Courtesy of USA Today
Not only do women belong in hockey, but hockey needs women.
In the same season that Jessica Campbell made history as the first woman coach for an NHL team, it’s unfortunate to still see so much negativity, and many incorrect takes rooted in sexism, when it comes to women in hockey. On Jan. 23 in the Washington Capitals vs. Seattle Kraken game history was made when Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell and Capitals video coach Emily Engel-Natzke became the first women coaches to play against each other in the NHL. Katie Adler wrote about this groundbreaking moment for women in sports in an article for RMNB. Under RMNB’s post with the article, a comment said that women have no place in men's hockey.
Many women who work in men’s hockey, from college to professional, posted pictures of themselves at their jobs working both on and off the ice, proving not only that the person’s comment was incorrect, but that men’s hockey needs women in order to operate.
In the face of negativity, women in hockey were able to come together, inspire each other and women with goals of working in hockey, and prove that not only do they belong in hockey, but they’re already there and breaking barriers. I had the chance to discuss the responses to the comment with Adler and other women in hockey.
Katie Adler (@katieEadler) is a hockey writer for RMNB, covering the Washington Capitals and serving as RMNB’s in-person reporter for the Capitals at their home games and practices. When she wrote her article on coaches Jessica Campbell and Emily Engel-Natzke making NHL history, she thought RMNB’s post for it was nothing out of the ordinary, and she even expected there to be someone having a reactionary take to women working in the NHL, but she didn’t expect anyone outside of the usual audience of Capitals fans to see it and speak up. Engel-Natzke herself even responded “Lol 😂” to the comment.
Adler said that so many women in hockey coming together and connecting was a special moment. “It's incredibly special. I’m a small part in this story, I wrote an article and somebody had a reaction. The real heroes are the women who spent so many years and went through so much carving our path.”
When asked what she hopes people can take away from this moment, Adler said, “We’re here, we’re not going away, and you can do it too. I get backlash and negativity from trolls on the internet, but they are not representative of what this world actually looks like. There are a lot of people out there who will back you and support you. Working in hockey as a woman isn’t going to be easy, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”
Megan Cahill (@meganmelinda) is the vice president of communications and digital media for the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL. She develops and implements the team's public relations and digital media strategies in coordination with corporate partnerships, game operations and the ticketing department, oversees and directs the Crunch's social media accounts and online content while managing all digital advertising, and is responsible for organizing team appearances and serving as the primary media contact for the organization.
“I was honestly surprised with how much engagement my post got. Other than one negative comment, I’ve seen a lot of positive and uplifting responses. I love that all the women in hockey have used this as an opportunity to show off their positions and success in men’s hockey. There are so many super talented and successful women within the sport,” Cahill said.
The awards that Cahill speaks of in her post are the AHL Award of Excellence in Digital Media in the Eastern Conference for the 2016-17 season, AHL Award for Most Unique Social Media Promotion for the Syracuse Crunch Locker Room Karaoke Battles in 2017-18, the AHL’s Social Media Department of the Year for the 2019-20 season, and the AHL Award for Most Unique Social Media Content for the Syracuse Canal Mules rebrand night and beer league hockey mockumentary in 2023-24. She was also recently honored by the American Hockey League with the Ken McKenzie Award, which is presented annually to an AHL team executive who most successfully promotes their club, for outstanding public relations and marketing following the 2023-24 season.
Cahill has worked in the AHL for 11 seasons, and has done informational interviews, talked with classes, and been on women in sports panels, and finds it rewarding that she and other women in hockey can motivate the next generation of women in men’s hockey. She is inspired by seeing many women advancing into leadership positions in the league, front offices, and hockey operations. She said, “They have not been discouraged or intimidated by sometimes being the only woman in the room.”
Emma Lingan (@emma_lingan) is the Nashville Predators site editor and reporter for The Hockey News and host of The Wraparound and Locked On Predators. She said that she received reactions from both ends of the spectrum, but is choosing to focus on the positives. One message she received as a result of her post stuck out to her: “I did get one message from a single mom who said she started getting into hockey as a way to bond with her daughter this year and that they enjoy watching my shows together, which means the world to me!”
Lingan is inspired by young girls who want to work in sports someday. “Being a woman in this industry is not easy, but I want to be a role model who continues to carve out space in the industry for future generations of women so they will have more doors open to them. On my hardest days, that’s what keeps me going.”
Lorelei Ritzert (@LoreleiRitzert) is a graphic designer for the Dallas Stars. Her post gained a variety of reactions. She said, “There were a lot of very degrading comments not only about being a woman in the industry but my role itself saying that just because I ‘make a few little edits’ doesn't give me the right to say I work in hockey. But on the flip side it was really cool to see other women in hockey speaking up and being supportive of each other. I also loved seeing support from men, and fans that I know follow me.”
Women play an important role in visual aspects of hockey, but also in the work that goes on behind the scenes. Ritzert works closely with two women with the Stars who inspire her: Chelsea Livingston and Joanne Lovato. “They are both in VP roles which I think is cool seeing women hold those roles. There are so many women in creative roles within hockey who are all extremely talented, and each of them inspire me in many ways. I think just seeing more, more women come into these spaces is incredibly inspiring!”
Anne Tokarski (@annetokarski) is the marketing coordinator for the Rochester Americans in the AHL. After she made her post, she said she experienced negativity and tough comments to read from people she doesn’t know. She also received support from her colleagues in the industry.
When it came to many women in hockey speaking up, Tokarski said, “The best part of it is seeing how many incredible women working in men’s hockey there are now – even just five or ten years ago, there wouldn’t have been nearly this many women working or posting and it’s really empowering and rewarding to see. Plus now I have more people to follow!”
Kayleigh Schmidt (@KayleighOnIce) is the director of marketing and communications for the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL, and was previously the vice president of business development for the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL. She said about her post, “I did have one guy quote mine (along with others) saying that most girls doing this just think having a pretty face and working in broadcasting means you're in hockey. He basically wanted those who played. I didn't respond because it's not worth it. I've been skating since I was 3, but don't need to prove that to an internet troll. But everyone else has been great and supportive. I think they all love seeing how many women are involved from so many different teams, leagues, and positions!”
Schmidt is from Minnesota and working hockey is like a dream for her. She wants to continue pushing the boundaries in the sport. With all of the women in hockey posting, so much more visibility is brought to the fact that they do belong in hockey.
“I think any woman working in sports, especially hockey, is inspiring. This thread really showcases some great people and it's been cool to see,” Schmidt said.
Alexis (@alexisfromvegas) works in media, marketing, and branding for bdG Sports. Her pictures are from an event called IceVegas which held a college hockey tournament in the T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights. Alexis was initially only doing socials for the event, but when the in-arena host had to suddenly step out, she had the opportunity to step up and do reporting and interviews.
The trend has shown the importance of representation in hockey, and also has the potential to bring in new fans. “Growing up and working in other sports my whole life it's been so cool to be immersed in the sport of hockey, especially as a black woman because there really aren't many of us in the space. Most reacted with positivity to that post, and now I feel like it has piqued the interest of those in my network who didn't know I work in hockey to maybe get into the sport themselves,” Alexis said.
Sam Kothe (@SamKothee) is the game operations intern for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. With her post, she said she’s received nothing but support from women either in the industry or trying to break through.
“Through my experience, women in the sports industry as a whole, not just in hockey, are the most supportive of each other. We all know how difficult it is to get in,” Kothe said. With the backlash that some women have received for their responses, she says it shows what women in sports have to go through.
Jordan (@jordananderss) is a live social contributor with the NHL and does social content for both teams when they play in Las Vegas. She did not expect her post to get the attention that it did, and while most of the reactions she received were good, she said there were a few negative comments, but expected it with the nature of X and being a woman in a male-dominated sport.
All of the women who work in hockey who have taken part in the trend show that women have a place in sports. “The thing that inspires me about being a woman in hockey is just trying to help keep breaking down barriers for women in sports, especially those in sports that are male-dominated,” she said.
Emma Retzer (@emmaretzer) is the director of partnership fulfillment with the Indy Fuel in the ECHL. With the Fuel, she works with other women who she says are amazing. “Everyone is so driven and powerful that it pushes me as well. We’re a small but mighty group here and we always joke that the team would crumble if we disappeared,” Retzer said.
While some jabs for her post, most people have been very supportive, and she’s focusing on the connections she’s made with other women in hockey as a result.
What started out as a negative, incorrect comment turned into many women coming together to prove that women do, in fact, have a place in men’s hockey.
Edited by Giana Robertaccio