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Toronto Six
Toronto Six
Toronto Six
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The Toronto Six were a professional ice hockey team in Toronto, playing out of Canlan Ice Sports – York. They were one of two Canadian teams in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) along with the Montreal Force, and the first expansion team to join the league since the collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) in 2019. The team was founded in 2020 with their inaugural regular season held in Lake Placid, New York, followed by the Isobel Cup playoffs in Brighton, Massachusetts.

Key Information

The Six won the 2023 Isobel Cup.[2] This made the Six the PHF's final championship team as the league and its teams were dissolved to make way for the new Professional Women's Hockey League, a unified professional league effectively consolidating the PHF and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.[3]

History

[edit]

Following the 2018–19 season, the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) and its teams—including the Toronto Furies—ceased operations, citing the fragmentation of corporate sponsors between the CWHL and National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), which caused their league to be financially infeasible.[4] The NWHL then announced it was pursuing adding two CWHL markets to the league, Montreal and Toronto, for the 2019–20 season if the NWHL found financial backers for the teams.[5] The league was not able to set up the new teams before the start of the season, partially due to a player strike that resulted in the creation of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.[6]

On April 22, 2020, the new Toronto NWHL franchise was officially announced as the league's sixth team and first original expansion team (the Minnesota Whitecaps joined the league's original four teams after being an independent team).[7] The team's ownership was announced as a group of Boston-based investors headed by Johanna Neilson Boynton, a former competitor with the Harvard Crimson women's ice hockey program. Margaret "Digit" Murphy, former head coach of the Brown Bears, Boston Blades, and Kunlun Red Star WIH, became team president, while sports executive Tyler Tumminia was announced as the team's chairman. The team simultaneously announced its first five signed players as Kristen Barbara, Elaine Chuli, Shiann Darkangelo, Emma Greco, and Taylor Woods.[8] All five were former players in the CWHL. The team held the first overall pick in the 2020 NWHL Draft, but traded the pick to the Boston Pride. It was also the first trade in franchise history.[9] The first player drafted by Toronto was Jaycee Gebhard, an alumna of the Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey program, with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NWHL Draft. The team announced Mandy Cronin, CWHL co-founder and former goaltender of the Buffalo Beauts, as general manager on May 11, 2020.[10]

The team name, colours, and logo were announced by the NWHL on May 19, 2020.[11] The name was chosen from over 300 entries submitted in an online poll and was chosen because the team is the sixth NWHL team founded for the sixth NWHL season, as well as there being six players on the ice. The Six is also a nickname for the city of Toronto, referring to the city's 416 area code, as well as the current municipality's original cities of Old Toronto, North York, Scarborough, York and Etobicoke plus the borough of East York.[12] The team colours were revealed as red and gold, the former representing the country of Canada and the latter representing the Golden Horseshoe. The logo is a combination of the letter "T", "O" and the number 6, with a maple leaf in the middle.[13]

On October 1, 2020, the team announced that they had agreed to a partnership with Canlan Ice Sports for the team to play their inaugural season at Canlan Ice Sports – York.[14] On October 13, Tyler Tumminia stepped down as club chairperson to become interim NWHL commissioner.[15] On October 20, the club announced team president Digit Murphy would also be the inaugural head coach.[16]

In January 2021, the team announced a partnership with the ECHL's Brampton Beast with the expectation of holding joint camps, practices, fan events, and double headers together, with Beast general manager Cary Kaplan stating that "We feel that we have a lot in common, as many people have still not appreciated or experienced both the exceptional level of hockey in the ECHL, or the equally strong fan experience that the Beast provide."[17] The Beast's head coach Spiros Anastas then joined the Six during the 2020–21 season as an assistant coach while the Beast were inactive due to the pandemic.[18] However, the Beast ceased operations entirely in February 2021.[19]

Inaugural season

[edit]

Due to the ongoing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Six started their inaugural season in a bubble with the rest of the league in Lake Placid, New York, in January 2021. The leadership for the inaugural season included Shiann Darkangelo appointed as the first team captain in franchise history, while Emma Woods and Emma Greco served as alternate captains.[20] The Six played their first game on January 23 against the Metropolitan Riveters, losing by 3–0.[21] The following day, Lindsay Eastwood scored the first goal in franchise history via a power play in an eventual 6–5 shootout loss to the Minnesota Whitecaps with assists credited to Emma Woods and Shiann Darkangelo. Breanne Wilson-Bennett scored twice in the game, recording the first multi-goal game by a player for the team. Other Six players to score versus Minnesota included Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Taylor Woods.[22] The Six earned their first win on January 26, 2021, with a 2–1 victory over the Boston Pride. The Six came back from a 1–0 deficit with a pair of third period goals by Brooke Boquist and Mikyla Grant-Mentis, whose goal stood as the game-winner. Boquist was named the First Star of the game, while Elaine Chuli recorded 24 saves in the win.[23]

The Six went on to win their three remaining games to clinch the top seed for the Isobel Cup playoffs. On February 3, 2021, the season was suspended due to positive cases of COVID-19 within the bubble.[24] On March 8, 2021, the league announced that the Isobel Cup playoffs would be held March 26–27 at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, Massachusetts.[25] The Six lost their semifinal game to the fourth-seed and eventual champion Boston Pride 6–2.

Following their inaugural season, assistant coach Lisa Haley, who had also coached in Toronto as head coach for the Ryerson Rams women's ice hockey program, was appointed as the league's senior vice president of hockey operations.[26][27] Six forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis became the most decorated player in a single NWHL season, Grant-Mentis earned a record four accolades.[28] She won the NWHL's Most Valuable Player award, the first Black player to win the league's MVP,[29] tied as the leading scorer in the league, and captured the league's Newcomer of the Year award.

Transition in second season

[edit]

In May 2021, the owners of the Six also bought the Metropolitan Riveters as part of the league's push to have all teams be independently owned.[30] In September 2021, the league rebranded as the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) to promote inclusivity.[31][32]

On June 7, 2021, Mark Joslin, previously head coach of the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Toronto Patriots,[33] was hired to replace Digit Murphy as head coach, becoming the first black head coach in NWHL history. Murphy retained her position as team president. The Six added Hockey Hall of Fame member Angela James to their coaching staff on June 24.[34] At the end of June, Krysti Clarke, previously the manager of operations with York United FC of Canadian Premier League soccer, replaced Mandy Cronin as general manager.[35] With five picks among the top ten in the 2021 NWHL Draft, three of the picks were in the first round. Picking third overall, the Six selected Maegan Beres from Boston College, followed by Tatum Skaggs fourth overall, and York Lions skater Taylor Davison with the fifth pick, marking the second straight season that the Six have drafted a player from a U Sports women's ice hockey program. In addition, Davison made U Sports history, becoming the highest drafted player from the league.[36]

Towards the end of the 2021–22 season, the team was sold to a new ownership group including Anthony Stewart, Angela James, Bernice Carnegie, and Ted Nolan.[37][38]

Third season

[edit]

On May 31, 2022, co-owner Angela James was promoted from assistant coach to general manager of the Six.[39] Additionally, Digit Murphy would be leaving her post as the Six's team president and director of player personnel to join the Metropolitan Riveters as their new team president, but would "maintain involvement, advising on the logistics of the team" while "transitioning from her role as President."[39][40] On June 14, 2022, the Six announced the hiring of Geraldine Heaney as their third head coach in franchise history.[41] On September 27, 2022, Sportsnet reported that Sami Jo Small joined the leadership as team president.[42]

On March 26, 2023, the team won the Isobel Cup Championship, defeating the Minnesota Whitecaps 4–3 in overtime at the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.[43]

Ceasing operations

[edit]

After the season, it was announced that the PHF had been purchased as part of a bid to create a new, unified professional women's league.[44] This resulted in the folding of the PHF and its teams.[45] The new league—the Professional Women's Hockey League—debuted in 2024 with the new Toronto franchise hosting the inaugural game on New Year's Day.[46] 10 former Six players were selected in the 2023 PWHL draft, the most of any former PHF team.[45]

Season-by-season records

[edit]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts[a] GF GA Playoffs
2020–21 6 4 1 0 1 9 21 14 Lost semifinal game to Boston Pride
2021–22 20 16 3 1 0 46 66 45 Lost semifinal game to Boston Pride
2022–23 24 17 5 2 0 51 87 62 Won Isobel Cup Championship over Minnesota Whitecaps
Totals 50 37 9 3 1 106 174 121
  1. ^ Starting with the 2021–22 season, 3 points are awarded for a regulation win, 2 points are awarded for an overtime/shootout win, 1 point is awarded for an overtime/shootout loss, 0 points are awarded for a regulation loss[47]

Team

[edit]

2022–23 roster

[edit]
As of January 26, 2023[48][49]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
19 Canada Brooke Boquist F L 29 2020 Thunder Bay, Ontario
86 Canada Michela Cava F R 31 2022 Thunder Bay, Ontario
29 Canada Elaine Chuli G L 29 2020 Waterford, Ontario
27 United States Shiann Darkangelo (C) F L 32 2020 Royal Oak, Michigan
20 Canada Taylor Davison D L 28 2021 Oakville, Ontario
44 Canada Lindsay Eastwood D L 29 2020 Kanata, Ontario
3 Canada Nadine Edney F L 29 2022 Mississauga, Ontario
14 Canada Courtney Gardiner F R 27 2022 Goderich, Ontario
25 Canada Emma Greco D L 30 2022 Burlington, Ontario
41 Canada Brittany Howard F R 30 2022 St. Thomas, Ontario
70 Canada Carly Jackson G L 28 2022 Amherst, Nova Scotia
96 Czech Republic Dominika Lásková D R 29 2022 Prague, Czechia
8 Canada Leah Lum F L 29 2022 Richmond, British Columbia
9 Canada Kati Tabin D L 28 2022 Winnipeg, Manitoba
10 Canada Lexi Templeman F R 26 2022 Staffa, Ontario
71 Canada Saroya Tinker D R 28 2021 Oshawa, Ontario
21 Czech Republic Tereza Vanišová F L 30 2022 Strakonice, Czechia
4 Canada Daryl Watts F L 26 2023 Toronto, Ontario
11 Canada Breanne Wilson-Bennett (A) F L 29 2020 Markham, Ontario
48 Canada Alexis Woloschuk D L 31 2022 Winnipeg, Manitoba
67 Canada Emma Woods (A) F R 27 2020 Burford, Ontario
2 Canada Taylor Woods (A) D R 31 2020 Morden, Manitoba

Coaching staff and team personnel

  • Head coach: Geraldine Heaney
  • Assistant coach: Kevin Greco
  • Assistant coach: Jessica Turi
  • Goaltending coach: Nick Grainger
  • Head athletic therapist: Cam Borody
  • Equipment manager: Kris Franzoi

Front office

Captains

[edit]

Head coaches

[edit]

General managers

[edit]

Franchise milestones and statistics leaders

[edit]
Milestone Player Notes
First penalty Emma Greco January 23, 2021
First goal Lindsay Eastwood
Assisted by Shiann Darkangelo and Emma Woods		 January 24, 2021
First multi-goal game Breanne Wilson-Bennett January 26, 2021
First win Elaine Chuli January 26, 2021
First playoff goal Breanne Wilson-Bennett March 26, 2021

Awards and honors

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Toronto Six

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Toronto Six was a professional women's ice hockey team based in , , , that competed in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL)—later rebranded as the (PHF)—from 2020 until the league's dissolution in 2023. The team played its home games at Canlan Ice Sports – York, a facility with a capacity of approximately 1,200 spectators. Founded as an expansion franchise, the Toronto Six represented a significant step in professionalizing women's hockey in , drawing on the city's nickname "The 6" for its branding, which featured red, gold, and black colors along with a logo incorporating a golden . Under the ownership of John and Johanna Boynton, the team aimed to unify and elevate women's professional hockey by providing competitive opportunities and increasing player salaries, with the PHF announcing a raise of its to $1.5 million for the 2023–24 season. The Six's inaugural 2020–21 season was impacted by the , with games held in a bubble format in , but the team reached the semifinals. In their third season, they achieved their greatest success by defeating the in overtime to win the on March 26, 2023, marking the franchise's—and the league's final—championship before its sale to the Group and BJK Enterprises later that year. The dissolution of the PHF in June 2023 voided all player contracts and led to the formation of the (PWHL), which launched in January 2024 with a -based team now known as the Toronto Sceptres; many former Six players, including stars like Daryl Watts—who had signed a record $150,000-per-season contract—transitioned to the PWHL, continuing the legacy of professional women's hockey in the city. A ring ceremony held on February 22, 2024, honored the team's contributions and paid tribute to predecessor leagues such as the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) and earlier iterations of the NWHL.

History

Formation and inaugural season (2020–21)

The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) announced on April 22, 2020, the addition of the Toronto Six as its sixth franchise and the league's first team based in , marking a significant expansion following the collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League earlier that year. The franchise was led by an ownership group headed by Johanna Neilson Boynton, a former women's hockey captain and co-founder of Boynton Brennan Capital. On May 19, 2020, the team unveiled its name, inspired by Toronto's nickname "The Six," along with a featuring a gold embedded in a red and black crest. Shortly before, on May 11, 2020, the Six appointed Mandy Cronin, a co-founder of the CWHL and former professional goaltender, as its inaugural general manager. The team began assembling its roster in August 2020, signing its first five players—known as the "Founding Five"—on August 25: goaltender Elaine Chuli, forward Shiann Darkangelo, forward Kristen Barbara, forward Emma Greco, and defender Taylor Woods. These signings highlighted the team's emphasis on a mix of Canadian talent and experienced professionals to establish a competitive foundation. On October 20, 2020, the Six named Digit Murphy, a veteran coach with prior head coaching experience at and in the CWHL, as its first head coach; Murphy also served as team president. The 2020–21 season was profoundly disrupted by the , prompting the NWHL to condense the schedule to six games per team and conduct all play in a centralized bubble at in , from late January to early February 2021. This setup addressed stringent Canadian travel restrictions and public health measures that prevented cross-border competition and home games in . The Toronto Six performed strongly, posting a 4–1–1 record and outscoring opponents 21–14 to clinch the top seed in the league standings. However, on February 3, 2021, the season was suspended indefinitely after multiple players tested positive for , leading to the cancellation of the playoffs and marking an abrupt end to the team's inaugural campaign.

Expansion and challenges (2021–22)

Following the COVID-19-constrained bubble season of 2020–21, which had tested team morale, the Six returned to for their home games in 2021–22 at York University's Canlan Ice Sports – York Lions Arena. This marked the first (PHF) games played on Canadian soil, allowing the team to establish a local presence after playing all prior contests . The move aimed to foster community ties and capitalize on the enthusiasm of Canadian fans for professional women's hockey. The team expanded its roster to build depth, re-signing forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis, the league's previous MVP and leading scorer who had earned four awards in the inaugural season. Key acquisitions included goaltender Tera Hofman from the , defender Saroya Tinker, and forward Michela Cava, enhancing offensive and defensive capabilities. Supporting this growth, the PHF doubled the to $300,000 per team, enabling greater investment in talent. Marketing initiatives, such as promotional ticket packages and campaigns highlighting local players, were launched to boost attendance at the 1,200-seat arena and cultivate a dedicated fanbase. On the ice, the Six posted a strong 16–4–0–0 regular-season record over 20 games, finishing second in the standings with an undefeated home mark and qualifying for the via a first-round bye. They advanced to the semifinals but fell 5–1 to the in a single-game matchup. Off the ice, operational hurdles persisted due to U.S.-Canada border restrictions, which delayed player arrivals for away games amid ongoing protocols and testing requirements. Fan engagement efforts, including community events and youth clinics, helped draw crowds, while broader discussions on financial sustainability highlighted league-wide labor concerns, including calls for higher player compensation and better working conditions to ensure long-term viability.

Championship and dissolution (2022–23)

The Toronto Six continued their operations at Canlan Ice Sports – York, known as York Lions Arena, for the 2022–23 season, maintaining roster stability with key returnees such as goaltender Elaine Chuli, who had anchored the team since its inaugural year. The squad featured a blend of experienced players and strategic additions, including defender Dominika Lásková, contributing to a cohesive unit under head coach Geraldine Heaney. In the regular season, the Six posted a strong 17–5–1–1 record over 24 games, securing second place in the (PHF) standings with 51 points and clinching home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. They advanced by defeating the Connecticut Whale 2–1 in the best-of-three semifinals, then defeated the 4–3 in overtime in the final on March 26, 2023, to claim the Isobel Cup—the franchise's first championship and the first for any Canadian team in PHF history. The PHF's sale to the Group and Enterprises, announced on June 29, 2023, led to the immediate dissolution of and all its teams, including the Toronto Six, to pave the way for the new (PWHL) launching in 2024. This restructuring voided existing player contracts, dispersing the Six's roster to the PWHL draft without guaranteed placements, though many, like forward Daryl Watts, transitioned successfully. Toronto Six president expressed pride in the championship achievement, noting it as a fitting legacy amid the bittersweet closure. In February 2024, former players and staff gathered for a ring ceremony to commemorate the win, displaying the trophy before its enshrinement in the with all names engraved—a poignant farewell blending celebration of their accomplishments with reflection on the PHF's end. The event underscored the emotional transition, with players like Emma Woods describing it as a "bittersweet" reunion that honored the past while embracing future opportunities in the PWHL.

Seasons and performance

Regular season records

The Toronto Six competed in three regular seasons, spanning the final year of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) and the first two years of the rebranded (PHF). Their performance showed steady progression, particularly in offensive output and overall consistency, amid a league transition that included a shortened inaugural schedule due to the and subsequent increases from $300,000 per team in 2020–21 to $1.5 million by 2022–23, enhancing roster depth and competitiveness.
SeasonGPRecord (W–L–OTL–T)PtsGF–GAWin %Standing
2020–2164–1–1–0921–14.7501st
2021–222016–4–0–04666–45.8002nd
2022–232417–5–2–05187–62.7502nd
The team's scoring remained consistent across seasons, averaging 3.5 goals per game in the abbreviated 2020–21 campaign, 3.3 in 2021–22, and 3.625 in 2022–23, reflecting sustained offensive cohesion and the benefits of expanded resources under the PHF model. Defensively, they maintained solidity, allowing fewer than 3 goals per game on average each year, with a league-leading goals-against average of 2.58 in their championship 2022–23 season. The inaugural season's bubble format in Lake Placid, New York, limited exposure but allowed the expansion franchise to quickly establish itself as a top contender.

Playoff results

The Toronto Six made their postseason debut in the 2020–21 season, which was conducted in a bubble format at in . As the top seed with a 4–1–1 regular season record, they advanced directly to the semifinals but fell 2–6 to the on March 26, 2021. Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Mackenzie MacNeil scored for Toronto, while Kristen Campbell allowed six goals on 35 shots in the loss. The Pride went on to win the championship, marking the Six's only playoff appearance in their inaugural year. In the 2021–22 season, the Six earned the No. 2 seed with a strong 13–4–0 regular season mark and received a bye to the semifinals. However, they were defeated 1–5 by the on March 27, 2022, at the ' Hertz Arena in . Breanne Wilson-Bennett tallied Toronto's lone goal, while Elaine Chuli made 23 saves on 28 shots in net. The Pride's offensive outburst included three first-period goals, propelling them to their third consecutive final appearance. This single-game elimination highlighted the Six's struggles with early deficits and power-play efficiency against the defending champions. The 2022–23 season marked the Six's deepest playoff run, culminating in their first and only championship before the team's dissolution. As the No. 2 seed, they faced the No. 3 Connecticut Whale in a best-of-three semifinal series at Mattamy Athletic Centre in . In Game 1 on March 17, the Whale won 5–3, with Taylor Girard scoring twice, including the game-winner; for Toronto, Shiann Darkangelo, Leah Lum, and Emma Woods replied, while Chuli stopped 27 of 32 shots. The Six evened the series in Game 2 on March 18 with a 3–2 victory, as Woods netted the decisive goal at 2:31 of OT, supported by goals from Michela Cava and Kali Flanagan; Chuli made 25 saves. Game 3 on March 20 ended in a 3–0 win for Toronto, with Kati Tabin (), Cava, and Lum scoring, and Chuli earning the clean sheet with 31 saves on 31 shots to advance the series 2–1. In the Isobel Cup final on March 26, 2023, at in , the Six defeated the 4–3 in overtime, securing the franchise's sole title in a single-game format. Trailing 3–2 entering the third period after Minnesota goals from Jonna Albers (twice) and Brooke Madsen, Toronto mounted a comeback: Cava tied it at 3–3 with 1:15 remaining, assisted by a turnover. Tereza Vaníšová then scored the winner at 4:19 of OT on a breakaway, with earlier goals from Vaníšová and Woods. Chuli finished with 27 saves on 30 shots, showcasing clutch goaltending in the high-stakes victory. This championship run featured resilient comebacks and Chuli's standout performances, including her potential in the semifinal clincher. Across three playoff appearances, the Toronto Six compiled a 3–2 record in five games, with notable highlights including multiple triumphs and Chuli's , underscoring their growth into contenders before the league's restructuring.

Team operations

Roster and players

The Toronto Six built their rosters primarily through free agency signings, invites, and initial player drafts in the league's early years, without a traditional annual draft system after 2021. Over their three seasons in the (PHF), the team utilized approximately 45 unique players, reflecting a mix of Canadian talent and international recruits to form competitive lineups. The final 2022–23 roster featured a balanced group of 23 players, emphasizing speed and defensive depth, with Shiann Darkangelo serving as .

2022–23 Roster

Forwards

No.PlayerNationalityHeightWeightBirthdate
41CAN5'7"150 lbs1996-11-19
27Shiann Darkangelo (C)USA5'6"145 lbs1993-11-28
67Emma WoodsCAN5'6"140 lbs1996-03-27
86Michela CavaCAN5'5"140 lbs1994-03-31
8Leah LumCAN5'4"130 lbs1996-03-07
21Tereza VanišováCZE5'6"145 lbs1996-05-15
10Lexi TemplemanCAN5'5"135 lbs2000-03-23
11Breanne Wilson-BennettCAN5'6"145 lbs1996-05-22
4Daryl WattsCAN5'6"140 lbs1999-05-15
19Brooke BoquistCAN5'5"135 lbs1996-07-12
14Courtney GardinerCAN5'6"145 lbs1998-03-19
3Nadine EdneyCAN5'5"135 lbs1997-03-22

Defense

No.PlayerNationalityHeightWeightBirthdate
9Kati TabinCAN5'7"150 lbs1997-10-11
96Dominika LaškováCZE5'8"155 lbs1997-07-12
44Lindsay EastwoodCAN5'7"150 lbs1997-10-01
25Emma GrecoCAN5'6"145 lbs1995-07-19
20Taylor DavisonCAN5'8"160 lbs1998-01-07
71Saroya TinkerCAN5'7"150 lbs1998-03-15
2Taylor WoodsCAN5'7"150 lbs1995-04-15
48Alexis WoloschukCAN5'8"155 lbs1994-03-22

Goaltenders

No.PlayerNationalityHeightWeightBirthdate
70Carly JacksonCAN5'7"145 lbs1997-07-25
29Elaine ChuliCAN5'6"140 lbs1993-11-15
Across their tenure, the Six highlighted several standout players who contributed to their on-ice success. Shiann Darkangelo, the team's captain in 2022–23, led the franchise in career points with 51 over 56 games, showcasing her versatility as a forward with strong playmaking abilities. Goaltender Elaine Chuli anchored the net during the championship run, posting a 12-5-2 record with a .917 save percentage in the regular season and providing stability in high-stakes playoff games. Forward Tereza Vanišová emerged as a key offensive threat, scoring the overtime winner in the 2023 Isobel Cup final and earning recognition as the most valuable player of that game after tallying two goals and an assist. The team also featured notable international representation, drawing from countries beyond and the . Czech players like Vanišová and Dominika Lašková added European flair and skill to the forward and defensive lines, while earlier seasons included Réka Dabasi, the first Hungarian player selected in the 2021 PHF international draft, who brought unique speed and determination to the roster.

Coaching and management staff

The Toronto Six's front office was led by a series of s who oversaw roster construction, player contracts, and operational decisions during the team's three seasons in the NWHL and subsequent PHF. Mandy Cronin, a former CWHL and co-founder, served as the inaugural starting in May 2020, focusing on building the expansion franchise's initial lineup from free agents and international talent. Krysti Clarke, with a background in soccer administration, took over as in early 2022, emphasizing diversity in hiring and before transitioning out later that year. , a Hockey Hall of Famer and former assistant coach for the team, was appointed in May 2022, where she handled player acquisitions, management, and strategic partnerships that contributed to the Six's 2023 victory. Head coaching responsibilities evolved with the franchise, prioritizing structured systems and player development amid the league's bubble format and expansion challenges. Digit Murphy, who also served as team president, acted as the first from 2020 to 2021, implementing a high-energy, fast-paced style that guided the Six to a 4-1-1 record in the inaugural season's Lake Placid bubble, emphasizing offensive transitions and team cohesion. Mark Joslin succeeded her in June 2021, bringing experience from four seasons coaching the Varsity Blues; his defensive-oriented philosophy, rooted in positional play and special teams, helped the team achieve a playoff berth in the 2021-22 season despite a shortened schedule. Geraldine Heaney, an Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer known for her defensive prowess, was hired as in June 2022, fostering a balanced approach that integrated veteran leadership with young talent, culminating in the Six's championship win in March 2023 before the PHF's dissolution. Leadership on the ice was anchored by Shiann Darkangelo, who served as the team's sole captain from its 2020 inception through the 2022-23 championship season, providing vocal guidance and exemplifying resilience during roster turnover and league transitions. Assistant captains supported this structure, with Emma Woods and Emma Greco named alternates in the inaugural 2020-21 season to promote accountability and on-ice communication; Woods continued in the role through 2022-23, contributing to team morale amid the PHF's professionalization efforts. In later seasons, Taylor Woods and Breanne Wilson-Bennett joined as assistants, helping maintain a collaborative leadership group focused on fostering inclusivity and performance under pressure. Beyond the front office and bench, the Six employed a support staff including trainers, scouts, and operations personnel to handle player health, talent evaluation, and logistics. Digit Murphy's dual role as president until 2021 oversaw overall operations, including facility negotiations and marketing initiatives that boosted attendance. Following the PHF's merger into the PWHL in 2023, several staff members transitioned to new roles in women's hockey; others like assistant coaches Jessica Turi and Mark Joslin pursued opportunities in collegiate and professional programs, contributing to the PWHL Toronto Sceptres' foundational setup.

Facilities and operations

The Toronto Six conducted their inaugural 2020–21 season within a league-wide bubble at the in , where all games were played without spectators due to protocols. For the subsequent 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, the team established its home at Canlan Ice Sports – York, an Olympic-sized rink situated on the campus in , , with a of 1,200. This venue served as the primary hub for home games, accommodating the team's professional operations in a multi-rink complex designed for high-level hockey. Training activities centered at Canlan Ice Sports – York, which provided dedicated locker rooms and ice time tailored to the team's needs, including structured practice schedules to optimize player development and game preparation. The facility's location on the campus granted access to additional university resources, such as fitness centers and support services, enhancing equipment logistics and off-ice conditioning for players. Equipment management involved on-site storage and maintenance, ensuring seamless transitions between practices and games within the shared complex. As the only Canadian team in the U.S.-centric , the Toronto Six navigated operational challenges related to cross-border travel for away contests, including border logistics and scheduling adjustments. efforts focused on social media engagement via platforms like to build fan interaction, alongside partnerships with Toronto-area sports organizations, such as apparel sponsor Athleta and an affiliation with the ECHL's Beast for collaborative events. Attendance at home games averaged around 600 spectators in the 2022–23 season, reflecting steady community support in a venue often filled to about half capacity. Financial operations adhered to the PHF's $750,000 for the 2022–23 season, with player compensation typically ranging from a league minimum of $13,500 to averages near $34,000 per player on a 22- to 25-player roster. The ownership group, acquired in 2022 and led by Hockey Hall of Famer and former NHL player Anthony Stewart, prioritized community initiatives centered on diversity, inclusion, and growing women's hockey participation among underrepresented groups in .

Achievements and records

Team milestones

The Toronto Six played their inaugural game on January 23, 2021, falling 0–3 to the in , during the NWHL's bubble season. The franchise recorded its first playoff victory on March 18, 2023, defeating the Connecticut Whale 3–2 in overtime during Game 2 of the semifinals at Mattamy Athletic Centre in . The team achieved its greatest milestone on March 26, 2023, capturing the with a 4–3 overtime victory over the in the championship final at in , marking the first title for a Canadian-based professional women's hockey team. All-time statistical leaders for the Toronto Six, across their three seasons in the NWHL/PHF, include Shiann Darkangelo with 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) in 50 regular-season games, the highest in franchise history for scoring categories. Elaine Chuli holds the team records for wins (32) and shutouts (5) in 42 regular-season appearances. Team records highlight the 2022–23 season as the franchise's strongest, with a 17–5–2 mark yielding the best winning percentage at .708 (17 wins in 24 games). That year also featured the longest win streak of six games, spanning December 11, 2022, to January 21, 2023.

Individual honors and awards

The Toronto Six's victory in the 2023 playoffs featured standout individual contributions, with forward Michela Cava earning honors for recording six points (three goals, three assists) across four games. Elaine Chuli also played a pivotal role, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.67 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in the postseason. The championship roster consisted of the following players:
PositionPlayer NameHometown/Notes
FBrittany HowardSt. Thomas, ON
FShiann DarkangeloBrighton, MI
FEmma WoodsBurford, ON
FMichela CavaThunder Bay, ON
FLeah LumRichmond, BC
FTereza Vanišová
FLexi TemplemanStaffa, ON
FBreanne Wilson-BennettMarkham, ON
FDaryl Watts
FBrooke BoquistThunder Bay, ON
FCourtney GardinerGoderich, ON
FNadine EdneyMississauga, ON
DKati Tabin
DDominika LáskováPrague, Czech Republic
DLindsay EastwoodKanata, ON
DEmma GrecoBurlington, ON
DTaylor DavisonOakville, ON
DSaroya Tinker
DTaylor Woods
DAlexis Woloschuk
GCarly JacksonAmherst, NS
GElaine ChuliWaterford, ON
During the 2022–23 regular season, Toronto Six players received multiple league nominations, including Elaine Chuli as a finalist for of the Year, alongside forwards and Breanne Wilson-Bennett as finalists for league honors voted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Eight players from the team were selected for the 2023 PHF All-Star Showcase, headlined by team-leading scorer (16 goals, 10 assists for 26 points) and forward Shiann Darkangelo, who served as a team captain for the event. Following the PHF's dissolution in 2023, numerous Toronto Six alumni transitioned to the (PWHL) via the inaugural draft, with at least 10 former players selected across various teams—the highest number from any disbanded PHF franchise. Notable picks included forward Daryl Watts (sixth round, ), defenseman Dominika Lásková (fourth round, ), and forward Tereza Vanišová (seventh round, ), all key contributors to the 2023 championship squad.

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