Rift appears to widen between PHF, PWHPA women's pro hockey organizations

Hockey Hall of Fame member Angela James opened what could become a widening rift between North America's top two women's professional hockey organizations on the eve of joining the new ownership group of the Premier Hockey Federation's Toronto Six.

Days before the PHF officially announced the sale on Monday, James posted a lengthy note on a Facebook group page in which she accused the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association of stunting the sport's development because of its refusal to join forces. Her message drew more attention when Six player Saroya Tinker re-posted it on her Twitter account.

"Right now, I'm so disappointed in the PWHPA. [Whose] interests are you trying to protect?" James wrote.

"Why can't you work out these differences instead of suppressing and handcuffing the elite women's athletes in the progress of the pro game already made," she added. "Women's hockey is bigger than the PHF and the PWHPA, together we can make history."

James, a Six assistant coach this season, said she was speaking on her own and did not note she was part of the group buying the Toronto franchise. The ownership group is also made up of former NHL coach Ted Nolan, ex-NHL player Anthony Stewart and Bernice Carnegie, co-chair of the Carnegie Initiative, which was established to promote inclusiveness in hockey.

James' criticism drew a response from PWHPA adviser Liz Knox. Without referencing James, Knox tweeted Sunday "management, coaches, front office (etc.) speaking on behalf of players' experience instead of supporting the true voice of the players is exactly why the PWHPA was formed."

The back and forth overshadowed the Six's sale to a group hailed for its diversity.

James is the only Black player to captain Canada's