HUDSON BAY – Chelsea Purcell, orginally of Hudson Bay, is making a name for herself in professional women’s hockey. You won’t find her on the ice but behind the scenes as the Senior Director for Corporate Partnerships for the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Purcell grew up in Hudson Bay, playing hockey.
“I have always loved the sport, I was fairly successful playing but most importantly, it's given me so much more in the opportunities I've had to travel the world for hockey and ball hockey. I've probably travelled to nearly 10 countries because of these sports. The network of friendships and teammates continues to grow.”
Purcell works closely for all six PWHL teams. Her responsibilities are managing the sales and servicing team for the PWHL sponsors and suppliers.
“It started at building a strategy on how we would sell, what we would sell at and who we would target. Right now, it's more managing partnerships and finding time where possible to talk to prospective clients.”
Purcell received her degree in kinesiology with a Business Minor at the University of Saskatchewan and a post-grad course on Sport and Event Marketing. Purcell was the Assistant and the GM of the Brampton Thunder, which moved to Markham during that time. The Thunder won the Clarkson Cup in her first year. When the PWHPA Professional Womens Hockey Players Association was formed, she did consulting work for sponsorship. During this time Purcell also worked for the CHL's sponsorship agency.
Purcell said working closely with Jayna Hefford, Senior Vice President of Hockey Operation for the PWHL and Olympic and National Canadian Womens Hockey Champion who was inducted into the Hockey Hall Fame in 2018 has been a role model for her and other players.
“What my hockey career has given me is what I'm most proud of. My pathway only led me here because I played in university and then found a way into the business side of hockey.”
Currently there are no official team names and logos for all six teams. Purcell said they are coming.
“We didn't have a lot of time to build the league itself that they felt it was something that could wait as we didn't want to rush such an important part.”
The players on each of the PWHL teams earn a minimum of $35K USD and the average is $55,000 Purcell said. PWHL players also receive living and relocation expenses, health and dental insurance.
For this first inaugural season of the PWHL, teams will play 24 games plus playoffs. Next season will be a minimum of 30 regular season games. The Playoffs will be a best of 5 but more details are still being worked out.
When asked if the teams will play for a “Stanely Cup”, Purcell said they will play for something but details have yet to be announced.
Other players from Saskatchewan that made the PWHL this first season were:
- Emily Clark, 28, from Saskatoon is playing with PWHL Ottawa,
- Brooke Hobson, 24, from Prince Albert is playing with PHWL New York,
- Sophie Shirley, 24, from Saskatoon is playing with PWHL Boston,
- Kaitlin Willoughby, 28, from Prince Albert is playing with PWHL Toronto.
All games are broadcast on TSN, CBC and SN and can be easily viewable either on YouTube
There are some new rules that have made the game more physical which is what most people are loving about it.
