Brendan Shanahan joins Kilmer Sports Ventures as PWHL advisor

Brendan Shanahan is following his passion back to the world of professional hockey.

Shanahan was named Kilmer Sports Ventures' new strategic advisor on the Professional Women's Hockey League on Thursday. Kilmer is owned by Larry Tanenbaum, the former co-owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment where Shanahan was president and alternate governor of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs for 11 years.

Kilmer became a strategic capital partner in the PWHL in June, adding to a sports portfolio that includes the WNBA's Toronto Tempo.

Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum's company invests $100 million US in PWHL

Shanahan said he was eager to reunite with Tanenbaum and reconnect with PWHL executive vice president Jayna Hefford, who had a partnership with the Leafs when she was leading the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.

"To see [Hefford] now taking on the PWHL and to see its growth, and to be approached by Larry to partner with him and serve as a an advisor, if and when I'm needed, made a lot of sense," said Shanahan. "It's certainly the individuals involved, but just also women's sport and women's hockey is certainly a passion.

"Hockey in general is a passion of mine, and so anything I can do to help, if needed."

Kilmer is the first and only Canadian investor in the PWHL since the league was established in 2023. Originally a six-team league, it expanded to eight last season and has added four more for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.

"Hockey is in our DNA as Canadians, and few people embody that more than Brendan Shanahan," said Tanenbaum in a statement. "I'm thrilled to have him join us in building world-class women's sports organizations that inspire the next generation of athletes, fans, and leaders.

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