Diverse group of hockey trailblazers buys Toronto Six

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This article was published 07/03/2022 (1660 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Former NHLer Anthony Stewart and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Angela James are part of a new ownership group that has purchased the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation. They’re joined by Carnegie Initiative co-chair Bernice Carnegie and former NHL coach of the year Ted Nolan.

Together, they are the first BIPOC and Canadian investors in the league’s history, according to a release announcing the sale by BTM Partners on Monday morning.

“Local ownership, who believe in our vision to grow women’s hockey and are committed to supporting these phenomenal professional athletes, represents another significant step forward in the overall growth and sustainability of the PHF,” said Johanna Boynton, founding chair and principal owner of the Toronto Six.

“We are beyond excited for the PHF family to evolve by welcoming diverse leaders who will be difference makers and take the organization to the next level by enhancing the experience for our athletes, community partners and passionate fans.”

Stewart is part of Sportsnet’s NHL broadcasts and chair of Hockey Equality. He graduated from the GTHL and OHL before playing six years and 262 NHL games with Florida and Carolina.

“This is a really amazing time to be part of professional women’s hockey and I am thrilled to lead a new ownership group to support elite athletes in my hometown,” Stewart said in a release.

“Together with my partners, we know how much representation matters and how important role models are for young hockey players. It brings me great joy to be part of something special and help strengthen a platform that will make the game better for the next generation and grow the game in the community that I love. We believe the PHF is well-positioned to become a leader in professional sports and look forward to continuing to build the Toronto Six into a winner on and off the ice.”

James, one of the greatest players in women’s hockey history, won four world championships. A Toronto native, she was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010 and has been awarded the Order of Hockey in Canada.

Carnegie, daughter of the late Herb Carnegie, co-founded the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation with her father and mother in 1987, a foundation that helps individuals develop “the confidence to become better citizens.”

Nolan played three seasons in the NHL before a 30-year coaching stint at various levels that included winning the 1997 Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year with Buffalo. He co-founded the 3NOLANS program with sons Brandon and Jordan to “specifically work with First Nation youth to further develop their hockey skills and knowledge.”

The league recently committed $25 million over a three-year period to enhance player experience with plans to expand to eight teams next season, and a salary cap of $750,000 per team. Also included: full health-care benefits, facility upgrades and new equipment.

The Six won the regular season title in 2021, a year after joining the PHF, and are in first place this season at 13-2-1. The Isobel Cup playoffs will run March 25 to 28 in Tampa.

Correction — March 7, 2022: Anthony Stewart is an NHL analyst with Sportsnet, not Hockey Night in Canada.

Mark Zwolinski is a Toronto-based sports reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @markzwol