The 2008–09 CWHL season was the second season of operation for the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL), a professional-standard women's ice hockey league in North America. The season concluded with the Montreal Stars winning both the regular-season title and the inaugural Clarkson Cup championship.
League Composition
The league consisted of six teams based in Ontario and Quebec:
- Montreal Stars
- Brampton Thunder
- Mississauga Chiefs
- Burlington Barracudas
- Vaughan Flames
- Ottawa Senators
The roster of teams remained consistent with the league's inaugural season, providing a stable platform for elite women's hockey talent in Central Canada.
Regular Season
The Montreal Stars dominated the regular season, finishing in first place with a record of 25 wins, 4 losses, and 1 overtime loss for a total of 51 points. The Brampton Thunder finished second in the standings.
The scoring race was led by Jayna Hefford of the Brampton Thunder, who recorded 69 points (44 goals and 25 assists) in 28 games. Other top performers included Caroline Ouellette and Angela James Bowl winner Adriana Leone.
Playoffs and the Clarkson Cup
The 2008–09 season was significant for the introduction of the Clarkson Cup as the championship trophy for women's hockey. While the CWHL held its own internal playoffs to determine a league champion, the postseason culminated in the first-ever Clarkson Cup tournament held in Kingston, Ontario.
The tournament featured the top teams from the CWHL and the Western Women's Hockey League (WWHL). In the CWHL playoffs, the Montreal Stars emerged as the league representatives for the final.
The Clarkson Cup final was contested between the Montreal Stars and the Minnesota Whitecaps (representing the WWHL). The Montreal Stars defeated the Whitecaps 3–1 on March 21, 2009, to become the first-ever winners of the Clarkson Cup.
Award Winners
Individual excellence was recognized through several league awards:
- Most Valuable Player: Jayna Hefford (Brampton Thunder)
- Top Forward: Jayna Hefford (Brampton Thunder)
- Top Defender: Becky Kellar (Burlington Barracudas)
- Top Goaltender: Kim St-Pierre (Montreal Stars)
- Rookie of the Year: Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal Stars)
The season is noted in sports history for establishing the Clarkson Cup as a prestigious trophy and for the continued professionalization of women’s ice hockey in Canada.