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angelkissiies · 1 year

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brute

abby anderson x reader

cw : hockey!abby , cheerleader!reader , modern!au , m*n , bigotry , usage of slurs ( fag ) , incel , alluded frat tactics ( roof*es ) , violence .

wc : 2.4K

a / n : if you see any grammatical issues , SQUINT , ive never proofread a single thing in my entire life

You shuffled into your seat, letting your bag drop onto the floor next to your feet. It was pretty quiet in the rink, the soft sound of chattering coming from the locker rooms as you settled in– fishing around in your stuff for your laptop. It was a slow day for you, only a couple classes worth of homework to complete, so you’d decided to tag along with Abby to practice for a show while you fought your calculus assignments. Since it was the start of the season, new kids had been brought onto the team which made a ton of sense as a gaggle of 19 year olds raced down the aisles toward the ice– just barely missing your water bottle. “Jeez.” You huffed, pulling your stuff further from the walkway, not willing to risk the ridiculously expensive tumbler Abby had gotten you.

It wasn’t unusual for you to accompany her, seeing as the rink was like a second home to you, the team not minding for the most part– Abby had joked before that the judgment of a pretty girl whipped them more into shape, their plays being better when you were around compared to when you werent.

Abby was beyond annoyed already, following behind the newbies with a scowl. This was the worst part of a new season, given that these kids didn’t know the ways of the team, not that she fully blamed them. She just hated the prospect of dealing with multiple egotistical freshmen in such a small place, their voices managing to carry throughout the entire rink. She held her skates close to her side, nudging the rink door open with the tip of her toes, settling onto one of the benches to finish gearing up for practice. Her nerves were already shot, having the captain of the men's team call up to the rink saying that he’d managed to get sick– meaning she’d be taking on both teams for drills. She’d debated calling the whole thing off, not wanting a repeat of the fiasco last year.

“You gonna make it?” A voice called from behind her, making her crane her neck as she shoved her feet into the skates, the owner of said voice making her roll her eyes. Nora and Mel were walking together just a ways behind her, sliding into the box before the door shut, their helmets and skates hitting the floor as they sat on either side of the girl. “How much do you wanna bet she bites one of their heads off before practice ends?” The two girls had a habit of betting on her downfall and whilst she knew it was all in good fun, seeing as they held some responsibility as co-captains, it still made her heart jump.

The blonde clicked her tongue against her teeth, shaking her head. “Don’t start this again.”

Mel laughed, glancing down to mess with the strap on her gloves. “I got fifty on it being that guy,” She began, using her head to nod towards a dark haired guy on the ice. He was laughing loud enough to fill the entire rink, the sound piercing her ears as she shook her head slightly. “That might end up being me though, super annoying.”

Abby chuckled, easing the helmet over her braid, making sure to tuck the end into the back of her jersey. “He is really annoying, I think that’s the same guy that transferred from UW.” She added, “I heard he made a big deal out of practicing co-ed.” She slid her gloves over her chilly fingers, eying the boy for a second before bringing her gaze up to the benches around the rink– like she always did, searching for you. It didn’t take long, seeing as you always sat in the same place, her heart squeezing slightly at the sight. You were cross-legged on the bench, her massive varsity jacket swallowing you whole as you tapped away on your computer– a frown etched into your sweet face. She knew how much you hated math, so it didn’t take her long to figure out what you were doing, a smile tugging at her lips as she tore her eyes from you.

“Let's hope he behaves, hm?” Nora sighed, pulling open the second door to step out onto the ice– holding it open for the other two. “If not, god, I don’t even wanna know.”

The girl nodded, standing up as she double checked her mouth guard. It was especially cold, as she made her way onto the ice, a chill biting at her exposed cheeks. Her time away from the sport had reflected on her temperature gauge more than anything, making her shudder slightly. “Is everyone here?” She spoke up, coming to a stop in the middle of the rink, tapping her skate slightly on the ice. It was a habit she’d managed to pick up from you, seeing as you prefaced all of your jumps with the tinestest of taps, she carried it like a piece of you on every rink she played on.

One of the boys shrugged, looking to the group behind him before nodding out of the rink, trading her attention for another. Their conversations were low and muffled, only a stray chortle echoing as they found a way to quiet down. She was equally grateful and annoyed.

Abby brushed it off, doing a quick headcount as she tried to figure out how many they’d be down, her patience wearing even thinner as she tried to focus over the bickering from the group in front of her. They had a nasty habit of not coexisting on the best terms, their compliance contractual. She dropped her attention from the teams as she saw Nora waving from the side, her feet propelling her forward to meet the girl in the middle– fingers still toying with the thick mouthguard in her hand. “What’s up?” It was unlike Nora to look so nervous, setting her brow into a downturn as she bent slightly to level with the girl. “Nora, what is it?”

“We might have a problem, I'm not sure, but it definitely sounds like a problem.”

You groaned as you snapped the computer shut, moving your now free hand to rub your temple, there was nothing less enthusing than math. The worksheets you’d been assigned were incomplete, and you only figured that out once you were pretty much done, so all of your work was for nothing– seeing as when you checked your email an entirely new set had been assigned. It was enough to make you want to drop out, the prospect of doing anymore work sending a pang into your head. You shoved the laptop back into its sleeve before tucking it back into your bag, leaning back to rest against the row of seats just above you. You pulled your wrist up to hover above you, eyes locking onto the time. You made a small noise of confusion, sitting up on your elbows to look into the rink– they all were just standing around, Abby and Nora tucked away near the middle with their backs turned to you. They should’ve already started by now.

“Weird.” You muttered, to no one but yourself, as you picked yourself up off of the bench. You grabbed your phone from your stuff and tucked it into your oversized pocket, stepping down the rows until you were right in front of the plexi-glass– breath creating a thick haze on the chilled material. You settled into one of the rink-side seats, just simply glazing over the players before your attention was caught by a couple freshmen. They were standing just outside of a group, their conversation too far for you to hear, but their stares were hard to miss. It made your stomach churn, prompting you to sink lower into your seat as you pulled your phone out to distract yourself. You weren’t not used to men staring, it was just something that came with being a girl, though you could seem to shake the feeling of dread that had lit in your stomach as you scrolled mindlessly through your feed.

Abby’s heart was pounding in her chest, mouth set into a harsh line as she followed Nora’s hushed whispers. Internally, there were alot of things she’d considered doing. Externally, she kept her feet steady on the ice. She had to give him a chance, right? There was some underlying theme of second chances at play, there had to be– but from the grim expression on Nora’s face, she doubted it. The blood had begun to rush to her head, a loud beating in her ears pulling her from the conversation at hand, hand coming up to stop the girl in front of her. “Let me handle this–,” She began, being cut off promptly.

“You can’t hit him, Abby.” The girl sighed, crossing her arms over her stomach as she glanced warily between the boy and Abby. “He’s just a freshman, just go– I dunno, knock him down a peg.”

She nodded, pulling her helmet off and handing it over to Nora. “I won’t hit him, promise.” She toyed with the straps on her gloves for a moment before, also, pulling them off and tucking them into her now empty helmet. While, yes, she had no real plans to hit him– she wasn’t ruling it out. Her feet dug into the ice, pushing off into his direction, a thousand different approaches coming to mind. She couldn’t deny the anger she felt, some of the comments Nora repeated making her nauseous, though in some fucked way– that’s just the way the wold had come to be. Boys said things about you more often than not, they always had innocent intent though– something these seemed to be lacking in their grotesque banter. Abby wasn’t one to let things like this slide, everyone knew that.

Everyone but them, as they missed her overwhelming presence behind them– still snickering behind locked arms. “The things I'd do to get her, I mean come on! Look at her.” The blonde spoke, nudging the brunette with his elbow.

“I know, I know. Imagine finding her at a frat party, I’d like to get her a drink– if you catch my drift.”

Abby’s jaw tensed, a heavy hand coming to lock onto the boy's shoulder. With ease, she spun him around on his skates, his lanky frame wobbling from the sudden change in motion. “Don’t speak. I don’t care what you’re getting at or what your excuse is. That girl you’re talking about isn’t available, nor would she be interested, not that it seems you’d care. Keep your rapist comments to yourself or find the door.” Her voice was low, fingers now digging into the clothed flesh of his shoulder, face a couple shades paler from the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She wanted to hit him, god so bad, but she resisted– her resolve holding for the moment being. There was nothing she hated more than the audacity of men, her spine straightening as she stood to her full height– peering down at him, hoping that he would catch her drift and fuck off.

The brunette snorted, shrugging her hold off with a cocky smile, other boy suddenly uninterested in ‘locker room’ talk. He shook his head, throwing up his hands in a mock gesture. “You feminists and calling all men ‘rapists’, you’re the real problem with society.” He jeered, looking around as if someone else would agree with him. “That girl isn’t even your problem, so why do you care?”

An incredulous smile graced her lips as she let her arms come to rest intertwined against her tense stomach, nodding slowly. “‘That girl’ as you call her, is my business. You see that jacket she’s wearing?” She asked, taking a tiny step forward. “It’s mine. She’s mine.” It was clear, to anyone who had begun to tune into the conversation, that the last piece of self-control she had was breaking. She was pretty good about keeping her cool, usually, seeing as she wasn’t banned from the rink yet– but the look on his face made her rage double, making violence seem like the better option than just letting him go with a warning.

“Oh, I get it. You’re a fag–,”

You’d come out of your seat, phone angled towards the rink with the intention to snap a couple of pictures of Abby. It was something you’d taken to doing during games, a folder now dedicated in your phone to the candids. You clicked the button to snap the picture, instead hovering too long and starting up a video, making you groan slightly before peering into the screen for a moment– seeing the moment Abby’s fist collided with the boy's nose, a sickening crack filling the rink. ”Oh my god.” You breathed, glancing around to the observing parties– seeing them do next to nothing to stop the brawl.

The boy managed to hit her once before becoming subdued by the girl, subdued meaning crumpled onto the ice in the fetal position, his hands now clasping the crooked bone protruding from the flesh. His friends had knelt down around him, hands poking around at his face in attempts to help. “You fucking bitch!” He groaned, blood leaking down his hands and seeping into the fabric of his uniform.

“Yeah, I’m the bitch.” Abby sneered, tongue gliding over her teeth before she spat a mouth full of blood onto the ice beside him. “You’re off the team. Don’t bother coming back.” She hummed, turning on her heel to glide towards the door closest to her– your petrified face coming into view as she did so. “Practice is canceled. Go home.” She said finally, pulling the door open.

You stared up at her, mouth opening and closing for a second before you settled on a question. “What happened?”

The blonde glanced back behind her, the eyes of the team lingering on her, before she dipped down to press a gentle kiss to your lips. The contrast between her bloody lips and the soft cushion of her hand coming to rest on the back of your head was dizzying– but you didn’t complain, the metallic taste seeping into your mouth as you chased her lips. When she finally managed to pull away, there was a smear of blood on the flesh of your bottom lip– making her chuckle.

“Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about.”

#hockey!abby #hockey!au #hockey!abby x reader #abby anderson x you #abby anderson x reader #abby anderson x female reader #abby anderson #abby the last of us #abbyanderson #tlou #tlou2 #the last of us fanfic #the last of us #tlou hbo #hockey abby my beloved

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rowdyhughesy · 1 year

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The story of us - Cole Caufield

“ I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn’t something about you at all. It was just you “

- anon

word count: 1.7K

I. The day you met

It's been months since you first got to UW, yet this is the first hockey game you've ever attended. You liked hockey but had decided at the beginning of the semester that you were going to focus on school -parties if you felt like it- it had taken some convincing from your roommates but ultimately you had agreed.

Dressed in a Wisconsin sweater and hat to keep warm you trail along behind your friends. Their loud chatter disguising the sound of skates and sticks on ice, the cold air of the rink biting at your cheeks.

"Y/N come on our seats are over here." One of your friends grabs your hand tugging you forward as if you're in a rush when in reality warmups aren't even over yet.

Seated closest to ice in the student section you just take in the atmosphere. Pucks slamming against the boards, players dressed in cardinal red and white flying across the ice. Engrossed in a conversation with your best friend you don't even realise the boy that comes skating across the ice until his firm body hits the boards. The loud noise startling you. Looking over your shoulder you're met with big blue eyes staring back at you behind the cage of his helmet.

His eyes squinting from the smile forming on his lips as he gives you a wave. Cheeks flushed from the attention you stare at the boy with wide eyes before pointing a finger towards yourself as if asking him 'me?' The unknown boy laughs softly before nodding in confirmation. Sneaking a glance at your friends to see them focused on something else you raise from your seat.

Walking over to him you fiddle with the sleeves of your sweater over your hands, a nervous habit you've had since you were a kid.

"Hey, I'm Cole."

II. The first kiss

Your plan to focus on school had went out the window after you met Cole Caufield for the first time. Suddenly the lonely evenings in your bedroom became study dates or movie nights every Sunday he didn't have hockey.

He was your best friend but his smile still made you blush like it did the first time he directed it towards you. It was easy to let go off all your worries in his presence. Cole was easy going, never letting anything bother him for more than two minutes. It was something you admired about him, one of many things in fact.

Laying in the space between Cole's legs, back pressed to his chest you watch the tv series he'd picked out for tonight. Blanket draped across your lap and soft glow from the TV illuminating your faces. It's currently 1:30am but neither of you feel the need to wrap this Sundays movie night up just yet. Way too comfortable in each others embrace.

Cole shuffles in his seat, arms wrapping tighter around you, pulling you closer to his chest. You can feel his heartbeat. Thu-thump Thu-thump. You’re pulled out of your daze like state when you feel Cole’s nose nudge against your temple. Turning your head slightly you get eye contact, noses bumping together from your close proximity. His blue eyes look like they’re sparkling more than usual in the artificial light from the screen. Cole parts his lips, a silent question if he can kiss you hanging in the air around you. Deciding to throw caution to the wind you lean forward.

It’s slow open mouthed kisses and breaths mingling together. Smiles so big your teeth almost clash when you turn your body around so you’re chest to chest. Tangling your fingers in his hair and Cole grasping your cheek in his big palm. The soft fabric of his sweatshirt and the smell of his cologne. The taste of your chapstick on his lips lingering as you pull apart for air.

“I was wondering when you were gonna do that.”

III. The first I love you

It’s a tough loss in tonight’s hockey game. You can see it on Cole’s face as the final buzzer rings, the look of defeat and disappointment clear. Anyone else wouldn’t have picked up on it but you can read your boyfriend even when he tries to mask his emotions.

Grabbing your belongings you push your way through the crowd trying to get out of the stands. Mind spiralling with scenarios of how Cole’s going to act when you see him. All you can do is hope he won’t try to shut you out.

Rushing out a hello to the security guard you stand in the tunnel, picking at your sleeves while you wait for Cole to come out. The minutes feel like hours before the locker room door opens. Waving to his teammates as they file out one after the other. Counting in your head you come to the conclusion Cole is the only one left. Looking to see if the coast is clear you walk inside.

Your boyfriend is sitting in his stall, hunched over with his head resting in his hands. Hair still damp from the shower. Taking note of the jersey and helmet thrown across the room you know he’s in a bad mood. Cautious you step forward before you come to a halt in front of his sitting form. He doesn’t acknowledge your presence until you slowly peel his hands away from his head. Wrapping his arms around your legs he rests his hands on the back of your thighs, forehead resting against your stomach.

“Tell me what’s going on inside that brain of yours.” Cole exhales a shaky breath, grabbing your legs tighter in his palms.

“I could’ve done better, I let everyone down Y/N. I had so many goal chances that I screwed up.” His voice cracks and your heart along with it. Stepping out of his hold you squat so you come face to face with the hockey player.

“Don’t ever say that Cole Caufield. This is not on you, it’s a team sport. You did everything you could tonight and sure it didn’t play out the way you wanted but don’t ever doubt what you can do. Me along with so many others know how good of a hockey player you are. Fuck you’re going to the NHL soon and if that doesn’t tell you how good you really are I don’t know what does. It’s only one game, you can’t win them all but you can chose to learn from it.”

Cole leans his forehead against yours, a couple of happy tears slips out as he blinks. “I love you so much baby, thank you for always knowing what to say.” Now it’s your turn to start crying. Crying because it’s the first time either of you have said those words aloud and you can’t picture a more perfect moment even if it’s the result of something sad.

“I love you too Cols.”

IV. NHL debut

It feels like a fever dream standing inside the Bell centre. A Montreal Canadians jersey on your upper body and a smile so big your cheeks hurt. After a rocky start the day has finally came for Cole to take his first steps on the ice as an NHL player. Standing beside his family in the stands you grip his mothers hand in a death grip as they announce that Cole is about to make his rookie lap. Your heart feels like it might leap out of your chest as he comes flying out on the ice.

He sports probably the biggest smile you’ve ever seen on his face and you don’t even realise that you have started crying. Paul Caufield wraps one of his arms around your shoulders and squeeze you in a side hug as all of you watch Cole skate around with proud smiles.

As he skates by where you’re standing you raise your arms up and start hollering. Shouts of his name and whistling. Cole comes to a stop in front of you blowing a kiss as you mouth out an I love you which he responds with an I love you more.

You know he’s going to become something great in the hockey world and you’re so unbelievably proud that the whole universe is about to see it as well.

Smiling at his parents when he skates back to the tunnel you wipe the stray tear from your cheek.

“I’m so proud of him.”

V. The first apartment

You can feel the sweat dripping down your neck as you drop the last box on the floor. Ripping the thick sweater off your body you plop down on the nearest piece of furniture which happens to be the couch. Cole following shortly after. Both of you letting out a sigh of relief that the last moving boxes and furniture are inside.

If anyone had told you at eighteen that you would be moving into an apartment in Montreal with your boyfriend it would’ve felt so far away but it’s not. Not anymore. It’s actually happening.

Looking around you, you take in the high ceiling windows, dark wooden floors and light coloured walls and it’s unbelievable that this is your home. You and Cole’s home. As if sensing that you’re having a moment Cole intertwines your fingers giving your hand a small squeeze.

Looking over at him you see a goofy smile on his lips that match your own.

“This is real right? I’m not just hallucinating?” Cole barks out a laugh at your question before lifting you up and onto his lap. Resting his chin on your shoulder after pecking the skin behind your ear.

“As real as it can be babe, this is all ours.”

Later that night as you lay close together on your makeshift bed -a mattress on the floor- you run your fingertips on his chest. Eyes heavy with exhaustion from today you feel sleep sneaking up on you. Trying to blink sleep away for only a minute longer so you can relish in the moment that is the first night in your new home.

Cole is softly snoring beside you, having fallen asleep thirty minutes ago while you whispered about tomorrows plans of assembling furniture. There’s been so many huge milestones in your relationship with Cole. But this, moving in together and starting the rest of your lives beats them all by a landslide.

“Welcome home Cols.”

#cole caufield imagine #cole caufield x reader #montreal canadiens #nhl imagine

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krakenshipwreck · 8 months

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SEPTEMBER at KCI at last!!! i’m skating with the women’s league on one rink and there are mercedes and porsches in the players’ parking lot and the U18 jr. kraken are practicing on another rink in a miasma of young sweat and the U16 jr. kraken are working out on the lawn and UW players are hanging out in the lobby and it’s such a vibrant varied hockey community and i’m so glad to be a part of it!!!

#la on ice #it was only like three weeks without hockey but it felt so long!#and the energy is just so much better when the kraken are back and the youth teams start up #year 3 and it’s still so amazing that this whole hockey community sprang up so fast

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6thomas · 10 months

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Although I am a wisco unliker, I will not be tolerating any Charlie Stramel hate.

#charlie stramel #charliestramel #uw madison #uw madison hockey #university of wisconsin #university of Wisconsin hockey #university of wisconsin badgers

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wdwbabes · 2 years

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more game day fits, but a different team

#uw badgers hockey #uw badgers #uw madison #wisconsin badgers #badgers hockey #zach urdahl #caden brown #owen lindmark #corson ceulemans #daniel laatsch #dominick mersch #mathieu de st phalle #matty de st phalle #luke lamaster #mike vorlicky #liam malmquist #sam stange #carson bantle

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lazanskywrites · 3 months

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why the heck am i going to college?

When I considered where I saw myself after high school, I knew I wanted to attend a university; I loved the idea of dorm life, walking everywhere, beautiful campuses, and the pride that comes with attending a university. I vividly remember in my Sophomore year watching YouTube videos of dorm rooms and campus tours of all my favorite universities, instead of doing my homework.

Up until the end of my Junior year of high school, I was dead-set on attending a large university. Then I faced a series of intense mental health problems, and they completely altered my view on college as a whole. Suddenly, I feared the thought of a large campus with thousands of students and I feared the thought of being miles away from my home which was (and still continues to be) my safe space.

After working through my anxiety for months, I decided that I still wasn't where I wanted to be mentally. Staying home to attend RVC was one of the best decisions I've made for myself, my mental health, and my education. I was an AP kid in high school and knew that RVC would accept all my credits; I had 32 credits before I began my first semester--which I wouldn't have had at many other colleges. If I forced myself to pack up and leave for college rather than stay home, I can say with 100% certainty I would've hated every minute of it and wanted to come home all the time. To me, that would be a waste of money and a waste of my time.

After RVC, I want to attend UW-Madison to get a bachelor's in Journalism and Mass. Comm. I have always loved Madison and often go up to see my friends, go to hockey games, and spend nights out with them. They have one of the best Journalism programs, which makes my desire to attend even deeper. After college, my dream position would be a sports journalist (preferably for a hockey team), or a journalist for a magazine.

I am going to college to be able to pursue the career I want, create new memories and friends, find other passions, and overcome some of the anxiety I still face.

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wausaupilot · 2 months

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Perfect 10: Badgers win 10th WCHA Final Faceoff title

Congratulations Badger women!!!

UWBadgers.com MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – For the 10th time in program history, the second-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team claimed the WCHA Final Faceoff title thanks to a 6-3 triumph over top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena. Laila Edwards and Casey O’Brien each tallied a pair of goals, while Kirsten Simms and Britta Curl also found the back of the net as the Badgers…

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#UW Women&039;s Hockey #WCHA Final Faceoff #Wisconsin Badgers hockey

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mangodragonfruit22 · 5 months

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#wisconsin hockey #college hockey #hockey #uw madison #carson bantle #hockey edit #badger hockey #hockey boys

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sporclechezchunklets · 1 year

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UWE KRUPP!!!!! That's a free answer for this quiz, by the way, and is also the guy in the picture.

#Uwe Krupp #Sporcle #My Quizzes #Quebec Nordiques #Hockey #Ice Hockey #NHL #Switzerland #Germany #Austria

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strawberryblondebutch · 10 months

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Women's hockey blew itself up last night.

The PHF has been bought out by the owners of the PWHPA. For better or worse, there will only be one pro women's hockey league in North America this upcoming season.

As a women's hockey fan and as a prospective sports agent, I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter. This post is unrebloggable because I don't want it spreading beyond my bubble. You can absolutely ask me follow-up questions over DM or through my ask box, though.

BACKGROUND

The PHF, formerly known as the NWHL, began operations in 2015. At the time, it was one of two major North American women's hockey leagues, the other being the CWHL. At the time, the NWHL was a big deal as the first league to actually pay its players a stipend, but it was not a livable wage. the CWHL collapsed overnight in 2019.

In response to this, over 200 pro women's hockey players formed the PWHPA, which is a players' association, not a league. The PWHPA's goal was ultimately to have a league that could commit to providing living wages for pro women's players. When their relationship with the PHF fractured, they decided to create a new league from the bottom up. This was slow-going.

Enter yesterday's news.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

Late last night, the owners of the PWHPA announced that they had purchased the PHF. Beginning in January 2024, there will be one league with six teams (3 in Canada and 3 in the United States). Each team will have 23 players. PWHPA players will take priority in tryouts.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Most of the controversy over this acquisition is overblown, or shows a lack of understanding over how pro sports work.

"This is a hostile takeover by the PWHPA!" The PHF had been financially insolvent for its entire tenure and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Its options were overnight dissolution like the CWHL or acquisition by another company.

"Two leagues are better for the sport." This is not true. The CWHL and NWHL routinely cannibalized one another when they were both in operation. Player leaders in both leagues have *always* had one unified North American league as their end goal.

"Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin are evil masterminds who wanted to devour this other league." PWHPA players were informed of the acquisition at the same time as everyone else. The only people who had a say in this happening were the owners of the respective organizations.

"Oh, so these Olympians get to swoop in and take all the credit at the end, not the people who built up the league?" Most of the senior leadership in the PWHPA were former CWHL or NWHL players who had horrible experiences in those leagues and had no intentions of being burned again.

"Oh, so PHF contracts all get voided but PWHPA ones don't?" Correct. This is how a union works. Your enemy is the ownership that promised six-figure, multi-year deals and couldn't deliver. Not the women who protected themselves.

"What have Knight/Nurse/etc. actually done to grow the game?" More than the PHF. I only know a handful of PHF players, most of whom are UW alumni and thus I know through mutual friends. Both Knight and Nurse have been commentators for ESPN, TNT, and other national sports stations. PWHPA members are at the NHL All-Star Game. Sarah Nurse was on the cover of a video game. Every league needs star talent. The PHF has never had that. (This is, of course, the part where I clarify that even the worst PHF athletes are probably better than your median NHL player.)

"Oh, so the Olympians automatically get a better deal in this?" Yes. This is how every sport works. Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper make more than Travis Jankowski and Brandon Marsh. When leagues and agents negotiate salaries, they care about stats, hardware, and name recognition. A 3-time Olympic gold medalist carries a lot more weight.

ACTUAL CONCERNS

Wow, the PHF really screwed its players over. Shortly before the acquisition, many players signed six-figure contracts for multiple years. They just left their families and bought houses near teams that no longer exist.

Contraction of the league. From a financial standpoint, there's no way this new league would be able to operate with a dozen teams. However, between the PHF and PWHPA, there are now 250-ish athletes fighting for 138 spots. This also doesn't take into consideration trainers, coaches, grounds crew, medical staff, and every other non-player who keeps the ship afloat.

So, about the WNBA... It's well-known that, because people don't care about women's sports, the WNBA is kept afloat by its tight financial relationship with the NBA. This isn't as much of an option in women's hockey, because the NHL sucks with money. Like, "the Arizona Coyotes got kicked out of their arena for not paying rent" sucks-with-money. There's not a clear-cut answer for how a WoHo league might become solvent when the respective male league is such a shitshow.

The PWHPA is shady too. In addition to having a noted transphobe on their board (not that the PHF is great with trans athletes -- see Digit Murphy), there's some concern about the association marketing itself as an official labor union when, per the Department of Labor, that's not actually true.

TAKEAWAYS

Most of the ire currently being directed at PWHPA athletes should be levied at the PHF ownership that let things get as bad as they did. The athletes that protected themselves with collective bargaining and who have gold medals to back up their skills are inherently in a better position than those who signed at-will contracts fresh out of college.

Ultimately, I do think that this move was a good one for women's hockey. Having one league helps when acquiring corporate sponsorships and other financial aid, but the NHL's incompetence is a continued problem here. On a human level, the people I feel worst for are the athletes who thought they had a guaranteed contract and are now being pushed out of the league.

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