Ice hockey: China, Canada, U.S. teams fold as women's league ends

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China, Canada and the United States will lose top-level franchises after the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) announced on Sunday it will discontinue operations from May 1, 2019.

The league completed its 12th campaign earlier this month with the Calgary Inferno beating the Montreal Canadiennes in the final for a second crown in four campaigns.

The league also fielded the Toronto Furies and Markham Thunder in Canada, the Worcester Blades in suburban Boston and China's Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays.

The league board of directors announced it had voted to fold the competition in a statement released on social media.

"Unfortunately, while the on-ice hockey is exceptional, the business model has proven to be economically unsustainable," the statement said.

The league partnered with National Hockey League (NHL) teams in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary and drew record television viewership for this year's finals.

"We thank our fans for cheering on their favorite player and favorite teams, our sponsors for helping fund the growth of women's hockey," the statement said.

"We would like to acknowledge the management and players of Team KRS for their commitment to the CWHL and growth of women's hockey in China."

Rebecca Johnston and her Calgary Inferno teammates won't be able to defend their CWHL crown after officials announced the league would fold. /VCG Photo

Last week, Jakob Kolliker, the new coach of China's national women's team, said he hoped the nation would form its own league so his players didn't have to travel internationally.

Messages left with CWHL officials, including interim Commissioner Jayna Hefford, were not returned.

Numerous players went to Twitter in posting notes expressing their disappointment.

"I'm heartbroken at the news of the CWHL folding," Calgary Inferno forward Brianne Jenner said. "Hard to process this after our most successful season to date. We will rebound from this."

Added Canadian national team goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, "Did not expect news like this morning. Hopefully, the different stakeholders will work together to find a solution and grow the game."

The CWHL's demise leaves the U.S.-based, five-team National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) as the only women's professional league in North America. And the decision re-opens questions as to whether the NHL should step in and create one league with teams on both sides of the border.

(Top image via VCG: China's Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays compete with Canada's Calgary Inferno during the 2018-19 CWHL regular season match, February 20, 2019.)

(With inputs from AFP, AP)