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PHF Toronto Six

Hockey Hall Of Famer Angela James Named General Manager Of The Toronto Six

May 31, 2022 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Toronto Six News Release


TORONTO -- Amid a flurry of front office changes, the Toronto Six have appointed Angela James the third General Manager in franchise history. James fills the position two months after joining new team ownership alongside Anthony Stewart, Bernice Carnegie, and Ted Nolan.

"Given last year's success, and we did have great success, I really enjoyed being involved and being a part of the T6, ‚¬Â said the team's new General Manager. "Halfway through, I was invited to be a part of the new ownership, and I really wanted to stay involved, but if it wasn't through coaching, then why not General Manager. The president [Digit Murphy] came to me and asked if I'd consider that, and for me, it was really a no-brainer.

I've had 35 years of sports administration experience, so this was an easy fit for me. Having the new pay scale this year and being able to pay professional women's hockey players a great salary to play hockey, I've put myself in a seat where it's just unbelievable. I'm really happy about being a part of this, building the T6 team, bringing in the best players that we can bring in, while still being successful. ‚¬Â

James served as the team's Assistant Coach alongside Head Coach Mark Joslin and with General Manager Krysti Clarke during the league's seventh season. In doing so, the staff made PHF history as the first members of the Black community to serve in their respective roles.

Succeeding Clarke as the third GM in Toronto Six history, James will manage player activities, team operations and logistics, as well as game day event management. This includes selling tickets, which she will take charge of and report to the team's new ownership group.

Leading a storied tenure in the sport, James is a pioneer and trailblazer, being the first and only Black woman to captain Canada's National Women's team. Quickly making a name for herself, James is widely considered the first superstar in women's hockey.

On the national stage, she was a four-time gold medal winner at the IIHF Women's World Championship, including the very first event in 1990 where she set a tournament record for goals scored with 11. In addition to her 50 games for Team Canada, James played in the Central Ontario Women's Hockey League over an 18-year period, where she was named MVP six times and led the COWHL in scoring eight times. She then played two seasons in the newly formed National Women's Hockey League and earned MVP honours in her first year, followed by an NWHL championship her second season with the Beatrice Aeros before retiring from competitive hockey.

Following her illustrious career, James became the first Canadian woman to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2010. She's also been inducted to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame, and in February of last year, was awarded the Order of Hockey in Canada.

Remaining heavily involved soon after hanging up the skates, James swiftly transitioned behind the bench, coaching at various levels, with highlights including a gold medal as assistant with Team Ontario at the 1999 Canada Winter Games and leading them to gold at the 2001 U18 National Championship.

Destined from the start to become a Canadian women's hockey icon, James was a star multi-sport student athlete at Seneca College, excelling in women's fastball in addition to hockey. She was named women's hockey MVP across the OCAA all three years she played and was a member of two championship-winning teams. Following her graduation in 1985, James began a 34-year career working in the Department of Athletics and Recreation, most recently fulfilling the position of Senior Sport Coordinator.

Now, as she looks to continue breaking boundaries beyond the ice, Angela is steadfast in her mission to grow the Toronto Six product, while pushing the women's game forward.

"I'm really excited about the fact that I'm a part of a new beginning for professional women's hockey players getting paid a really good contract, ‚¬Â James explained. "Not only are the PHF owners taking a professional approach to our league, the actual teams are taking a professional approach, as well as the players in terms of business. ‚¬Â

As the new ownership takes place in Toronto, Digit Murphy will be transitioning from her role as President. During this period, she'll maintain involvement, advising on the logistics of the team.

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