If women's leagues like the NWHL did not exist, the NHL likely would start its ownGETTY IMAGES
There are currently two professional women's hockey leagues in North America in the CWHL and the U.S.-based NWHL, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday said he is "going to let the landscape sort itself out" before thinking about starting a third league, according to Jim Morris of the CP. Bettman said that the NHL "supports growth in the women's game." Bettman said, "If those two leagues didn't exist, we would probably start our own women's league to work in conjunction with our existing clubs." He added, "There isn't enough talent for three leagues right now and we're not looking to get into a competition with the two women's leagues. If at some point they both want to work with us in ways we haven't been able to so far, we are open to that conversation" (CP, 2/28).
SWEET VICTORY: In Tampa, Roger Mooney notes members of the Gold Medal-winning U.S. women's hockey team last night were "special guests" at Sabres-Lightning, where they were introduced before the game. The team's victory tour began Tuesday in L.A. with an appearance on "Ellen," and continued at the Golden Knights-Kings game. Next up is DC, where the players will "visit the State Department, a Wizards game Friday and the Capitals-Maple Leafs outdoor game Saturday in Annapolis." Then it is on to N.Y. for a spot on NBC's "The Tonight Show" and "another salute" before both the Jets-Rangers and Canadiens-Devils games (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/1).
