PHF players send unifying message in preparing to join rivals in new women's pro hockey league

Rivals no longer, a group of the Premier Hockey Federation's more high-profile players issued a unifying message on Sunday by saying they're eager to join forces in helping launch a new women's professional hockey league in January — even as it comes at the expense of their league.

The statement was released by 11 players, featuring at least one representative from each of the league's seven franchises, and comes three days after the PHF essentially ceased operations. The PHF was bought out by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter, one of the financial backers behind the new league he's helping establish with the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association.

And the message comes as PHF players sit on the sideline while PWHPA members have until Sunday night to submit their votes to ratify a collective bargaining agreement and constitution.

"Today, all women's hockey players are united stronger than ever as we enter this new era," the statement read. "As we embark on another league formation, we bring the power and the infrastructure we fought to build. We are hugely excited to see a unified league that will house all the best athletes that hockey has to offer and aim to build the strongest league that can stand the test of time."

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The players have formed a leadership committee, and include Boston Pride captain Jillian Dempsey, who holds the PHF record for goals, points and games played, Connecticut Whale's Kacey Bellamy, a former U.S. Olympian and former PWHPA member, and Montreal Force's Ann-Sophie Bettez, who played on Canada's national team and is also a former PWHPA member.

If approved, the CBA will run through 2031 and features a salary range of