Slowly Breaking the Glass Ceiling: NHL All Star Game to Feature the Best Women’s Players
It seems like just yesterday when Kendall Coyne-Schofield broke the barrier again and competed in the NHL All-Star Game skills competition. It had been 27 years since Manon Rheaum joined the Tampa Bay Lighting as the first ever female hockey player to be signed to a North American professional sports team. Some say it was a gimmick, but she definitely earned her spot. Thankfully we didn’t have to wait close to three decades again. This year at the 2020 (Jan 24-25th) NHL All Star contest, the women will get their chance to shine. Only one year after Kendall Coyne-Schofield took the ice in the fastest skater competition.
Announced first by ESPN, 24 Members of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) will participate in a 3 v 3 game during the festivities. Even though the National Hockey League and its Commissioner Gary Bettman have not released official word, the event is already starting to get hype around the female hockey community. Sources are saying that the plans have been in the works for months, but are just now coming to light. We look forward to more official communication in the upcoming days and leading up to the All Star Break.
For those that love the new format of the NHL’s overtime, 3v3 hockey is generally fast past, skill driven and very exciting to watch. We expect this event to be no different. We are hoping that this will also increase awareness for the female game! Even though the NHL doesn’t want to be seen as a bully and go up against the NWHL, this is a great opportunity to foster and grow the female hockey game.
We can hope that this will continue to foster and grow the girl’s hockey game and inspire the next generation of hockey girl. Let’s hope the NHL and broadcasters will chose to air this part of the event on national TV, just like the skills competitions. As the 24 participants are named, we look forward to shining the spotlight on them as they are a true inspiration to girls and women everywhere that play the greatest game.
The PWHPA has been working hard with the Gap Tour that started in Toronto back in September 2019 and it has been increasing in popularity as they move across the continent. Hosting Showcases and Events in not only Toronto, but Chicago and New Hudson as well. They have also seen growing support in sponsorship for the events proving that the movement is indeed gaining momentum.
The largest event was this past weekend, held in Toronto as the Secret Women's Showcase. It attracted some known sponsors, as Adidas Hockey helped put together the Skills Competition, Secret Sponsored the event of course and the list continues to grow. Featuring names like Brianna Decker, Hilary Knight, Natalie Spooner and others to show off that Females have skills to compete. The six teams battled it out in a fun environment that had girls of all ages cheering on their favorite players.
Girls hockey is the fastest growing sport in the US, because of these events, the NHL All Stars and the Dream Gap Tour, Girls all over are building their dreams and aspirations! Of course, as more information is released we will continue to update!