Hockey Canada exec accused of using spot on team to sign player to cheaper deal

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Josh Tupper
June 22, 2024 (10:23 PM)

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Daryl Watts has allegedly been bought off by a PWHL team to accept less money. This is not a good start for a newly formed professional hockey league.

The PWHL is a new professional women's league that has seen a good deal of controversy in its first season of existence. They're currently in the news due to yet another controversy.

Troy Ryan, the head coach of PWHL Toronto, and his newest addition, Daryl Watts, are under investigation, according to Alex Adams of the Hockey News. Ryan is suspected of using a National Team incentive to bribe Watts into accepting less money.

Re: Daryl Watts Signing in Toronto

Toronto's Gina Kingsbury and Troy Ryan are the GM/Coach of Hockey Canada/TOR. Watts has never played for Canada.

She reportedly turned down more money from other teams.

Same day she signs, she is part of an invitee list to play for Canada.
That seems like a clear potential for a conflict of interest.

#PWHL

As previously established, Ryan is the head coach of the Canadian National Women's team. Gina Kingsbury, the general manager of Toronto, and Ryan worked together to persuade Watts to sign a contract with Toronto for less money in exchange for an invitation to the National Team.

There is unquestionably a conflict of interest here if this is the real reason Watts was convinced to sign in Toronto. It doesn't matter that Watts wasn't even considered for the Canadian Women's National Team prior to her signing in Toronto today, and the optics aren't great.

Source: Blade of Steel
PWHL team accused of bribing player to sign for less money

POLL
Do you think PWHL Toronto and both Ryan and Kingsbury should be reprimanded?
Yes	25	49 %
No	5	9.8 %
This league won't last	11	21.6 %
Bribing a player is ridiculous	10	19.6 %
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