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Canadian Women's Hockey League appoints Chairman of the Board, Nancy Drolet

Former Olympian launches 'CWHL Power of Dreams' Campaign for Canada's premier women's hockey league
Apr 21, 2009
Montreal, QC

The Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) today announced that former Olympian, Nancy Drolet, will act as Chairman of the Board for the league. Drolet's first challenge in this position will be to help the CWHL reach its million dollar fundraising goal and beyond with the new ‘CWHL Power of Dreams' campaign.

"We are very proud to have a notable athlete and successful business women such as Nancy Drolet as the Chaiman of the Board for the CWHL," said CWHL's Vice-Chairman, Sami Jo Small. "With her extensive experience and understanding of women's hockey at the national and international levels, Nancy brings the expertise and guidance the league needs to continue moving forward."

Drolet knows very well what it's like to represent Canada on a world stage having won an Olympic Medal and 6 World Championships herself, including scoring two gold medal winning goals in overtime to win for Canada.

"I am very honoured and touched by this vote of confidence from Canada's hockey and sports community," said CWHL's Chairman, Nancy Drolet. "Many of the actions I took and challenges I overcame throughout my life in business, sports, for medias partners and with our amazing fans were to promote our national sport and to help our youth and elite athletes fulfill their dreams. I'm proud to be part of such an amazing team with our executive director, Brenda Andress, the involvement of several retired National Team players, and an army of volunteers."

The CWHL is a not-for-profit organization and depends upon valuable support from private donations and corporate sponsors. The league gives Canada's elite level players a competitive environment to showcase their on ice skills. Currently the players are unpaid and contribute financially themselves to play and live out their passion. Many juggle other full-time careers and families with their busy training schedules.

One million dollars would fund the six CWHL teams next season. A small amount compared to the millions of dollars available to other major sporting leagues. In addition to maintaining the league itself, the ‘CWHL Power of Dreams' initiative will focus on promoting women's hockey and other activities leading up to and following the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

"We are very proud to have been represented so well at the World Championship by so many outstanding players like Kim St-Pierre, Caroline Ouellette, Jennifer Botterill and Jayna Hefford," said Brenda Andress, Executive Director of the CWHL. "The loss to the Americans for the second year in a row at the World Championship this weekend is a strong message that the CWHL and Canada need to rally behind their own and continue to support these phenomenal players."

With the recent success of the inaugural Clarkson Cup playoffs in Kingston, Ontario last month at the National Women's Hockey Championships, it is clear that women's hockey has an important place in Canada.

"We have done our homework and we have come a long way the past few years. The CWHL will continue to build on the power of dreams with our future partners and amazing fans as we write a new page in history," concluded Drolet.

For a financial contribution (with income tax receipt), send your check to: Canadian Association for the Advancement of Amateur Women's Hockey (CAAAWH) "The CWHL Power of Dreams", 1114 De Rotterdam, Repentigny, Quebec, J5Y 3M2. To get involved in this successful league, to organize an event or for any requests in Canada, contact cwhlpowerofdreams@yahoo.com or visit this web site: www.cwhl.ca

About CWHL

Comprised of many former and upcoming Olympic athletes, the CWHL was established in 2007 by the players themselves and consists of six teams: Montreal Stars, Brampton Thunder Canadettes, Mississauga Chiefs, Burlington Barracudas, Vaughan Flames, and Ottawa Senators. The CWHL is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising the profile of women's hockey in Canada while providing a place where the best female hockey players can train and compete. By day, these women are moms, have successful careers, and graduate from top tier universities. By night, they're Canada's finest female hockey players – unpaid, underestimated, and ultimately unknown. In 2008, the CWHL teamed up with the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) and Scotiabank, the Official Bank of the NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and CWHL. These partnerships have been key in the development of the league. For tickets and information please visit www.cwhl.ca

About Nancy Drolet

  • 1989: First major sponsorship for a women's hockey team - Hockey Company.
  • 1991: Business woman in the health sector.
  • 1992: Personality of the year – Drummondville Chamber of Commerce.
  • 1992 – 2004 : Olympic Medalist, 6 time World Champion, 115 points in 110 games, 2 overtime winning goals at the 1997-2000 World Championships, 12 years on the National Team program with many individual and team honours.
  • 1998 : The "Live your Dream" Tour with Nancy Drolet in collaboration with Hockey Quebec where she goes across the province of Quebec to meet young players, parents, coaches and volunteers with on ice clinics and conferences.
  • 1998-2003: Nancy Drolet & Friends Hockey School, one of the largest hockey school for women's hockey in North America.
  • 1999 : Co-owner of a women's hockey franchise, the Ste-Julie Panthers.
  • 2003: Organized a sport trip to Europe with 2 teams of young women's hockey players.
  • 2000 – 2003 : Moved and developed women's hockey in Vancouver.
  • 2000 – 2003 : Member of the candidate committee for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.
  • 2004 : Official retirement of international competition.
  • 2006 : Initiated the movement for the acceptation of a female candidate at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, of which it was realised in March 2009.
  • 2007: Collaboration with Le Journal de Montréal, CKAC et RDS for the Women's World Hockey Championship in Wininpeg.
  • 2007-2008 : Instauration of an Excellence Program as Head Coach at the college level with the Collège Lionel Groulx.
  • 1998-2009: International key note speaker, Personal and Business Coach
  • 2009: Member of " Olympians Canada –Quebec Section "
  • 2009: Director and Trainer in Quebec for the" Clean Air Champions", schools conference program.
  • 2009: Speaker and Trainer for Team Quebec's "Play to Win" Program.
  • 2009: CWHL Chairman of the Board – Canadian Women's Hockey League.

For information or interview requests:

Benoit Girardin (French & Quebec Medias) Tricia Soltys (English Medias)
LBB Consultants Inc. CWHL Medias relations
(514) 795–9536 (416) 922-2211 x 3278
benoit@lbbconsultants.com tricia.soltys@narrativeadvocacy.com