Toronto Six

The Toronto Six is a professional women's ice hockey team based in Toronto playing out of Canlan Ice Sports – York. They are one of two Canadian teams in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) (formerly known as the National Women's Hockey League) along with the Montreal Force, and the first expansion team to join the league since the collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) in 2019. The team was founded in 2020 with their inaugural regular season held in Lake Placid, New York, followed by the Isobel Cup playoffs in Brighton, Massachusetts.

Toronto Six
City	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
League	Premier Hockey Federation
Founded	2020 (2020)
Home arena	Canlan Ice Sports – York
Colours	Red, gold, black
Owner(s)	Angela James, Anthony Stewart, Bernice Carnegie, Ted Nolan
General manager	Angela James
Head coach	Geraldine Heaney^[1]
Captain	Shiann Darkangelo
Media	Twitch / The Sports Network
Website	Official Website
Current season

History

Following the 2018–19 season, the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) ceased operations and with it the league's Toronto team, the Toronto Furies, citing the fragmentation of corporate sponsors between the CWHL and National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), which caused their league to be financially infeasible.^[2] The NWHL then announced it was pursuing adding two CWHL markets to the league, Montreal and Toronto, for the 2019–20 season if the NWHL found financial backers for the teams.^[3] The league was not able to set up the new teams before the start of the season, partially due dealing to a player strike that resulted in the creation of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.^[4]

On April 22, 2020, the new Toronto NWHL franchise was officially announced as the league's sixth team and first original expansion team (the Minnesota Whitecaps joined the league's original four teams after being an independent team).^[5] The team's ownership was announced as of a group of Boston-based investors headed by Johanna Neilson Boynton, a former competitor with the Harvard Crimson women's ice hockey program. Margaret "Digit" Murphy, former head coach of the Brown Bears, Boston Blades, and Kunlun Red Star WIH, became team president, while sports executive Tyler Tumminia was announced as the team's chairman. The team simultaneously announced its first five signed players as Kristen Barbara, Elaine Chuli, Shiann Darkangelo, Emma Greco, and Taylor Woods.^[6] All five were former players in the CWHL. The team held the first overall pick in the 2020 NWHL Draft, but traded the pick to the Boston Pride. It was also the first trade in franchise history.^[7] The first player drafted by Toronto was Jaycee Gebhard, an alumna of the Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey program, with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NWHL Draft. The team announced Mandy Cronin, CWHL co-founder and former goaltender of the Buffalo Beauts, as general manager on May 11, 2020.^[8]

The team name, colours, and logo were announced by the NWHL on May 19, 2020.^[9] The name was chosen from over 300 entries submitted in an online poll and was chosen because the team is the sixth NWHL team founded for the sixth NWHL season, as well as there being six players on the ice. The Six is also a nickname for the city of Toronto, referring to the city's 416 area code, as well as the current municipality's original cities of Old Toronto, North York, Scarborough, York and Etobicoke plus the borough of East York.^[10] The team colours were revealed as red and gold, the former representing the country of Canada and the latter representing the Golden Horseshoe. The logo is a combination of the letter "T", "O" and the number 6, with a maple leaf in the middle.^[11]

On October 1, 2020, the team announced that they had agreed to a partnership with Canlan Ice Sports for the team to play their inaugural season at Canlan Ice Sports – York.^[12] On October 13, Tyler Tumminia stepped down as club chairperson to become interim NWHL commissioner.^[13] On October 20, the club announced team president Digit Murphy would also be the inaugural head coach.^[14]

In January 2021, the team announced a partnership with the ECHL's Brampton Beast with the expectation of holding joint camps, practices, fan events, and double headers together, with Beast general manager Cary Kaplan stating that "We feel that we have a lot in common, as many people have still not appreciated or experienced both the exceptional level of hockey in the ECHL, or the equally strong fan experience that the Beast provide."^[15] The Beast's head coach Spiros Anastas then joined the Six during the 2020–21 season as an assistant coach while the Beast were inactive due to the pandemic.^[16] However, the Beast ceased operations entirely in February 2021.^[17]

Inaugural season

Due to the ongoing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Six started their inaugural season in a bubble with the rest of the league in Lake Placid, New York, in January 2021. The leadership for the inaugural season included Shiann Darkangelo appointed as the first team captain in franchise history, while Emma Woods and Emma Greco served as alternate captains.^[18] The Six played their first game on January 23 against the Metropolitan Riveters, losing by 3–0.^[19] The following day, Lindsay Eastwood scored the first goal in franchise history via a power play in an eventual 6–5 shootout loss to the Minnesota Whitecaps with assists credited to Emma Woods and Shiann Darkangelo. Breanne Wilson-Bennett scored twice in the game, recording the first multi-goal game by a player for the team. Other Six players to score versus Minnesota included Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Taylor Woods.^[20] The Six earned their first win on January 26, 2021, with a 2–1 victory over the Boston Pride. The Six came back from a 1–0 deficit with a pair of third period goals by Brooke Boquist and Mikyla Grant-Mentis, whose goal stood as the game-winner. Boquist was named the First Star of the game, while Elaine Chuli recorded 24 saves in the win.^[21]

The Six went on to win their three remaining games to clinch the top seed for the Isobel Cup playoffs. On February 3, 2021, the season was suspended due to positive cases of COVID-19 within the bubble.^[22] On March 8, 2021, the league announced that the Isobel Cup playoffs would be held March 26–27 at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, Massachusetts.^[23] The Six lost their semifinal game to the fourth-seed and eventual champion Boston Pride 6–2.

Following their inaugural season, assistant coach Lisa Haley, who had also coached in Toronto as head coach for the Ryerson Rams women's ice hockey program, was appointed as the league's senior vice president of hockey operations.^[24][25] Six forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis became the most decorated player in a single NWHL season, Grant-Mentis earned a record four accolades.^[26] She won the NWHL's Most Valuable Player award, the first Black player to win the league's MVP,^[27] tied as the leading scorer in the league, and captured the league's Newcomer of the Year award.

Transition in second season

In May 2021, the owners of the Six also bought the Metropolitan Riveters as part of the league's push to have all teams be independently owned.^[28] In September 2021, the league rebranded as the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) to promote inclusivity.^[29][30]

On June 7, 2021, Mark Joslin, previously head coach of the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Toronto Patriots,^[31] was hired to replace Digit Murphy as head coach, becoming the first black head coach in NWHL history. Murphy retained her position as team president. The Six added Hockey Hall of Fame member Angela James to their coaching staff on June 24.^[32] At the end of June, Krysti Clarke, previously the manager of operations with York United FC of Canadian Premier League soccer, replaced Mandy Cronin as general manager.^[33] With five picks among the top ten in the 2021 NWHL Draft, three of the picks were in the first round. Picking third overall, the Six selected Maegan Beres from Boston College, followed by Tatum Skaggs fourth overall, and York Lions skater Taylor Davison with the fifth pick, marking the second straight season that the Six have drafted a player from a U Sports women's ice hockey program. In addition, Davison made U Sports history, becoming the highest drafted player from the league.^[34]

Towards the end of the 2021–22 season, the team was sold to a new ownership group including Anthony Stewart, Angela James, Bernice Carnegie, and Ted Nolan.^[35][36]

Transition in third season

On May 31, 2022, co-owner Angela James was promoted from assistant coach to General Manager of the Six.^[37] Additionally, Digit Murphy would be leaving her post as the Six's Team President & Director of Player Personnel to join the Metropolitan Riveters as their new Team President,^[38] but would "maintain involvement, advising on the logistics of the team" while "transitioning from her role as President."^[39] On June 14, 2022, the Six announced the hiring of Geraldine Heaney as their third head coach in franchise history.^[40] On September 27, 2022, Sportsnet reported that Sami Jo Small joined the leadership as team president.^[41]

Season-by-season records

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	Pts^[a]	GF	GA	Playoffs
2020–21	6	4	1	0	1	9	21	14	Lost semifinal game to Boston Pride
2021–22	20	16	3	1	—	46	66	45	Lost semifinal game to Boston Pride

1. Starting with the 2021–22 season, 3 points are awarded for a regulation win, 2 points are awarded for an overtime/shootout win, 1 point is awarded for an overtime/shootout loss, 0 points are awarded for a regulation loss^[42]

Team

Current roster

As of 26 January 2023^[43][44]

No.	Nat	Player	Pos	S/G	Age	Acquired	Birthplace
19		Brooke Boquist	F	L	26	2020	Thunder Bay, Ontario
86		Michela Cava	F	R	28	2022	Thunder Bay, Ontario
29		Elaine Chuli	G	L	26	2020	Waterford, Ontario
27		Shiann Darkangelo (C)	F	L	29	2020	Royal Oak, Michigan
20		Taylor Davison	D	L	25	2021	Oakville, Ontario
44		Lindsay Eastwood	D	L	26	2020	Kanata, Ontario
3		Nadine Edney	F	L	26	2022	Mississauga, Ontario
14		Courtney Gardiner	F	R	24	2022	Goderich, Ontario
25		Emma Greco	D	L	28	2022	Burlington, Ontario
41		Brittany Howard	F	R	27	2022	St. Thomas, Ontario
70		Carly Jackson	G	L	25	2022	Amherst, Nova Scotia
96		Dominika Lásková	D	R	26	2022	Prague, Czechia
8		Leah Lum	F	L	26	2022	Richmond, British Columbia
9		Kati Tabin	D	L	25	2022	Winnipeg, Manitoba
10		Lexi Templeman	F	R	23	2022	Staffa, Ontario
71		Saroya Tinker	D	R	25	2021	Oshawa, Ontario
21		Tereza Vanišová	F	L	27	2022	Strakonice, Czechia
4		Daryl Watts	F	L	23	2023	Toronto, Ontario
11		Breanne Wilson-Bennett (A)	F	L	27	2020	Markham, Ontario
48		Alexis Woloschuk	D	L	28	2022	Winnipeg, Manitoba
67		Emma Woods (A)	F	R	24	2020	Burford, Ontario
2		Taylor Woods (A)	D	R	28	2020	Morden, Manitoba

Coaching staff and team personnel

• Head coach: Geraldine Heaney
• Assistant coach: Kevin Greco
• Assistant coach: Jessica Turi
• Goaltending coach: Nick Grainger
• Head athletic therapist: Cam Borody
• Equipment manager: Kris Franzoi

Front office

• President: Sami Jo Small
• General manager: Angela James

Captains

• Shiann Darkangelo, 2020–present

Head coaches

• Digit Murphy, 2020–2021
• Mark Joslin, 2021–2022^[45]
• Geraldine Heaney, 2022–present^[46]

General managers

• Mandy Cronin, 2020–2021^[47]
• Krysti Clarke, 2021–2022
• Angela James, 2022–present

Franchise milestones and statistics leaders

Milestone	Player	Notes
First penalty	Emma Greco	January 23, 2021
First goal	Lindsay Eastwood Assisted by Shiann Darkangelo and Emma Woods	January 24, 2021
First multi-goal game	Breanne Wilson-Bennett	January 26, 2021
First win	Elaine Chuli	January 26, 2021
First playoff goal	Breanne Wilson-Bennett	March 26, 2021

Awards and honors

• Mikyla Grant-Mentis: 2021 Most Valuable Player, 2021 Newcomer of the Year, 2021 Foundation Award, 2021 Fans' Three Stars^[48][49]

References

1. "HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER GERALDINE HEANEY APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF THE TORONTO SIX". Toronto Six. June 14, 2022. from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
2. "Final Public Communication" (PDF). CWHL. July 2, 2019. (PDF) from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
3. Wawrow, Joe (April 2, 2019). "U.S.-based women's hockey league OKs plan to expand to Canada after CWHL folds | The Star". Toronto Star. from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
4. National Women's Hockey League (May 30, 2019). "We'll Always Do What's Best for the Game". Our Sports Central (Press release). from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
5. Kaplan, Emily (April 22, 2020). "NWHL adding first Canadian team, in Toronto". ESPN. from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
6. Wawrow, John (April 22, 2020). "NWHL's expansion to Toronto gets mixed reviews from women players". CBC Sports. from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
7. Mike Murphy (April 28, 2020). "Pride acquire 1st overall pick in 2020 NWHL Draft from Toronto". theicegarden.com/. from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
8. "NWHL Provides Updates on the GMs for 2020-21". NWHL.zone (Press release). May 11, 2020. from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
9. "Introducing…The Toronto Six". NWHL.zone (Press release). May 19, 2020. from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
10. "Toronto Nicknames & Where They Came From: A Tourist's Guide". Narcity. May 15, 2015. from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
11. "Toronto NWHL officially announces its name". NWHL.zone (Press release). May 19, 2020. from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
12. Forno, Mario (October 1, 2020). "Canlan Ice Sports - York to be Home of the Toronto Six". Toronto Six. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
13. Ingemi, Marisa (October 13, 2020). "NWHL changes governance structure, including new Commissioner in Tyler Tumminia". The Ice Garden. from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
14. Tokarski, Anne (October 20, 2020). "Digit Murphy named head coach of Toronto Six". The Ice Garden. from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
15. "Six and Beast Establish Unique Professional Hockey Alliance". BramptonBeast.com. January 12, 2021. from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
16. "Beast Head Coach Anastas Given Opportunity to Participate in Lake Placid Bubble". BramptonBeast.com. January 19, 2021. from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
17. "BRAMPTON BEAST A CASUALTY OF COVID-19". Brampton Beast. February 18, 2021. from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
18. "TORONTO SIX ANNOUNCE TEAM LEADERSHIP FOR 2021 SEASON". toronto.nwhl.zone. January 14, 2021. from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
19. "Away Toronto vs Home Riveters Jan 23, 2021 at 1:00pm EST: Herb Brooks Arena - 0 – 3 FINAL". nwhl.zone. January 23, 2021. from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
20. "Away Whitecaps vs Home Toronto Jan 24, 2021 at 1:00pm EST at: Herb Brooks Arena - 6 – 5 FINAL SO". NWHL. January 24, 2021. from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
21. "Away Toronto vs Home Pride Jan 26, 2021 at 8:30pm EST: Herb Brooks Arena 2 – 1 FINAL". nwhl.zone. January 26, 2021. from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
22. "Transcript: NWHL media availability on the suspension of the 2021 season". SB Nation. February 3, 2021. from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
23. "NWHL TO AWARD ISOBEL CUP IN MARCH 2021". NWHL. March 8, 2021. from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
24. Donna Spencer (March 30, 2021). "Canada's Lisa Haley named NWHL's senior vice-president of hockey operations". torontostar.com. from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
25. Krotz, Paul (March 30, 2021). "Lisa Haley Appointed NWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations". NWHL.zone. from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
26. Kevin McGran (April 30, 2021). "From the rink to the food bank, Toronto Six star Mikyla Grant-Mentis is making a difference". thestar.com. from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
27. "Toronto's Mikyla Grant-Mentis named MVP at 2021 NWHL Awards". sportsnet.ca. April 28, 2021. from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
28. . NWHL. May 26, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
29. Wawrow, John (September 7, 2021). "NWHL Rebrands to 'Premier Hockey Federation' to Promote Inclusivity, Inspire Youth". WNBC. from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
30. Krotz, Paul (September 7, 2021). "NWHL REBRANDS AS PREMIER HOCKEY FEDERATION". Premier Hockey Federation. from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
31. "Six appoints Joslin as head coach". tsn.ca/. June 7, 2021. from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
32. "Six hire Hockey Hall of Famer James as assistant coach". tsn.ca/. June 24, 2021. from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
33. "Six name Clarke general managers". tsn.ca/. June 28, 2021. from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
34. "DAVISON SELECTED FIFTH OVERALL IN 2021 NWHL DRAFT". yorkulions.ca/. June 30, 2021. from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
35. "FIRST-PLACE TORONTO SIX ANNOUNCE CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP". PremierHockeyFederation.com. March 7, 2022. from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
36. "PHF Announces Sale of Toronto Six to BIPOC Canadian Hockey Leaders". OurSports Central. March 7, 2022. from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
37. "HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER ANGELA JAMES NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF THE TORONTO SIX". PremierHockeyFederation.com/. May 31, 2022. from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
38. "Sources: Digit Murphy to be named President of Riveters". TheIceGarden.com/. April 11, 2022. from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
39. "HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER ANGELA JAMES NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF THE TORONTO SIX". PremierHockeyFederation.com/. May 31, 2022. from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
40. "HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER GERALDINE HEANEY APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF THE TORONTO SIX". Toronto Six. June 14, 2022. from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
41. Rutherford, Kristina. "'Momentum's really growing': Sami Jo Small joins Toronto Six as team president". www.sportsnet.ca. from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
42. Krotz, Paul (November 6, 2021). "PHF Announces Changes to Playing Regulations". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
43. "Toronto Six, 2022-23 PHF > Roster". Premier Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
44. "Toronto Six, 2022-2023 Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
45. "MARK JOSLIN APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF THE TORONTO SIX". Toronto Six. June 7, 2021. from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
46. "HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER GERALDINE HEANEY APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF THE TORONTO SIX". Toronto Six. June 14, 2022. from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
47. "Digit Murphy is no longer behind the bench but the Six are still very much her team". SB Nation. June 9, 2021. from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
48. "Toronto Six forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis named National Women's Hockey League MVP". thestar.com. April 28, 2021. from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
49. Paul Krotz (April 28, 2021). "NWHL ANNOUNCES 2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS". NWHL. from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.

External links

• Official website