NWHL/SDHL Champions Cup Moved From Sweden to United States

The National Women’s Hockey League and the Swedish Women’s Hockey League, announced on Friday that the Champions Cup between Isobel Cup Champion, Metropolitan Riveters and Svenska Damhockeyligan Champs, Lulea Hockey has been moved to the United States.

The NWHL Champs were originally scheduled to travel to Lulea, Sweden to take on the SDHL Champions in a three-game series, from Sept. 26-30, at Norrbotten Arena. The two clubs were also going to participate in youth clinics around the area in Sweden. Scheduling conflicts prompted the NWHL to invite Lulea to the United States to face the Riveters in a one-game winner-take-all series, within the New York/New Jersey area.

NWHL Commissioner, Dani Rylan said, “We thank our friends at Lulea Hockey and the SDHL for working with us and graciously accepting our invitation to host them for a major matchup of league champions in the New York/New Jersey area. The NWHL and SDHL are committed to building the value of these remarkable hockey players and the professional leagues, and we view this event as an important step forward for women’s professional hockey.”

The two leagues added they are committed to increasing the exposure of the Champions Cup in the future. After the event was first announced, both leagues were contacted by executives from around other European women’s hockey leagues, looking to get in on the action.

SDHL Commercial Director, Anjelica Lindeberg said, “The SDHL and Lulea are excited to come to America and be a part of an incredible game for the Champions Cup. Like the NWHL, the SDHL wants to see the Champions Cup concept evolve so that over time we have the best teams from all of global hockey involved. For the inaugural event, we look forward to seeing hockey fans in the U.S. pack the arena and cheer on these two great teams.”

An announcement will be made in early September as to the location and date for the 2018 Champions Cup and any ticket and broadcast information. The Riveters play their home games at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House, located in the same building as the Prudential Center, home of the National Hockey League’s, New Jersey Devils.