The participation of women and girls in hockey has increased significantly, although it still lags behind male involvement. In the 2023-24 hockey season, there were 108,313 registered female players in Hockey Canada programs, accounting for about one-fifth of all participants. Gillian Apps, a former national hockey player leading a committee focused on girls for Hockey Canada, noted that while the hockey culture is evolving, concerns remain among parents regarding the sport’s reputation compared to other options like soccer or gymnastics. Hockey Canada aims to have 170,000 girls playing hockey by 2030, but current progress falls short of this target.
Apps emphasized the growing attention on women in hockey, citing the launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League in 2023 and the historic entry of the first full-time female coach in the NHL. Colleen Sostorics, a former national player turned coach, highlighted the significant shift she has witnessed in female participation in hockey over the past four decades. She noted that it is now common to see young girls with ponytails carrying hockey bags into rinks, a sight that was once rare.
A discussion paper by Hockey Canada identified various barriers hindering girls and women in hockey, including issues related to education, policy, visibility, and ice allocation equity. Despite an average retention period of 7.24 years for girls and women in hockey, which is lower than that of boys and men, the success of the PWHL has been a catalyst for positive change. Amanda Hungle, head of Hockey Regina, mentioned the increasing opportunities for girls and women to engage in the sport, with programs starting from age five and extending to under-18 levels.
Ice time availability remains a challenge, prompting Hockey Regina to establish a committee dedicated to female hockey growth and development, aiming for equal ice time distribution among different hockey streams. The organization is focused on gathering data to address barriers to entry and retention for females in the sport. Sostorics emphasized the importance of inclusivity and the enjoyment of the game for both genders. Hockey Canada is set to unveil recommendations later in the spring to further enhance the female hockey experience.