Have you ever wanted to get into hockey but didn’t know where to start? Did you want to be a fan but don’t like the “intensity” of other fans? Or do you just want to support women in sports? Well, do I have a league for you…
Hockey is one of my favorite sports to watch. I love the fast pace of the game, the dopamine rush I get when my team scores, and the anxiety I feel in my stomach when going into overtime. Hockey was a big reason why I chose to go to Bowling Green; we’re a hockey school after all! But the culture surrounding the sport isn’t the most welcoming for women.
Whether you’re directly involved with the sport or just a casual viewer, some fans can be ruthless with their comments online. But there is a chance to create a positive and welcoming environment for women in the sport, thanks to the PWHL.
The PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) was founded on August 29, 2023, and consists of 6 teams; Toronto, Minnesota, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, and New York. With rumors of expansion after a little over 5 months, according to The Athletic (Eyeing PWHL expansion, Penguins prepare for a women’s team: ‘This will work in Pittsburgh’ – The Athletic) this is a league that you should invest in. Why? I’m glad you asked.
Not only are these women pioneering a new league for us viewers, but they’re also paving a new career path young girls can take. Little girls now live in a world where they can make a career out of playing their favorite sport, while women who didn’t have that opportunity are cheering them on and giving them their full support. This is huge.
While the league isn’t completely protected from trolls online, it’s a considerably safer space for young girls to grow up in compared to the culture the NHL has made for itself. More seasons will mean more opportunities to grow. That is what this league needs, but we’ll only get more growth if the general public shows interest. The general public’s interest is the key to more investors and ultimately more money.
So, the PWHL is streaming all their games this season for free on their YouTube channel, why not give it a chance? The privilege of watching a league grow before you and become a community young girls and women can call their own is a great one. This league is already so special, who knows what it will look like in a few years after all the growing pains.