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Hockey is a fast-paced sport that is filled with power and grit. Between the goal lines, the game can get pretty wild, with its fair share of board body slams and brawls. It’s only as of recently where women have been more socially accepted into the male-dominated hockey scene. The sport has grown to be more inclusive with the formation of the PWHL in August 2023, and with women now working as coaches and in the front offices of the NHL.
The Hockey Hall of Fame had its most recent annual induction on November 11. Despite the progress that’s been made for women in hockey, only 12 women have ever been inducted, with the first, Cammi Granato, being inducted in 2010. However, there are way more than 12 women who have made their mark on the game. Hockey has a rich history where outstanding women have been present throughout.
Leading the Way
Even before women were granted suffrage, they were allowed, and even praised, for getting in the action on the ice. For instance, one of the earliest active women in the game was Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy, daughter of the famed Governor General Lord Stanley of Preston, whom the Stanley Cup is named after. Though she was born and lived most of her early life in England, she and her family quickly became captivated by the game when they arrived across the pond.
Lord Stanley had a hockey rink built at their residence, Rideau Hall, where the family played all the time during the winter. Isobel was encouraged to skate, and began playing hockey in 1889 on her family’s team, the Rideau Rebels, which had several other girls on the team. These girls were crucial to the Rebels’ success. They weren’t afraid of societal norms and of the rough nature of the game. They were happy to get in the action, being pushed around by the guys and didn’t mind any injuries.
In 1897, Isobel married Francis Gathorne-Hardy, who later became the Governor General of Canada himself. As her husband rose up the ranks, Isobel took advantage of her status to spread the game throughout the country. Today, she is fondly known and remembered as one of hockey’s greatest pioneers.
Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Isobel paved the way for many early trailblazers, including Eva Ault and Albertine Lapensée. Eva started to play for the Ottawa Alerts in 1915, and was known as the “Queen of the Ice.” Albertine played for the Cornwall Victorias, also from 1915 and until 1918, and was given the name “the Miracle Maid.” Both girls led their teams in winning records.
In the late 1920’s, Hazel McCallion played for a professional women’s hockey team while being a student. Hazel eventually became the first paid female hockey player, earning five dollars per game. In November 1978, she became mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, where she had major influence over the ice hockey scene. She chaired the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association, advocated for more ice time for girls hockey, brought international hockey tournaments to the area and was instrumental in starting an Ontario Hockey League team in Mississauga.
In the 1950’s, women started to make their first appearances in the front office of an NHL team. After the passing of her father, Marguerite Norris was named president of the Detroit Red Wings in 1952. During her time as president, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1954 and 1955. She was also the first woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Courtesy of Chris O’Meara/AP Photo
On September 23, 1992, Manon Rhéaume became the first and only woman to play in the NHL. While playing goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Blues, she allowed two goals on nine shots, allowing the Lightning to win. She truly paved the way for women in the world of hockey, and is one of the most respected goaltenders in the hockey community. Manon is currently the director of operations for the Los Angeles Kings.
This year, the Seattle Kraken hired Jessica Campbell as their assistant coach, making her the first female to coach in NHL history. She has inspired many by opening the door for women to hold the coaching position in the NHL. She is praised for offering a different perspective that challenges her players and her colleagues to grow into the best of their potential.
Women in the Hall of Fame
Though these women have been instrumental in hockey, these are only a few of the many women who have left their mark on the game. By learning their stories, it becomes evident that women have played major roles in growing the game, expanding its influence and turning it into the beloved sport it is today. Without women such as Isobel, hockey wouldn’t be as popular as it is and probably would not have spread all over Canada. Through women like Hazel, the doors were opened for women to play professional hockey in leagues like the PWHL. Through Marguerite's leadership the Red Wings were able to form their dynasty. Through women like Manon, girls were shown that they could keep up with the boys. Through women like Jessica, young women are shown that they can coach just as well as men.
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Women are clearly in every nook and cranny of hockey’s history and deserve a larger section in the Hall of Fame. This year’s Hall of Fame class has the largest number of women it's ever had at two with Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl. These women are representing all of the women who have come before them, and are hopefully opening the door for more women to be included in the future. Though the world likes to focus on the men that play the game, hockey’s story wouldn’t be written without women.
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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