Earlier this week the CWHL announced that Toronto Furies general manager Rebecca Michael has been appointed the league’s Director of Hockey Operations.

Michael has served as Toronto’s GM for five seasons. Under her tenure, the Furies had a regular season record of 43-63-13, and won the Clarkson Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2014.  An alumna of both the Furies and the Mississauga Chiefs (as Rebecca Davies), she was the first former CWHL player to become a GM for the league. She also wore a second hat as CWHL Manager of Community and Special Events.

It has not been officially announced that Michael is stepping down as general manager, however the five general managers report to the Director of Hockey Operations, which would make continuing on somewhat complicated. New general manager job descriptions posted on the league’s website today also indicate that the position of GM has moved from a part-time to a full-time role this year.

Four general manager positions open in the CWHL for 2017-18 season

Another interesting tidbit hidden in the job descriptions:

Τhe CWHL plays a 30-game regular season, with 15 home games and 15 away.  Games are played on weekends from October through March.

It seems the league’s schedule is increasing by six games. The last time the CWHL schedule was 30 games was the 2010-11 season.

With these new moves and the recently announced hiring of Jamie Lavin as the new Director of Business Development, it looks like good things are afoot for the CWHL going into the 2017-18 season.

Women's HockeyCanadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL)