Breaking down the Toronto Furies (and CWHL) Schedule
By Katy Tearle
7 years ago
Natalie Spooner takes the puck up ice for the Toronto Furies. Photo Credit: Chris Tanouye / CWHL
On July 7, the CWHL released both the 2016-17 schedule and their ten-year anniversary logo. In what is already promising to be an incredible season, the 2016-17 season is also seeing the return of many great CWHL events. These include the CWHL Draft (August 21), the Rinks to Links Golf Tournament (August 22), the CWHL All-Star Game (January 2017), and, of course, the Clarkson Cup (March 2017). Throughout the season, the CWHL will also be partnering with Start the Spark and You Can Play for a wide variety of community-based initiatives.
As part of the ten-year anniversary of the CWHL, each of the teams will be hosting a Heritage Game. The Heritage Games will serve to honour CWHL Alumni and those people who have contributed to the growth of their team, the league, and women’s hockey over the past ten years. Expect to see some big names playing alongside their current CWHL counterparts and mark these dates in your calendars:
October 15th, 2016 – Boston Blades @ Toronto Furies
November 19th, 2016 – Calgary Inferno @ Brampton Thunder
December 10th, 2016 – Calgary Inferno @ Les Canadiennes de Montreal
January 7th, 2016 – Les Canadiennes de Montreal @ Boston Blades
February 4th, 2016 – Boston Blades @ Calgary Inferno
A series of unique features will also run throughout the season on CWHL.ca, providing a look inside ten years of the League’s history, the people that shaped it, the evolution of the league, and the women that are continuing to grow the game. “Not only will we have a chance to look back at the amazing stories and moments that make up the CWHL’s history so far and reflect on this incredible journey, but we will have the chance to look forward as we pave the way for the future of the women’s game and the CWHL.” said CWHL Commissioner, Brenda Andress.
The opening weekend gives reigning Clarkson Cup Champions, the Calgary Inferno, the weekend off, and instead they will host their opening night on October 22nd against the Brampton Thunder in a Cup rematch. The Toronto Furies first lace up their skates when they host the Boston Blades on October 15th in a rematch of last season’s opening night. On the same night, the Brampton Thunder hosts Les Canadiennes de Montreal in a Clarkson Cup semi-final rematch.
The Furies struggled last season, bowing out in the first round of the Clarkson Cup playoffs, and only going 6-16-2 on the season. But the Furies look to bounce back this season, utilising high-scoring forwards like Natalie Spooner (who rocked the CWHL with a record five-goal game in the 2015-16 season), Kori Cheverie, and Alyssa Baldin to their fullest.
If you’re looking for some highlight games to keep an eye out for this season, definitely check out these:
- The home opener on October 15 against the Boston Blades – Despite their struggles last season, the Blades always bring their A-game against the Furies, and the atmosphere of a home opener is not to be missed.
- The home-and-home GTA rivalry games between the Furies and the Brampton Thunder on October 29 (@ Toronto) and October 30 (@ Brampton) – The Battle of the GTA is always a fierce one and fans from both teams turn up to each game, bringing a raucous and fiery atmosphere.
- The Furies take on reigning Clarkson Cup Champions, the Calgary Inferno on December 17 and 18 – Need I say more? This is a chance to see not only your Toronto Furies but also the Cup Champions.
See you all there!
| Date | Away | Home |
|---|---|---|
| October 15 2016 | Boston | Toronto |
| October 22 2016 | Toronto | Montreal |
| October 23 2016 | Toronto | Montreal |
| October 29 2016 | Brampton | Toronto |
| October 30 2016 | Toronto | Brampton |
| November 12 2016 | Toronto | Calgary |
| November 13 2016 | Toronto | Calgary |
| November 19 2016 | Montreal | Toronto |
| November 20 2016 | Montreal | Toronto |
| December 3 2016 | Toronto | Brampton |
| December 4 2016 | Toronto | Brampton |
| December 10 2016 | Boston | Toronto |
| Decmeber 11 2016 | Boston | Toronto |
| December 17 2016 | Calgary | Toronto |
| December 18 2016 | Calgary | Toronto |
| January 14 2017 | Brampton | Toronto |
| January 15 2017 | Toronto | Brampton |
| January 28 2017 | Toronto | Boston |
| January 29 2017 | Toronto | Boston |
| February 4 2017 | Toronto | Montreal |
| February 5 2017 | Toronto | Montreal |
| February 11 2017 | Calgary | Toronto |
| February 12 2017 | Calgary | Toronto |
Recent articles from Katy Tearle
