The 2011–12 CWHL season was the fifth in league history. Regular season play begun on October 22, 2011, as the defending champion Montreal Stars host the Brampton Thunder. The league expanded from five teams to six as Team Alberta (CWHL) joined the league for competitive play. The 2012 Clarkson Cup in Niagara Falls was also contested between the Stars and Thunder, with Montreal winning its second consecutive title.
News and notes
April 19: The league announced on April 19, 2011, that it would merge with the Western Women's Hockey League for the 2011-12 season. The merger will feature one team based in Edmonton and Calgary and is a combination of the former WWHL franchises the Edmonton Chimos and Strathmore Rockies. The team will play their games in various locations around Alberta. Strathmore Rockies founder Samantha Holmes-Domagala, will join the sponsorship division of the CWHL and look after the requirements of the expansion team.
July 21, 2011: Philanthropist Joan Snyder donated $2 million to Winsport Canada. The goal is to ensure priority rink access to female hockey players at all levels, and help expand the Canadian Women's Hockey League with the creation of Team Alberta. Part of the donation will cover the new addition to the Athletic and Ice Complex at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. This will serve as the future home to Hockey Canada. In addition, there shall be four hockey rinks, one of which will be aptly called the Joan Snyder Rink. Team Alberta will benefit with the allocation of free practice time, a dressing room exclusive to the club.
The following are the first ten overall picks in the CWHL Draft. For further detail, please see 2011 CWHL Draft
On November 2, 2011, Scanzano was on loan from the Toronto Furies, as she appeared in one game for the Brampton Thunder. The game was an exhibition contest versus her alma mater, the Mercyhurst Lakers. In the second period of said contest, Scanzano scored the game-winning goal as the Thunder defeated the Lakers by a 3-1 tally.
News and notes
October 13, 2011: The CWHL will participate in two charity hockey games for cancer research at Windsor Arena. The event is called 'Stick It To Cancer' and the Montreal Stars will compete versus the Toronto Furies in two games on Nov. 26 and 27. The campaign is being organized in partnership by the CWHL, along with Breast Ride Ever, a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from the games will benefit local cancer programs and the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.
On November 18, 2011, several Burlington Barracudas players (including Christina Kessler, Shannon Moulson, Ashley Stephenson, Jana Harrigan, Amanda Shaw, Annina Rajahuhta, Samantha Shirley, Amanda Parkins, and Lindsay Vine) competed in the first ever Hockey Helps The Homeless Women’s Tournament. Said tournament was held at the Magna Centre in Newmarket, Ontario.
November 19, at Montreal, the second annual "Game on to beat breast cancer" benefit. The target to surpass last year's donation results was far exceeded. A new attendance record was also set at the game, with over 1,100 fans in the stands. December 8, Montréal Stars offer a cheque for close to $15 000 to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
Barracudas players Christina Kessler and Shannon Moulson were part of an event at Power Play Sports in Niagara Falls, Ontario on December 20, 2011 to promote the 2012 Clarkson Cup (to be held in Niagara Falls). After the event, they met players from the NFGHA (Niagara Falls Girls Hockey League) for photographs and autographs.
Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points.
Team Alberta CWHL plays only half of the number of regular matches. This because of the geographical estrangement. Points are consequently adjusted with another teams.
Reference
Reference
Awards and honours
The 2012 CWHL Awards Banquet was held on Mar. 21, 2012 in Niagara Falls, ON (during the Clarkson Cup weekend). That night, the league formally recognized the Angela James Bowl winner, the Most Valuable Player, the Goaltender of the Year, the Rookie of the Year, and the Coach of the Year.
Most Valuable Player: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
Angela James Bowl: Top Scorer Meghan Agosta, Montréal
Outstanding Rookie: Courtney Birchard, Brampton
Coach of the Year: Lauren McAuliffe, Boston
Top Forward: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
Top Defender: Catherine Ward, Montréal
Top Goaltender: Molly Schaus, Boston
First Team All-Stars
Goaltender: Molly Schaus, Boston
Defender: Catherine Ward, Montréal
Defender: Molly Engstrom, Brampton
Forward: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
Forward: Caroline Ouellette, Montréal
Forward: Kelli Stack, Boston
Second Team All-Stars
Goaltender: Jenny Lavigne, Montréal
Defender: Gigi Marvin, Boston
Defender: Tessa Bonhomme, Toronto
Forward: Gillian Apps, Brampton
Forward: Jayna Hefford, Brampton
Forward: Vanessa Davidson, Montréal
Goaltender: Molly Schaus, Boston
Defender: Catherine Ward, Montréal
Defender: Courtney Birchard, Brampton
Forward: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
Forward: Kelli Stack, Boston
Forward: Erika Lawler, Boston
October: Kelli Stack, Boston
November: Caroline Ouellette, Montréal
December: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
January: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
February: Meghan Agosta, Montréal
March: Gillian Apps, Brampton
The postseason was held at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. All teams played in a round robin to determine the contestants in the Clarkson Cup finals.
