CWHL players will get paid, pack their bags

CALGARY Canadian Women’s Hockey League players will be paid for the first time in its 11-year history, but they’re being asked to do more for the money.

Two new teams from China helped the CWHL achieve its goal of providing cash to its players. Players will be paid a stipend between $2,000 and $10,000 this season.

Now a seven-team league, the CWHL opens the 2017-18 season Saturday.

The North American players who have jobs face a decision when their teams travel to China.

Playing the four away games against the Kunlun Red Star and Vanke Rays in Shenzhen over back-to-back weekends requires a week or more off work.

The addition of the Chinese clubs gives the CWHL buzz in a season in which some stars are absent preparing for the Winter Olympics with their national teams.

The new teams didn’t pay an expansion fee, but signed fiveyear licensing agreements with the CWHL, according to commissioner Brenda Andress.

The Calgary Inferno, Markham Thunder, Toronto Furies, Boston Blades and defending Clarkson Cup champion Montreal Canadiennes round out the league. The 2018 Clarkson Cup will be held in Toronto.

The Chinese teams bring international sponsorship and marketing opportunities as well as jobs for players, Andress said.

Nine Canadians are on the Red Star and Rays rosters.

The CWHL’s budget has increased $1.5 million this season, Andress said, to about $3.7 million.

Each team has a salary cap reported to be $100,000, but Andress said the cap has yet to be finalized.

The CWHL will not hold an allstar game in February, but instead will take a two-week break during the Winter Games.