The Professional Women’s Hockey League has drawn attention for the names it chose for its most prestigious awards. Its championship trophy bears the Walter Cup, a nod to league owner Mark Walter, while the most valuable player award is called the King‑Kloss Award after tennis icons Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss.
A Missed Opportunity
The practice of naming trophies after trailblazers is not new in women’s hockey. Earlier leagues such as the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and the defunct National Women’s Hockey League celebrated pioneers by naming their top honors after figures like Isobel Stanley and Adrienne Clarkson.
Analysts argue that the PWHL could have followed that tradition by dedicating its trophies to women who shaped the game, citing names such as Marguerite Norris, Hayley Wickenheiser and Angela James as exemplars whose legacies deserve public recognition.
Doing so would not only enrich the league’s narrative but also provide a tangible link between current fans and the sport’s formative years, reinforcing a sense of continuity that transcends mere competition.
The chance remains for the PWHL to rewrite its award architecture before the next season, ensuring that the names on its trophies reflect the full breadth of women’s hockey history.