More than 200 of the worldsa国际传媒檚 top womensa国际传媒檚 hockey players have formed a union, saying they must sa国际传媒渟tand togethersa国际传媒� if there is to be a sustainable professional league.

The Professional Womensa国际传媒檚 Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) said Monday the paperwork was filed Friday to help push for the creation of a sa国际传媒渟ingle, viable womensa国际传媒檚 professional league in North America.sa国际传媒�

The women had announced earlier this month their pledge to sit out the upcoming season in North America after the Canadian Womensa国际传媒檚 Hockey League abruptly shut down this year. That leaves only the National Womensa国际传媒檚 Hockey League, which took back control of the Buffalo Beauts on May 8.

The PWHPA said in a statement the association also will help players co-ordinate training needs and opportunities and develop sponsor support.

sa国际传媒淲e are fortunate to be ambassadors of this beautiful game, and it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation of players have more opportunities than we had,sa国际传媒� Kendall Coyne Schofield said in a statement. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 time to stand together and work to create a viable league that will allow us to enjoy the benefits of our hard work.sa国际传媒�

Coyne Schofield won Olympic gold with the U.S. in 2018 and was an NWHL All-Star with the Minnesota Whitecaps this past season.

The new unionsa国际传媒檚 members include players from Europe along with the U.S. and Canada.

sa国际传媒淲e might play for different teams, and come from different countries, but wesa国际传媒檙e united in our goals,sa国际传媒� said goaltender Noora R盲ty, who has won two Olympic bronze medals with Finland. sa国际传媒淭his is about protecting ourselves, protecting our future, and making hockey a better place for women and girls.sa国际传媒�

The PWHPA made it clear the union wants a league that provides health insurance, money and infrastructure along with support for training programs.

sa国际传媒淲e are prepared to stop playing for a year, which is crushing to even think about, because we know how important a sustainable league will be to the future of womensa国际传媒檚 sports,sa国际传媒� Canadian national team goalie Shannon Szabados said. sa国际传媒淲e know we can make this work, and we want the chance to try.sa国际传媒�

Liz Knox, former co-chair of the CWHL Players Association, said the players are uncertain about what happens next.

sa国际传媒淏ut we move forward united, dedicated, and hopeful for our future and the future of this game we love so much,sa国际传媒� Knox said.

The NWHL stresses that not everyone is boycotting the lone remaining womensa国际传媒檚 professional league.

The league announced a couple of player deals, notably one featuring Madison Packer. Packer, who is tied for most goals in NWHL history, signed for $12,000 to play the upcoming season with the Metropolitan Riveters. The NWHL previously announced players also will receive a 50 per cent cut of revenue and 15 per cent apparel sales with their names this upcoming season.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 coming back for a fifth season because I am passionate about continuing my playing career and to advance the game and our league,sa国际传媒� Packer said.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 confident in the direction our sport is headed, and in the plan the NWHL has laid out for a strong season and positive experience for players and fans. Itsa国际传媒檚 important to build off the momentum created by the leaguesa国际传媒檚 success last season, and my body feels good enough to continue playing.sa国际传媒�

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press