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This is a tribute to the women of hockey. The ones who shaped the sport, the ones who adore the sport and the ones who live the sport.

The sports industry is, in many ways, a patriarchal and patrilineal system. Reflect on your own introduction to hockey. Most of us have that “tomboy” quality to us. I remember being 4 years old and wanting a back hoe digger for Christmas.. We relate to our Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles and Brothers. Whether you spent your time watching your dad play at the rink or used to sit down with your grandpa for the Saturday afternoon game, the vast majority of women identify their love of hockey through the predominant male figures in their lives.

Along the way we seem to have lost some sense of identity as being women of the sport.

It’s time to take back what hockey means to us as females and recognise some of the kick ass chicks in this epic game.

We need to be empowered female fans and hockey players. To celebrate our worth and important contributions to the hockey community. To reject stereotypes, break down constraining typecasts and flaunt our love for the greatest game in the world. To allow ourselves to feel proud and comfortable in our own oestrogen laden skin.

Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to speak with a number of different women from various walks of life. Some are fans, some are players. They vary in age, image, personality, even race, but each share one common trait in their love for hockey.

The fans spoke of stereotypes and prejudices they are often faced with when first being introduced to a group of hockey fans. Assumptions are made and our credibility challenged. We have to work to prove our validity as fans and EARN the respect of our peers. Although, as Autumn E. points out, “the girl who showed up with the MARRY ME SIDNEY sign and the wedding dress? Well, she sure isn’t helping.”.

Ugh………..

THIS is a REAL hockey bride:

Marian M. speaks of a deep passion for the sport. “Hockey fans are the most passionate fans out there.” She loves the fact that “people from different cities and backgrounds are brought together from discussing topics in hockey”.

“I think it’s the teamwork that creates the bonds between players and their sheer talent that draws me in. I feel that hockey players are among the most talented, dedicated, and hardworking athletes out there. Watching hockey and going to games gives me a thrill that I just can’t describe, but it’s great to feel.” (Marian M.)

Others share Marian’s appreciation for the physical talent displayed by the athletes and the dedication and effort they put into their training.

“I choose hockey as a favorite sport because the hard work and dedication it takes to play the game. The players work harder and harder day in and day out, never complaining, always focused on their goals! Hockey is life and it shows many people the dedication needed to be the best. I am a hockey fan for life because of how the athletes treat the fans and help the fans believe that anything you dream for yourself is possible!” (Angela C.)

　

Saedeh R shares her opinion from, not only a female perspective, but also from the perspective of a Muslim. Complete with her hijab, she finds herself frequently misunderstood by others who seem unable to grasp her love of sports in cohesion with her religion. Her parents sometimes feel she should invest her time in more feminine activities.

“Hockey is fun. It inspires me because it’s about team work, confidence and believing in yourself. Like Sid once said in an interview: “Your dreams, they’re so important. you have to have big dreams and expect a lot of yourself. At the end of the day, if you’re there, then great. If not, you can say you left it all out there and had fun doing it”.”

She also strives to exemplify his “lead by example” attitude on a daily basis.

The game of Hockey inspires us is many ways. It has “big taste” and stirs up an endless amount of emotions within us.

“There is something to be said about the sheer physicality of the game. Bodies hitting bodies. Unyielding power smashing equally unweilding power. The smack of the puck on the boards. The thunk of the hockey sticks on hockey sticks. Skates both lovely and deadly. Body parts a tangle in the corners.

There are other things as well that stir me to loving the game so much.
The smell of the ice, that ammonia based tangy acrid smell that hides in your nostrils and exhales forever….the smell of the players themselves, if you have ever been ‘fortunate’ enough to be sitting or standing by their bench after a few minutes of sweaty play. Stale beer spilled on the stairs. Popcorn machines blazing in the concourses. Fans of all shapes and sizes and ages spilling through the turnstiles.

I love how the puck seems to glide down the ice. I love how the players all seem to know where each other are and can just pass the frozen biscuit to set up a jaw dropping and dazzling play. I love the sheer joy on the face of a player who scores a goal, especially if that player is one of my favourites.” (Lin B)

Many feel a strong connection between Hockey and their own personal identity.

“There’s such a certain spirit to the game of hockey that just gives me chills when I think about it. It’s OUR GAME. Invented on our soil (though technically on Lake Erie in the 1800s, the very lake my dad works by). I can’t help but swell with pride when I see the game winning goals, or even the slightest bit of Canadian players rocking the ice. Hockey has connected me with people; with my family. It even helped me find the love of my life. I feel now like it is a part of me, and I can’t ever let that go.” (Autumn E.)

As an advocate for the game of hockey, I cannot stress enough that it is NEVER too late to become involved in the sport. I know many women who have began their participation at varied stages of life. Some have been skating since they were toddlers, others take the plunge in their late teens/early adulthood, I even know of women who didn’t pick up a stick until their late 40’s. EVERYONE can find a way to get into the game, and to experience firsthand the thrill of scoring your first goal or the excitement that rushes through your entire body every time you take the ice.

When asked why women play hockey, my former team mate Trudy Reyns stated that “we play because we have passion, determination, and the ability to overcome the social prejudices that we constantly are facing.”

Trudy began playing hockey at the age of 4 in the boy’s rep league and at 15 started in women’s Jr. AA. She was offered a hockey scholarship out of highschool to play for the NCAA Division 1 Quinnipiac Bobcats where she represented the team as Captain in her Junior year. Trudy currently plays for the Salzburg Ravens out of Austria in the Elite Women’s Hockey League recently earning the Top Defenseman Award at the International Ice Hockey Federation European Women’s Championship Cup.

She notes that these days there are more opportunities for women and hockey.

Trudy refers fondly to her time spent at the rink, which acted like a second home for her growing up. She appreciates and values the support she has always received from her team mates and the help they provided her, especially in the boy’s league, to develop into such a strong physical player.

There is a real sense of bond and kinship within the hockey community. One of the things that makes hockey so special and unique is the way fans and players form solid foundations for one another. We’re like a family; linked through endless support systems based on the faith and belief we have in each other.

I was fortunate enough to have the privilege to conduct an interview with 3 time World Champion and Gold Medal Olympian Carla Macleod.

Carla won a gold medal with Canada at the 2006 Olympics and will play in her second Olympics this month.

5Hole: What does it mean to you to be a female hockey player? Any negatives (ie: struggles or prejudices you’ve encountered) as well as positives?

MacLeod: Well I’m lucky, I’ve been able to be a hockey player my entire life! I started skating at 2 1/2 years old and began organized hockey at 4. As far as being a girl playing hockey, I really didn’t have any major challenges. I played 8 years with the boys and the guys always treated me really well.

5Hole: Why hockey?

Macleod: I was too young when I started to really know why hockey. But according to my parents I always wanted to play hockey. The same year I began, my sister went into Ringette, so that was an option, but hockey was what I loved (and still love!)

5Hole: What inspires you about the sport?

Macleod: I simply love the game of hockey. I’m excited when I get to be out on the ice and learning new things. I also love the people of the game. Many of my closest friends come from hockey and for that I’m grateful. I love that with the game of hockey things are always changing, no game is the same, no shift is identical. The constant change is awesome.

5Hole: What is so great and unique about being a hockey player and the hockey community as a whole?

Macleod: I love that I get to play hockey for the country that LOVES and understands the game like no other in the world! Hockey brings together Canada and to be a small part of that is really incredible. Also, over the years I’ve learned how close the hockey community really is and it’s special to be a part of that!

There are many examples of amazing women involved in hockey throughout history.

You’ve probably all heard of Cassie Campbell -prior team Canada captain, 2 time Olympic gold medallist, first women to do colour commentary of a HNIC broadcast, and first female hockey player to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Haley Wickenheiser -2 time Olympic gold medallist, Current team Canada captain, first women to be signed to a men’s professional hockey team, andone of  the only woman to ever represent Canada in the summer AND winter Olympics.

Or Manon Rheaume -first woman to play in an NHL game (1992 pre-season for the Tampa Bay Lightning).

But considering women have been strapping on skates and taking the ice since the 1890’s we forget about some of the others throughout the 20^th century who have helped shape the game and create opportunities for women in hockey.

(uhhhh)

 

Elizabeth Graham 1927. First goaltender to ever wear a mask for protection. Graham “gave the fans a surprise when she stepped into the nets and then donned a fencing mask.”

(Graham located in the center)

 

This occurred 3 years before Clint Benedict donned his version of the mask for the Montreal Maroons.

And 32 years before the legendary Jacque Plante.

 

 

Bobbie Rosenfeld 1920. Named Canada’s female athlete of the first half century (1900-1950). Interested in multiple sports including hockey (her favourite team sport). Known as the “superwoman of ladies’ hockey”, Rosenfeld helped inaugurate the Ladies’ Ontario Hockey Association.

 

Hilda Ranscombe-Hockey immortal. Compared to the men of her generation in the 1930’s, she was as good as any in the NHL. She played for the Preston Rivulettes who lost just 2 of 350 games played during that decade (until war brought an end to their dynasty). All of her equipment has been donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

(Ranscombe located front and center)

 

Abby Hoffman-When no female leagues were available to her, Hoffman cut her hair and was registered as a boy “Ab Hoffman” in order to play hockey in the mid 50’s. She was only 8 years old at the time and had everyone convinced she was a male until she participated in an all-star game that required players to submit their birth certificates.

Hoffman was ejected from the league and her story made international news. She later assisted the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in implementing a national women’s championship, and today, representatives from each province vie for the Abby Hoffman Cup.

One of my personal hero’s in women’s hockey is Vicky Sunohara (a more modern day female hockey elite). Vicky represented Canada in 1990 at the first official Women’s World Championships where she tallied 6 goals and 3 assists in five games (and we all know the equivalent of 3 ASS). She captured a total of 6 gold medals in 8 IIHF World Women’s Championships. Vicky is a 3 time Olympian and has 1 silver and 2 gold medals to show for it. I had the opportunity to meet Vicky when I was a young girl. She has been a near MAF like inspiration in my hockey life. Vicky ranks in the top 15 in career points at the World Championships and Olympic Winter Games.

 

Being a women in the hockey community has it’s frustrating moments, but “times are changing and true female hockey fans are being given more credit”. The truly dedicated will always find a way to thrive and overcome the hurdles they are faced with.

In the end, we may not have the Y chromosome, but we all share the Hockeysome.

WOO!!

 

This Is For All The Ladies. (Exclusive Interview), 4.2 out of 5 based on 10 ratings number of view: 6342

Tags: Abby Hoffman, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Carla MacLeod, Cassie Campbell, Clint Benedict, Elizabeth Graham, Haley Wickenheiser, Hilda Ranscombe, Jacque Plante, Manon Rheaume, ShutYour5Hole, Trudy Reyns, Vicky Sunohara

This entry was posted by ShutYour5Hole on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 8:10 pm and is filed under Other, Pittsburgh Penguins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.