In collaboration with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and Royale, Canadian artist Briony Douglas unveiled an art piece entitled “The Inaugural Six” at Toronto’s Eaton Centre on Monday. The sculpture is a four-feet tall and six-feet wide hockey helmet crafted from sticks used by players across all six teams – Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, New York, Boston and Minnesota – during the PWHL’s 2023-2024 inaugural season.

“When I first imagined this sculpture, I wanted it to not only represent the strength of the players but also the legacy they’re building,” Douglas said. “Each stick tells a story – of the goals scored, the battles fought on and off the ice, and the passion these athletes pour into every game. The Inaugural Six is about more than hockey; it’s about breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.”

The unveiling came less than a week before the puck drops on the PWHL’s 2024-25 season, starting Nov. 30. “The Inaugural Six” was open to the public between Nov. 25 and Nov. 28.

“This sculpture is a unique opportunity to continue connecting with our community and inspire the future athletes of our league,” said Jayna Hefford, SVP of hockey operations for the PWHL and Hockey Hall of Famer. “Collaborating with a brand like Royale, which shares our commitment to empowering women athletes, makes this tribute to our inaugural season even more meaningful.”

In October, the PWHL was found to be the most trusted and reputable organization in the first-ever Canadian edition of the Harris Poll’s Corporate Reputation Quotient (RQ). The Harris Poll “Canada 50″ was based on more than 5,500 interviews with Canadian consumers and ranked how the “most visible” companies in Canada are perceived by the public across key metrics including trust, vision, growth, products and services, culture, ethics and citizenship.

That same month, Gatorade announced it was partnering with phenom Sarah Fillier, who is from Georgetown, Ont., and recently signed a one-year contract with the New York Sirens.