NHL's Canadiens, CWHL's Stars strike partnership to grow women's game

Montreal Canadiens chief executive Geoff Molson and CWHL Comissioner Brenda Andress pose with Montreal Stars players Lisa-Marie Breton-Lebreux, left, Julie Chu, Noemie Marin, Charline Labonte, Ann-Sophie Bettez, and Cathy Chartrand, right, Thursday, March 19, 2015 in Montreal. The Montreal Canadiens announced a partnership agreement with the Montreal Stars of the Canadian Women's Hockey League.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL - The NHL's Montreal Canadiens announced a partnership agreement Thursday with the Montreal Stars of the Canadian Women's Hockey League.

The Canadiens said in a release that the organization will make its infrastructure and resources available to the Stars while assisting in merchandising and promoting the CWHL team's brand.

The Canadiens will team up with the Stars to put an emphasis on growing the women's game through hockey camps or conditioning clinics.

"As a professional hockey organization, we have been closely involved in minor hockey development for many years in Quebec, and with the growing popularity of women's hockey over the last decade," Canadiens president and CEO Geoff Molson said in a statement.

"I think this is the right time to concretely support women who play professional hockey, and, at the same time, promote the sport among up-and-coming players."

The CWHL was founded in 2007 and today includes four teams in Canada as well as the U.S.-based Boston Blades. The Blades beat the Stars 3-2 in overtime in the league's Clarkson Cup final on March 7.