King, Kloss Speak About Having PWHL Awards Named After Them

Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, members of the PWHL's Advisory Board, attended the opening game of the PWHL finals between PWHL Boston and PWHL Minnesota.

At intermission, PWHL broadcaster Tessa Bonhomme asked the pair about having the PWHL MVP award and PWHL playoff MVP award named after them.

"It's amazing, I would have thought that I would have an award named after me for tennis, but I'll take ice hockey," said Ilana Kloss during an intermission interview.

Kloss is the namesake for the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award.

"I couldn't believe it," said King. I mean I'm thrilled though to have the MVP for the league I guess."

"It's an honor to have my name anyplace associated with hockey, and it's just amazing what a great sport it is."

The Billie Jean King MVP Award will be handed out this year for the league's top player.

The naming of awards for Kloss and King drew the ire of many in the hockey world who felt the league was overlooking historic women from the hockey community in favor of more recent financial and business backers.

One of those individuals was former Canadian Governor General Adrienne Clarkson who was not only upset with the individual awards, but also the league's championship trophy which was named for league owner Mark Walter.

"I guess if you'e going to tennis players to talk about hockey, then you're not very interested in talking to Canadian women about hockey," said Clarkson.

Billie Jean King Enterprises took on an advisory role with the PWHPA prior to the launch of the league.

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