(ATR) A new agreement between USA Hockey and the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team will see the team play in the upcoming world championships, with renewed promises to grow women’s hockey long after.
The U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team will take the ice after all at the world championships this Friday, having attained a moral and financial victory in their long-running wage dispute with USA Hockey officials.
In addition to a new wage structure, USA Hockey confirmed to Around the Rings work on a new High Performance Advisory Group will begin after the upcoming World Championships.
"No date has been established," for when the advisory group will begin according to a USA Hockey spokesperson, as the composition is yet to be determined. The group will be the first step in seeing growth in of grassroots women’s hockey in the United States, which does not feature a national team development program in the men’s program.
Twenty-three members of the national team came to terms on a four-year deal with the Colorado-based national governing body on Tuesday. The team called off their threatened boycott of the home ice International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships in Plymouth, Michigan.
The two-time defending world champions will begin their title defense Friday against rival Canada.
"Our sport is the big winner today," said Meghan Duggan, captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team following the agreement on Tuesday. "We stood up for what we thought was right and USA Hockey’s leadership listened. In the end, both sides came together. I’m proud of my teammates and can’t thank everyone who supported us enough. It’s time now to turn the page. We can’t wait to play in the World Championship later this week in front of our fans as we try and defend our gold medal."
Duggan reportedly called 500 other American players to ask for their help in quashing USA Hockey's attempts at building a replacement team. USA Hockey had reportedly reached out to lower division American collegiate players along with U18 and U16 players to build the roster. The final pre-Olympic Women's World Championship is seen as a major opportunity for players to stand out before countries set rosters for the marquee Olympic tournament.
USA Hockey avoided embarrassment with the late deal as numerous sporting organizations including the NHLPA, athletes and politicians were backing the position of the female hockey team.
"Today reflects everyone coming together and compromising in order to reach a resolution for the betterment of the sport," said Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey. "We’ll now move forward together knowing we’ll look back on this day as one of the most positive in the history of USA Hockey."
The players will make around $70,000 each per year and potentially more than $100,000 in Olympic years if they win gold," as reported by USA TODAY Sports. The women’s team players also secured other benefits — like upgraded airfare and accommodations — that put them on par with their men’s national team counterparts.
"I’m glad we could come together and reach an arrangement that will have a positive and lasting impact," said U.S. veteran Hilary Knight. "This is an inspirational time and we’re excited to get back on the ice and represent our country."
Under the previous agreement, players only received $1,000 per month from USA Hockey and up to $2,000 per month from the U.S. Olympic Committee in the six months leading up to the Olympics. In non-Olympic years, players only receive a stipend between $700 and $2,000 from the USOC.
"We look forward to the future with great anticipation," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "This process has, in the end, made us better."
Eight countries will play in the IIHF world championship in Michigan, March 31 to April 7.
Team USA has won the signature tournament six of the last seven years and also claimed a silver medal at the Sochi 2014 Olympics losing in the finale to Canada.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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