CAA to represent women's hockey players, signing eight

CAA is now representing women's hockey players, hoping to minimize the gender gap and help grow the sport, the agency told ESPN on Tuesday.

CAA has signed eight women's hockey players, including two-time Canadian Olympic medalist Blayre Turnbull and Boston College captain Hannah Bilka, to its initial roster, promising to provide the same level of services as for NHL clients.

"Women's hockey has grown immensely in the last 20 years, but still has a long way to go," said Jen Kardosh, who is the head of operation, marketing and client management for CAA Hockey. "We are excited to use the experience we have from the men's game to help these women grow their personal brands while also helping with the overall growth of the game."

The Premier Hockey Federation is the only professional league in North America and is in its eighth year of existence. While the league has made great strides -- including a plan to double its salary cap to $1.5 million in the 2023-24 season -- many of the sport's top players, including most Canadian and American Olympians, are holding out for a different league where they say they can make a sustainable, living wage.