Vaughan Flames

Lore & Background

The Vaughan Flames began in 1995 as a club within the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA), expanding to include teams at all levels including Senior. In 1999 the club joined the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), where it underwent several name changes: Clearnet Lightning (1999–2001), Telus Lightning (2001–2006), Durham Lightning (2005–2006), and Etobicoke Dolphins (2006–07, the NWHL's final season). In 2007 the Vaughan Flames joined the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL). The team's last season in the CWHL was 2009–10; in 2010 the CWHL announced it would reduce its number of teams to five, and the Vaughan Flames ceased playing in the league, though the club's intermediate and younger-level programs continued.

Reader's Guide

The Vaughan Flames represent a significant chapter in the development of women's professional hockey in Canada. Originating as a local OWHA club in 1995, the team evolved through multiple league affiliations and name changes, reflecting the shifting landscape of women's hockey during the late 1990s and 2000s. Its tenure in the NWHL under names like Clearnet Lightning and Telus Lightning, and later as the Etobicoke Dolphins, shows the franchise's adaptability. Joining the CWHL in 2007 placed the Flames in a league that aimed to provide a professional platform for women players. The team's roster included notable talents such as U.S. national team defenseman Kerry Weiland (2007–08) and Canadian national team forward Jenn Wakefield (2009–10). The 2010 reduction of the CWHL to five teams ended the Flames' participation at the professional level, but the club's continued operation of intermediate and youth programs underscores its lasting grassroots impact. The Vaughan Flames thus serve as an example of a franchise that bridged community hockey and professional aspirations.

Did You Know?

• The Vaughan Flames played home games at Vaughan Sports Village in Vaughan, Ontario.
• The team was known as the Clearnet Lightning from 1999 to 2001 and the Telus Lightning from 2001 to 2006.
• Kerry Weiland, a member of the USA National Team, played for the Flames in the 2007–08 season.
• Jenn Wakefield, a Canada National Team player, was on the Flames' roster in the 2009–10 season.