Opening Weekend Reflections by Tyler Tumminia
November 10, 2021 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
To our PHF family,
Saturday was beautiful.
The sun was shining and for the first time in a long time, we had hockey.
The new era of the Premier Hockey Federation has finally arrived, and I'm so excited!
On my way to Buffalo to be part of opening weekend with the Beauts and Toronto Six, I had a lot of time to reflect on how far we've come since my last trip to one of our games.
32 weeks ago it was to Boston where we made history, raising the Isobel Cup for the first time on network television in the United States. Celebrating a championship we were deprived of the year before. Showcasing our talent, skill, and resiliency to complete a season like no other.
And we're back, stronger than ever. Ready to make more history and memories.
I'm grateful for our committed owners and the outstanding leadership we have across all six of our organizations. Their relentless pursuit of our mission to create opportunities for our athletes with enhanced benefits, the professional environments the players deserve, and a salary cap that has never been higher positions us to thrive now and into the future. I also thank our corporate partners who believe in the PHF and provide the support that truly makes a difference.
Turning on my devices and seeing for the first time our logos and a full broadcast schedule on ESPN+ was a moment of joy. As the exclusive home of the PHF in the United States, we have a dedicated platform to help showcase our brand and our athletes to larger audiences than ever before. Our reach extends even further internationally with ESPN affiliates including TSN in Canada, and the third year of our partnership with Twitch to continue growing the game and inspiring the next generation.
But most importantly, my weekend connected me with the people who make our game so special.
I can't stop smiling when I think about our phenomenal athletes. The PHF is defined by their talent and skill, not simply their gender, and it's their hard work and passion for this game and for this league that makes them so fun to watch. If the competitiveness of the first five games is any indication, we're going to have a fierce pursuit of this year's title.
And to our amazing fans, we've missed seeing you and are thrilled to welcome you back into our arenas. You are part of the fabric that makes the PHF unique. Walking into a packed crowd at Northtown Center and experiencing an electric, family-friendly atmosphere is something I'll never forget.
Connecting with parents and hearing them speak about how proud they are of their daughters on the ice, seeing little girls hold up signs to cheer on new role models, are just some of the things that made it all so real and put so much of what we do into perspective.
I'm proud of the PHF and highly encouraged by the momentum we've built over six seasons and how well-positioned we are for growth.
I look forward to watching more glorious goals, high-spirited celebrations, and spectacular saves like I enjoyed on Saturday. I also hope to meet more of our players, staff, families, partners, media, and fans in person as the 2021-22 season progresses.
And next time I'm in Buffalo, if the offer still stands, maybe I'll drive the Zamboni!
See you at the rink,
Tyler Tumminia
Commissioner, Premier Hockey Federation
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from November 10, 2021
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
