink | St. Paul, MN
Toronto Six | Canlan Ice Sports | Tork, ON
What You Might Have Missed
It was a long and busy offseason so you may have missed a few things. Have no fear, we’ve got all the important info here.
Related
2021-22 PHF Signing Tracker
NWHL rebrands to PHF
Breaking down the PHF’s trans inclusion policy
Editorial: One league, under Barstool: The PHF’s near-miss at partnering with a media menace
Roundtable: NWHL rebrands
A conversation with PHF commissioner Ty Tumminia
Tyler Tumminia officially named NWHL Commissioner
The first NWHL International Draft class
A running draft board for the 2021 NWHL Draft
Krysti Clarke could be a game-changing hire for the Toronto Six
Whitecaps, Beauts sold by NWHL
Angela James joins the Six as an Assistant Coach
Grading the Metropolitan Riveters’ rebrand
Breaking down the Metropolitan Riveters’ new ownership structure
NWHL announces sale of Metropolitan Riveters to BTM Partners, John Boynton
NWHL approves sale of Connecticut Whale
Colleen Coyne named President of the Boston Pride
Kate Whitman Annis named Director of W Hockey Partners, Anya Packer named GM of the Riveters
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