The top Canadian and US Olympians play in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The new pilot pro league, based in Eastern Canada is trying to form a viable alternative to big-league sport and act as an incubator for broad-based talent. This August, the non-profit, player-run league held the first female player draft in history to equitably spread the top talent across across five teams in Montreal, Boston, Toronto, Brampton and Burlington. Players aren't yet paid, but teams are equitably funded by the league, play in local arenas and offer fans affordable ticket prices. This video was shot last season and takes you inside a game between the Montreal Stars and the Mississauga Chiefs. Both squads played for the Clarkson Cup championships, in Richmond Hill, ON, March 27-28, 2010.

Directed, shot, edited by Meg Hewings, with invaluable assistance from Cameron Esler.