There isn’t a specific Story of the Week this week, for a number of reasons.

One of the most important things to happen over the last fortnight in terms of international hockey was the Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Cup. We’ve included a section on that, but it doesn’t get much coverage, so there’s not much we can say about it. Theoretically para ice hockey is coed (witness the several dozen stories from Pyeongchang about Lena Schroeder, the token woman) which is part of the reason there’s not even substantial support or recognition from the various national hockey governing bodies for the women’s teams.  Still, these women are working as hard as anyone else to “grow the game” and they should be recognized. Check out the twitter hashtag  #WPIHWC2018 to see what all the teams got up to.

There was the visit to the White House which has been discussed to death on twitter.

The CWHL, NWHL, WNBA, USTA and other women’s sports leagues have banded together to launch the SheIS campaign, encouraging support of women’s sports through attendance, social media posts and donations. Officials and athletes from each league have committed to supporting each other by attending women’s sporting events outside of their respective sports and encouraging the public to do so as well.

The Ice Garden has started a bit of a year in review, counting down the top 5 rookies in the NWHL last season. It’s a series worth keeping an eye on, whether you agree or disagree with their conclusions. The NWHL has also announced that free agent signings will start on June 1, which is very far away.

Digit Murphy was relieved of her head coaching duties with Kunlun Red Star, Kacy Ambroz has left the Boston Blades, and the Toronto Furies are in search of a new GM (Okay we don’t have a story on the last one but if you live in the Toronto area and are interested, check out the league website or indeed.ca for details).

It’s signing and retirement season in the European leagues, so there’s a bunch of short pieces from that area - Elite Prospects is also a good place to check if you just want to keep an eye on who’s moving around.

Para ice hockey

Second women’s Para Ice Hockey Cup begins
Development camp will run alongside elite competition to identify new female players

Ostrava ready to host Para Ice Hockey Cup with growth of women's game among main aims
The second edition of the Women’s Para Ice Hockey Cup is due to begin tomorrow in Ostrava with the United States, Canada and Team Europe set to battle...

Canada and the United States book final places at second Women’s Para Ice Hockey Cup in Ostrava
Canada and the United States will contest the second edition of the Women’s Para Ice Hockey Cup in Ostrava tomorrow.

United States beat Canada to win second Women's Para Ice Hockey World Cup
United States gained a 1-0 win over Canada today to triumph at the Women's Para Ice Hockey Cup in Ostrava.

International hockey

IIHF Women’s World Ranking out
There are 38 countries ranked this year. A ranking came out immediately following the Olympics, so the indications of movement up or down are only since February.

President Trump hosts Team USA at White House (video) – OlympicTalk
More than 200 Olympic and Paralympic team members were scheduled to attend, though notable stars were absent for various reasons.

U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team Honored At The 2018 Team USA Awards
Squads earn Olympic and Paralympic Team of the Games honors

Hamad Al Qubaisi calls on investors to help build ice rink on Yas Island - The National
UAE Ice Sports Federation vice-president sends open invitation at conclusion of women's Gulf Clubs Cup at Zayed Sports City

Items of unsung First Nations women’s hockey star go to Hockey Hall of Fame | TheColorOfHockey
Bev Beaver was one of Canada's best women's hockey players, and perhaps one of the country's least-known.

Hockey Canada brings 4 Nations Cup to Saskatoon
Marquee international women’s tournament features eight games at SaskTel Centre

NCAA

Ashleigh Brykaliuk Joins Minnesota Duluth as an Assistant Coach - The Ice Garden
The 2017 graduate of Duluth will come back stateside after spending a season with the Vanke Rays

Katie Burt named BC Eagle of the Year - Itemlive : Itemlive
Katie Burt, a Lynn resident who has made her mark from Little League on up to her status as one of the elite women’s hockey goalies in the country, has left an indelible impression on Boston College as well.

Former UW Badgers goalie Alannah McCready goes from the crease to country music | Music | host.madison.com
As a teenager in Blaine, Minnesota, Alannah McCready would often be called upon to sing the national anthem at her high school’s hockey games. After she finished singing, she’d pull

College women's hockey: Minnesota Cup to debut in 2018-19 | Duluth News Tribune
The University of Minnesota's Ridder Arena in Minneapolis will host the inaugural Minnesota Cup on Jan. 5-6, 2019, featuring the Gophers, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State in a tournament format.

NWHL

NWHL Free Agency Begins June 1 - The Ice Garden
Today the NWHL announced that free agency for its fourth season will begin on June 1.

The landscape of the NWHL without national team skaters - The Ice Garden
A statistical analysis of the performance of NWHL skaters across the league’s first three seasons.

TIG’s NWHL Top 5 Rookies: Honorable Mentions - The Ice Garden
Three rookies who didn’t quite crack TIG’s voting

NWHL Top Five Rookies: Maddie Elia - The Ice Garden
Take it or leave it, Elia’s game made an impact for the Beauts

Reflecting on Harrison Browne’s Inspiring NWHL career - The Ice Garden
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened

Elyria Sports Hall of Fame: EC's McLaughlin accomplished goals by stopping them
Sometimes an Olympic career can begin with a simple bet.

Rink Ink: Q&A with Connecticut Whale goalie Keira Goin - The Ice Garden
Goalie Keira Goin of the Connecticut Whale talks about her tattoos.

Erie woman earns way to top as hockey official
Erie's lone female hockey referee rising up the officiating ranks.

CWHL

Women’s sports leagues band together with SheIS initiative - The Washington Post
Women’s sports leagues are banding together with a new initiative, SheIS.

Hockey Friday with Erica Ayala, May 4, 2018
Erika has some thoughts on the new SheIS initiative.

Longtime Inferno defender Jacquie Pierri retires - The Ice Garden
The Brown alumna spent her five year CWHL career in Calgary

Toronto Furies player shares her coming-out story | The Toronto Observer
Coming out to her friends, family and fans was a difficult process for 28-year-old Jessica Platt, as transgender was never a label she went by.

Kacy Ambroz resigns as head coach of the Boston Blades - The Ice Garden
The Blades are once again in search of a new bench boss.

Digit Murphy relieved of Kunlun Red Star and Team China coaching duties - The Ice Garden
The former head coach will take a position on KRS board.

AWIHL (Australia)

Sydney Sirens 2018 player awards | Ice Hockey News Australia
The Sydney Sirens have announced their player awards for the 2017-18 AWIHL season.

Brisbane Goannas 2018 player awards | Ice Hockey News Australia
The Brisbane Goannas have announced their player awards for the 2017-18 AWIHL season.

European club hockey

SDHL (Sweden) From Lock to Lion: Eveliina Suonpää signs with Linköping HC - The Ice Garden
Naisleijonat goaltender and two-time Olympian moves to Sweden.

International Hockey Champ Mira Jalosuo Is All About Values
Finland's Mira Jalosuo is one of the most decorated hockey players in either women's or men's hockey, and yet likely you haven't heard of her.

Riikka Välilä Says Yes To One More Year - The Ice Garden
The legend continues as Välilä re-signs in the SDHL.

Leksand’s Leon Reuterström publicly comes out as transgender, retires from women’s hockey - The Ice Garden
"From now on, I’m Leon ..."

WHL (Russia) Women’s Hockey Update: April 30th, 2018 | CONWAY'S RUSSIAN HOCKEY BLOG
Read on, for some official recognition for champions Agidel, for an overdue international hockey update, and other notes.

SWHL (Switzerland) The IX Newsletter: Hockey Friday with Erica Ayala, April 27, 2018
Featuring an interview with HC Lugano’s Blake Bolden

Men’s Hockey

The first woman in the MySports League - Vanessa Bolinger joins EHC Chur - swisshockeynews.ch
For the upcoming season, SC Reinach's Vanessa Bolinger joins EHC Chur's men's team. She will become the first woman to play in the MySports League.

2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs - AJ Mleczko making her mark as first woman to work as in-booth analyst in NHL playoff history
The Olympic star is thrilled for her opportunity, but hopes to be remembered more for her knowledge than for being the first woman on the job.

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