A new era of women’s hockey skates into Vancouver with the PWHL

THE PWHL/ WEBSITE

This September, female hockey players will rock on their skates at the blue line, waiting for the referee to drop the puck at Vancouver's first-ever PWHL game. In the stands, fans will cheer with excitement, ready to witness a new era of women's hockey on the West Coast. 

Long-time PWHL fan Alexa Liptak heard about the expansion announcement and was overwhelmed with emotion. As a reporter for the local non-profit organization Girls at the Games, Liptak has followed the PWHL since its inception. 

"This is a big move for Vancouver," says Liptak. "[The sports teams in Vancouver] give many young girls role models to look up to and things they can aspire to be."  

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) just wrapped up its second season, and the league is already expanding. The latest addition to the West Coast is exciting news for the city of Vancouver, bringing added visibility and representation for women in sports. Young girls will have role models to look up to, and they’ll be right here in their own backyard. 

Season ticket membership deposits for the inaugural season are on sale, but come with limited availability. The community is clearly ready for a new team, marking an exciting time for women's hockey in Canada.

Brianna Davey, vice-president of member services-minor and female hockey at BC Hockey, is looking forward to having a team on the West Coast to cheer on.

"It's awesome we have a… women's team coming to Vancouver," says Davey. "It's going to benefit our communities across the province and… Western Canada. [This new team] will impact what we do with our programming [at BC Hockey]." 

Davey says registration for female hockey is currently closed, but when registration opens, she believes this new team in Vancouver will significantly increase the number of people who register for their programs. 

"It's going to impact our registration numbers and the excitement around the game," says Davey. "You’re going to find new people interested in the game because now they can see women playing it out here at a professional level."

The arrival of PWHL Vancouver is reshaping sports culture in B.C. with the introduction of its first professional hockey team. 

Associations such as BC Hockey are excited to see greater visibility come to their programs with the addition of this team. Even before puck drop, the team is already securing its spot on the map of professional women's hockey. 

Davey explains how representation for women’s and girls’ hockey has strengthened already in the first weeks since the announcement. There has been an increase in leadership roles in the NHL and PWHL, and sports analysts such as Tessa Bonhomme are highly involved in the PWHL, spreading the word and giving back to what they believe in - women's hockey. 

"It's going to be nice to see these [hockey] stars come over [to Vancouver]," says Davey. "[Young girls] will get to see their role models play in a space they know… It's quite special."

Davey adds BC Hockey hopes to collaborate with PWHL Vancouver to establish a connection once the team is settled and ready for its inaugural season. 

Davey explains how PWHL Vancouver will likely integrate with the minor hockey associations in the Lower Mainland, to support their team’s growth and involvement in the community. 

For fans like Alexa Liptak, the new team in Vancouver is more than just an addition to the West Coast, it symbolizes something greater than the game. 

"[This team] gives more opportunities… [so] young girls have something to strive for," says Liptak. "It has a big impact on women's sports, seeing this brand-new league where everyone's raving about it. This is women's sports, and it's big."

Liptak adds she’ll do anything to watch Vancouver's games at the arena or on the big screen, emphasizing the importance of others tuning in to the games and giving these players the recognition and support they deserve. 

“I'm ready for Vancouver hockey.”