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Karissa Donkin

@kdonk.bsky.social
933 followers 191 following 70 posts

CBC reporter who covers the PWHL, women’s hockey and more. karissa.donkin(at)cbc.ca

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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The PWHL announced its first outside investors earlier this week. For the Ilitch Companies, it was a partnership years in the making. My story on how the “significant” investment came together, and what it all means: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Years in the making: An inside look at the PWHL's 1st outside investment | CBC Sports
A "belief in the growth of the game" is behind a "significant" investment in the PWHL from the Detroit-based Ilitch Companies, according to a company executive. The Ilitch Companies and Toronto busine...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
It’s PWHL Draft week, and Caroline Harvey is a name you’ll hear a lot. We chatted last week about her incredible year, and her rise to top PWHL prospect: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
'She outworks everyone.' Inside the rise of top PWHL prospect Caroline Harvey | CBC Sports
The American defender was MVP at the Olympic tournament this past February. Now, she's likely to start her pro career in Vancouver, where the Goldeneyes have the first-overall pick.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Nerves, chaos and then excitement: I talked to PWHL Hamilton goaltender Kayle Osborne about her experience navigating expansion, and embracing a new opportunity closer to home. That, plus how it looks around the league after phase 2 of expansion: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Chaos, nerves and excitement: How one PWHL player navigated expansion | CBC Sports
Goaltender Kayle Osborne, who played the last 2 seasons with New York, is one of PWHL Hamilton's five foundational players.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
It took nine years for Marie-Philip Poulin to win another league championship in Montreal. From years of playing few games to financial sacrifice to injury, it’s been a long journey back to the top. My story on Montreal’s road to the Walter Cup: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Victorious: How Montreal brought the Walter Cup to Canada for the 1st time | CBC Sports
The Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge 4-0 in Game 4 to clinch the PWHL's championship, becoming the first Canadian PWHL franchise to take home the Walter Cup.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
You know Marie-Philip Poulin for scoring the big goals when her team needs them most. But the captain is so much more than that in Montreal, where her team is one win away from a Walter Cup. My story for CBC Sports: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
With her team 1 win away from 1st Walter Cup, Marie-Philip Poulin's legend continues to grow | CBC Sports
The Montreal Victoire captain leads the league in playoff points ahead of crucial Game 3.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Rebecca Leslie’s two goals in Game 1 of the Walter Cup final was her latest feat in an incredible season. It’s something her former coach at Boston University saw coming. My story on the Ottawa Charge forward’s rise to stardom on her hometown team: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Home cooking: Inside Rebecca Leslie's rise with her hometown Ottawa Charge | CBC Sports
Leslie scored twice for the Charge in a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Victoire in Game 1 of the Walter Cup final. It was her latest feat in a career year for the 30-year-old from Ottawa.
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Gary B 🇨🇦 🇬🇱 🇨🇺 @thegaryb.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Hamilton's NHL team also wore yellow in the 1920s
Hamilton's NHL team from the 1920a wore yellow
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
PWHL Hamilton's colours will be gold, maroon and cream. The gold is a reference to the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and maroon represents the colour of aged steel. PWHL Las Vegas will have a green and golden yellow colour scheme, with green being a nod to the desert and mountains.
Two hockey team logos with crossed hockey sticks are shown. On the left, a yellow and maroon logo is surrounded by writing that says Hamilton and Professional Women's Hockey League. On the left, a green logo says Las Vegas and Professional Women's Hockey League.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
The PWHL will expand to Las Vegas and Hamilton ahead of next season. My story on why Vegas and Hamilton were selected, and why the PWHL is expanding rapidly: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL to add teams in Hamilton and Las Vegas ahead of next season | CBC Sports
The PWHL will add expansion teams in Hamilton and Las Vegas ahead of next season, the latest step in the league's rapid expansion plan. The league announced the two cities on Wednesday.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
The PWHL will add a 9th team in Detroit ahead of next season, and more teams are coming. Here’s why the league is expanding, and what it all means: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL adds 9th team in Detroit ahead of next season | CBC Sports
The PWHL will add a ninth team in Detroit that will begin play next season, the league announced on Wednesday. It’s the third expansion team the league has added since it began play in 2024, as the PW...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Lack of depth was the Montreal Victoire’s undoing in the last two postseasons. But there’s evidence things could be different for the Victoire this time around. My preview of that series and more in my latest PWHL notebook for CBC Sports: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL NOTEBOOK | Once the Montreal Victoire's weakness, depth is now its biggest strength | CBC Sports
Lack of depth was Montreal's undoing in the past two PWHL postseasons. But the Victoire look deeper than ever heading into Saturday's semifinal Game 1 against Minnesota.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The battle for the Walter Cup begins on Thursday, when Boston hosts Ottawa for Game 1. Montreal will host Game 1 of the other series against Minnesota on Saturday. It's the most wonderful time of the year in women's hockey. Here's my PWHL playoff preview for CBC Sports: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL playoff preview: Who will capture the Walter Cup? | CBC Sports
Four teams will begin the battle for the PWHL's third championship on Thursday, when the Boston Fleet host Game 1 against the Ottawa Charge (7 p.m. ET). The Montreal Victoire will open its series agai...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Control is the most valuable thing in the PWHL. Both the Montreal Victoire and Vancouver Goldeneyes emerged with a bit of it after the regular season. My story for CBC Sports: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL notebook: Why the Montreal Victoire picked Minnesota as its first-round playoff opponent | CBC Sports
While four PWHL teams prepare to battle for a Walter Cup, the other are grappling with questions around expansion. The playoffs begin on Thursday.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Some key dates in the PWHL Walter Cup playoffs: Sunday, April 26: Top-seeded team announces first-round opponent. Thursday, April 30: Boston/TBD Game 1, 7 pm ET. Saturday, May 2: Boston/TBD Game 2 and Montreal/TBD Game 1 (times TBD).
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Four games, all eight teams, and a lot at stake. The PWHL's super Saturday slate of games will determine the final playoff berth, the top seed, and which team wins the Caroline Harvey sweepstakes. Here's my preview of all four games for CBC Sports: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
High stakes ahead for PWHL's super Saturday regular-season finale | CBC Sports
All eight teams are in action in the PWHL's final day of the regular season on Saturday. The outcomes will determine which teams secure the final playoff spot, top seed in the playoffs and first-overa...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Growing the PWHL in the U.S. is a key piece of the puzzle to unlocking a national U.S. broadcast rights deal, one of the ways the league can make money. Inside the league's sell-out at Madison Square Garden, and its strategy to keep expanding: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
'We won't give up': How the PWHL sold out Madison Square Garden | CBC Sports
Growing its fan base in New York and adding more teams are key parts of the league's drive to get a coveted national U.S. broadcast rights deal.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The Toronto Sceptres and Ottawa Charge play tomorrow in Toronto. It might be the biggest game of the season for both teams. I chatted with Sceptres defender Renata Fast about what's at stake, and why Toronto has been a different team since the Olympics: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL playoff spot on the line in Sceptres-Charge matchup on Saturday | CBC Sports
The Ottawa Charge sit just one point behind the Toronto Sceptres for the final PWHL playoff spot ahead of Saturday's game in Toronto. The game airs at 2 p.m. ET on CBC and CBC Gem.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Lots of people expected the Vancouver Goldeneyes to dominate this season. It hasn't quite worked out that way. My story on what has gone wrong on the ice, and what role travel has played in what we've seen from both Vancouver and Seattle: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
On-ice expectations were high for the Vancouver Goldeneyes. What went wrong? | CBC Sports
The Goldeneyes capped off a five-game road trip with a 5-1 loss to Boston on Tuesday. It was the team's fourth loss in five games.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Thank you for watching!
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Game 1 of 4 today inside the Woolwich Memorial Centre at Canadian university women’s hockey nationals is underway. Waterloo is leading Manitoba 1-0 after the first in the consolation semifinal. Concordia/Guelph and UNB/Montreal are up later, with spots in the final up for grabs.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
The Canadian women’s hockey team was a little more than two minutes away from Olympic gold. What comes next? My deep dive into the program’s future, and how to develop the next generation of talent: www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...
cbc.ca
A team in transition: What comes next for Canada's women's hockey program? | CBC Sports
Long-time Canadian women's national hockey team head coach Troy Ryan says it's "probably the right time for change" behind the bench, as the team looks ahead to the 2030 Olympics.
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Sportsnet 650 @sportsnet650.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Catch up on H&B with Mike Halford & @sadclubcommish.bsky.social - David Amber talks #NHL at the #Olympics - @frank-seravalli.bsky.social chats Olympic hockey - @kdonk.bsky.social on the Canada USA matchup yesterday - @thenickshook.bsky.social closes out the #NFL season 🎧 sprtsnt.ca/3TQMxKh
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Canada has vowed to learn from its seventh consecutive loss to the Americans. But time is running out. My story on yesterday's 5-0 women's hockey loss: www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Canada vows to learn from 7th consecutive loss to U.S., but time is running out | CBC Sports
The Canadians generated few high-danger shots against the Americans, who they're likely to see again in the final.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Canada. USA. One of the best rivalries in all of sport. The puck drops in 10 minutes. Here's my primer on the cross-border battle, and what it all means: www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...
cbc.ca
Next chapter in bitter Canada-U.S. women's hockey rivalry begins Tuesday | CBC Sports
Canada will be without its captain, Marie-Philip Poulin, in the game that begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on CBC and CBC Gem. Both Canada and the U.S. will advance to the quarterfinals no matter the result.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
When Canadian players found out their game against Finland was postponed, all they could do was laugh. It's a veteran group that knows a thing or two about resilience, and they're hoping that leads them back to gold. My story on Canada's first game: www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Canadians hoping resilience will lead them back to women's hockey gold | CBC Sports
Canadians open their tournament with a dominant 4-0 win over Switzerland on Saturday.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Thank you for the great chat!
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Thank you for the chat, Justin! Looking forward to reading more women’s hockey stories on your Substack!
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
Next week, Daryl Watts will be at a Canadian pre-Olympic training camp, working to make the team. Three summers ago, she thought her hockey career was over. My story on how the Sceptres star found her way back to hockey, better and faster than before: t.co/3ATMI2yPLg
t.co
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/daryl-watts-sceptres-olympic-2025-1.7615031
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Thirty players will compete at training camps in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal this fall, in a bid to make the Canadian women's Olympic team. I talked to GM Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan about how they designed the program around the PWHL: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Road to Olympics for Canadian women's hockey team begins late August in Calgary | CBC Sports
The Canadian women's hockey team will begin its quest to defend its Olympic title with three training camps throughout the country this summer and fall. It will be the first time that Hockey Canada mu...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
“They've cheered me on more than I ever thought they would have." My story on why Montreal Victoire forward Laura Stacey has expanded her LS7 Foundation to Montreal, and why she wants to give back to the two cities that have shaped her career: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
How Laura Stacey is using road hockey to give back to the 2 cities that have shaped her career | CBC Sports
Montreal Victoire forward Laura Stacey is bringing her annual road hockey fundraiser to Montreal, where her pro dreams have blossomed, this August. It's her way of giving back to a city that has welco...
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Jacques Poitras @poitrasj.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
A crisis foretold: 3 decades of warnings on N.B.'s aging population. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
A crisis foretold: 3 decades of warnings on N.B.'s aging population | CBC News
Governments have known for decades the province’s population was aging and they would have to cope with an ever-growing number of seniors needing care. The waiting list for a nursing home bed is more ...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
After the season ended, Gwyneth Philips took off to the woods, alone. It’s how she decompressed after a year that saw her become the Ottawa Charge’s starting goaltender, and a solid option for USA at the Olympics in February. My feature on Philips: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Calm in the crease: Inside Gwyneth Philips's ascension to the Ottawa Charge's starting job | CBC Sports
Thrust into the role of starting goalie with the Ottawa Charge this past spring, rookie Gwyneth Philips led the team to the PWHL Finals against Minnesota. She's set to be the team's starter next seaso...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
After an absolutely wild expansion draft, free agent signing window and entry draft, things are slowing down in the PWHL. But there’s lots to keep an eye on ahead of a big 2025-26 season. I wrote about four PWHL storylines to watch over the summer: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
An Olympic year and a contract for Fillier: 4 PWHL storylines to watch this summer | CBC Sports
For the first time, the PWHL will have to navigate a season with an Olympic break in the middle. It's one of four storylines for PWHL fans to watch this summer.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
The PWHL’s free agency window opens Monday at 9 am, and it’s sure to be a busy week. Trades can also be made in this window. With the dust settled from expansion, I took a look at what each team needs to add: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL free agency preview: What each team needs this off-season | CBC Sports
Top free agents include Toronto Sceptre Natalie Spooner and 2-time Walter Cup champ Michela Cava.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
The Minnesota Frost end the PWHL’s original six era on top. Next week, everything will change. My story for CBC Sports on how the Frost pulled off back-to-back championships, and what comes next: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
With PWHL expansion looming, the defending champion Frost go out on top | CBC Sports
The Frost will get to celebrate one last time before rosters are thrown in a blender next week. Expansion draft protection lists are due next Tuesday, and teams can only protect 3 players to start.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
A suspended rookie and a toppled top seed in Game 1. My PWHL playoff notebook looks at what we’ve learned over the first two games of the Walter Cup playoffs: t.co/vHTJCb11f0
t.co
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-playoff-notebook-1-2025-1.7531544
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
The PWHL is expanding to Vancouver ahead of next season. My story on what it means for Vancouver to be the league’s 7th franchise, and what comes next: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Vancouver announced as newest PWHL franchise for 2025-26 season | CBC Sports
The Professional Women's Hockey League will expand to Vancouver and begin play next season, the league announced on Wednesday.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Expansion uncertainty, outgrowing the reserve player system, and more salary transparency. Those are just a few items on Malaika Underwood's desk. I chatted with the new executive director of the PWHLPA about a whirlwind first month on the job: t.co/vJWemNSXEU
t.co
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhlpa-new-executive-director-malaika-underwood-1.7511121
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Breaking down how close Hannah Miller was to being eligible to play for Team Canada, an update on Desbiens, and more. Everything you need to know about Canada’s team at the women’s world hockey championship: t.co/0E9WGnm9pl
t.co
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-women-s-worlds-roster-preview-2025-1.7502568
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
I got the chance to visit Halifax Tides FC training camp a couple of weeks ago. I also got to see the fabulous Jawslyn up close 🦈 ⚽️ My piece for CBC Sports on how the city is embracing the team ahead of the inaugural Northern Super League (NSL) season: t.co/tMcvD7EbyU
t.co
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/halifax-tides-training-camp-feature-2025-1.7471914
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
We've been talking a lot about Ovechkin's pursuit of Gretzky's NHL goal record, once thought to be untouchable. What's the untouchable record in women's hockey? One might be Hayley Wickenheiser's Canadian team points. But there's someone chasing her: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
A mark once thought unbreakable, can Poulin eclipse Wickenheiser's Canadian points record? | CBC Sports
Over more than two decades wearing the maple leaf, icon Hayley Wickenheiser amassed a whopping 379 points for her country. While the record seems safe, one active player continues to keep climbing the...
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
One of the best rivalries in sports resumes on Thursday when the Canada-USA Rivalry Series picks up in Halifax. My dispatch from the Maritimes on the final leg of this season's Rivalry Series, playing out amid the threat of a trade war between the two countries: www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...
cbc.ca
Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series's final stop resumes set against backdrop of off-ice political tension | CBC Sports
The final leg of the women's hockey Rivalry Series begins on Thursday in Halifax. It's the latest chapter in one of the most bitter rivalries in all of sport.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Troy Ryan has an Olympic gold medal, 3 world championships and PWHL coach of the year on his resume. But the Sceptres coach almost didn't make it here. How hockey helped Ryan find a way out of poverty, and how his community in Spryfield, Nova Scotia helped him get here: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
How hockey helped Toronto Sceptres coach Troy Ryan find a way out of poverty | CBC Sports
Community helped Ryan find a way to play hockey in Spryfield, N.S., when money was tight. Sticking with the sport took him to the Olympics and the Professional Women's Hockey League.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
The Victoire and Charge are poised to play in front of a sold-out crowd inside Quebec City's Videotron Centre on Sunday. The push to bring pro women's hockey back to the city started more than a year ago, with a political assistant from Marie-Philip Poulin's hometown: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
A hockey town: Inside the push to bring pro women's hockey back to Quebec City | CBC Sports
A PWHL Takeover Tour game between Montreal and Ottawa set for Sunday is poised to sell out Quebec City's Videotron Centre, as the city makes a pitch for an expansion team.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
Sounds like there are fewer than 1,000 tickets left for this Sunday's PWHL Takeover Tour game in Quebec City between the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge. Videotron Centre seats more than 18,000 for hockey.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
At this time last year, we were talking about firsts and milestones in the PWHL. But this New Year's Eve, we were talking about hockey, and who won a blockbuster trade between Toronto and Ottawa. My look at the PWHL's first season and the challenges ahead in 2025: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Expansion, growing U.S. attendance top list of challenges for PWHL in year 2 | CBC Sports
The PWHL's focus has shifted to hockey after celebrating a year of milestones and firsts.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Toronto and Montreal will face off inside Rogers Arena, typically home to the Vancouver Canucks, in January. The tickets are already sold out. A look at the case for PWHL western expansion, and why pro women's hockey could return to Vancouver: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
PWHL game in Vancouver could be test run for possible expansion team | CBC Sports
As the PWHL considers expanding by as many as two teams as soon as next season, a regular-season game in Vancouver on Jan. 8 could help the province's hope for a team of its own.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Toronto GM Gina Kingsbury was surprised Izzy Daniel was still available in the third round of the 2024 draft. It wasn't the first time she's had to prove she can play with the best in the world. My profile on "understated" Sceptres forward Izzy Daniel for CBC Sports: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
How 'understated' Izzy Daniel found her way to the Toronto Sceptres top line | CBC Sports
Smarts and skating helped Izzy Daniel carve out a role, even when invites to top USA Hockey teams didn't come while growing up.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
When Cornell head coach Doug Derraugh watched a teenage Kristin O'Neill play, he saw a player who was small, but relentless and unafraid. That's the same role she plays on the Montreal Victoire in the PWHL, where her game can fly under the radar. My profile on O'Neill: www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Never backing down: How Montreal Victoire forward Kristin O'Neill found her confidence | CBC Sports
'Fearless' centre Kristin O'Neill plays a key role on both sides of the puck for the Montreal Victoire.
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Karissa Donkin @kdonk.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
New Brunswick's auditor general has found the province's child death review process isn't meeting legislated requirements to review and report on the deaths of children - including limited reporting to the public: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
N.B. child death review process isn't following the law, says watchdog | CBC News
New Brunswick's auditor general says the province is failing to meet its legal obligations in reviewing and reporting on child deaths.
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