FTB: More Toronto Hockey and Fewer Gambling Ads!

Good morning!

Yesterday, the PWHL had a press conference in which they announced the details of their inaugural season, with a draft to be held September 18th and games starting in January — and that means more Toronto hockey!!

We are excited to continue women’s hockey greatness in the city of Toronto! pic.twitter.com/a75VaqDv1E
— PWHL_Toronto (@PWHL_Toronto) August 29, 2023

It sounds like there will be a good amount of collaboration between the PWHL and the NHL, meaning we’ll at the very least see PWHL games in NHL rinks. It would be great if that extends to events like the All-Star game, and, regardless, it bodes well for the start of the new league.

Will the NHL work closely with North America's sole remaining women's hockey league?

That's the expectation, deputy commissioner Bill Daly tells @RussoHockey.

But will individual teams be able to work with the women's teams in their areas?

Q&A: https://t.co/JL0eb35fXX pic.twitter.com/b2ip7jhx40
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) August 29, 2023

We don’t have any confirmation of team names and branding yet, meaning right now, we’re a Maple Leafs and ??? fan blog, but know for sure it won’t be the 6ixix again!

Some news about PWHL team names/logos/branding:
- No PHF team names in @thepwhlofficial. (RIP Riveters, Pride, Force, Whitecaps, Six)
- Several different designers/companies working on them.
- The NHL has NO involvement in the branding of the PWHL "original six" franchises. https://t.co/uPH3ZiNzm4
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 29, 2023

You can check out Cathy’s article from yesterday for a full rundown on the details that have been released so far:

In other good news, we in Ontario will likely see the end of those McDavid, Matthews, and Gretzky sports betting ads that have been all over hockey broadcasts in the past year, as changes in Ontario regulation will ban gambling ads featuring current and retired athletes. The regulation is intended to specifically limit gambling advertising which impressionable children might be susceptible to, hence the focus on athletes and celebrities.

Active and retired athletes will be banned from appearing in commercials promoting online gambling in Ontario as of Feb. 28, according to new Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario rules.
NHL stars Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky have appeared in such ads.
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) August 29, 2023

Full information about the changes in regulation can be found in the press release here:

AGCO to ban athletes in Ontario’s igaming advertising to protect minors | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Toronto ON - The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming to prohibit the use of athletes in internet gaming (igaming) advertising and marketing in Ontario. The standards have also been strengthened to restrict the use of celebrities w…

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Around the NHL, our old friend Jordie Benn is returning to Dallas, at least for a PTO:

Professional Tryout
Jordie Benn (LD/RD) | DAL#TexasHockey https://t.co/Uf7S7b6goi
— CapFriendly Transactions (@CF_Transactions) August 30, 2023

And CapFriendly is up to… something, starting in mid-September.

We've been working on something since October 2019 (almost 4 years in the works) and it's finally, FINALLY, nearly ready for release!

Out target date is mid-September.

Stay tuned! 🙂
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 29, 2023

And, finally, in yesterday’s T25U25 we revealed that Fraser Minten has landed at number 8 after a promising, but not exceptional, D+1 season with the Blazers.