[News] CWHL Expanding into China

[CMPunk]

http://www.theicegarden.com/2017/5/1...team-2017-2018

Apparently to get ready for the 2022 Olympics, they are sending a team to the CWHL and having training camp in China. I've heard they are having a press conference today.

[CroFlames]

A club team in China should really help with controlling costs for a league that is just swimming in cash.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

A club team in China should really help with controlling costs for a league that is just swimming in cash.

My thoughts exactly. The only thing that would allow this to make sense is if this team in China paid an absurd amount of money to join the league that the CWHL couldn't decline.

[Weitz]

They don't pay the players right? Shouldn't they focus on that first?

[GirlySports]

i dont know if the cost is much greater. There surely won't be an actual game in China. They'll just have training camps in China but the season and day-to-day training will be here.

[sharkov]

That team can expect to win their division every year.....

[craigwd]

Awesome news and huge for the league.

Noora Raty leaves her men's league and finally comes over to play in the CWHL and Kelli Stack makes her return after jumping to the NWHL.

Originally Posted by Swayze11

My thoughts exactly. The only thing that would allow this to make sense is if this team in China paid an absurd amount of money to join the league that the CWHL couldn't decline.

Red Star did pay a significant entrance fee to enter the league.
The CWHL also gets big advertising dollars.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

i dont know if the cost is much greater. There surely won't be an actual game in China. They'll just have training camps in China but the season and day-to-day training will be here.

Red Star will be based in Shenzen and will make 5 road trips to Canada/Boston to play away games - likely a Friday/Saturday/Sunday series rather than the usual Sat/Sun games the other teams do.

This is what the Inferno used to do.

The other five teams will make one trip each to China to play a 3 game series there.

This will push the schedule to 30 games instead of 24.

Originally Posted by Weitz

They don't pay the players right? Shouldn't they focus on that first?

Always the intention and the goal.
However, growing the league and making sure it is strong enough to sustain consistent salaries is better than paying inconsistent, pitiful amounts that could bankrupt the league.

[savemedrzaius]

Is this good hockey? I live an hour train ride from Shenzhen and have to go there quite often. I'm pretty desperate for live hockey.

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Is this good hockey? I live an hour train ride from Shenzhen and have to go there quite often. I'm pretty desperate for live hockey.

I went to an Inferno game and it was really good, def going to go to a few more next season.

[craigwd]

Depends on what you're expectations are when it comes to the women's game.

Personally, I think it's really good hockey. Good pace, back and forth action.
Especially for Calgary since we have a really good team with many all stars.

For Red Star, I imagine it will depend on what kind of team they put together.
I'm expecting they bring in a few more women from other international leagues, a couple of NCAA players not already in the CWHL or NWHL + a few of the Chinese national team members.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by craigwd

Depends on what you're expectations are when it comes to the women's game.

Personally, I think it's really good hockey. Good pace, back and forth action.
Especially for Calgary since we have a really good team with many all stars.

Except this year, the Olympians won't be playing as they'll be in camp.