Tensions "are escalating" between the Canadian Women's Hockey League and the NWHL, as the Canadian league is challenging the NWHL's "rights to the trademark 'NWHL' in Canada," according to Donna Spencer of the CP. The Ontario Women's Hockey Association also has "joined the CWHL's challenge." A challenge to the trademark "hasn't been filed" in the U.S. The CWHL's move "may be to block potential NWHL expansion into Canada." The current four-team NWHL, based in the U.S., "has played one season" and the league "has until June 13 to counterfile." While the two leagues "managed to agree at the last minute to a women's scrimmage" at this year's NHL All-Star Game, relations "have been frosty" (CP, 4/28).
OFF TO COURT? The AP's John Wawrow noted former NWHL investor Mike Moran yesterday filed a lawsuit "seeking to recoup more than $200,000 he said he invested" to help launch the league. Moran is "demanding his investment back after a dispute with NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan" over what he says was his 40% stake in "establishing North America's first hockey league to pay female players a salary." After stepping down from his role because of what he called a soured friendship with Rylan, Moran said that an agreement "was reached in which his investments would be considered a loan." He added that attempts to negotiate a repayment plan ended when "talks broke off in February after" NWHL COO George Speirs was fired (AP, 4/27).
