The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

In a time when the women's game is working towards finding methods to establish a living wage, another factor deserving of consideration is jobs for women in hockey. As Erika Vanderveer plans the next stages of her professional career, her time at The Hockey News represented the potential for female hockey players to obtain good careers in hockey. Working as the Art Director for the last three years (and another three as a Designer), Vanderveer admirably balanced her employment with the popular periodical while standing between the pipes for numerous clubs at the CWHL level. During her playing career, she held the rare distinction of having played for three different CWHL teams in the Greater Toronto Area (of note, she stood between the pipes for the Brampton Thunder, Burlington Barracudas and Toronto Furies). In addition, she was also a member of the Boston Blades during their inaugural season. Quite possibly the greatest milestone in her career at The Hockey News was the op...

Although a silver medal was not how Sarah Davis envisioned the outcome of her first participation in the IIHF Women’s Worlds, a golden moment provided her with a redeeming and highly satisfying personal milestone. While she made national news as the first competitor from Newfoundland to participate on Canada’s national women’s hockey team, the native of Paradise, Newfoundland now has a new accolade to complement her athletic achievements. Recognized in a local ceremony, a street in Paradise proudly carries the new name of Sarah Davis Way. Joined by friends, family and fans alike, all eager to share in her jubilation. Humbled yet honored, Davis recognized many who helped her along the way, especially her parents. Of note, some of her first hockey experiences involved skating on a backyard rink constructed by her father. A handful of political officials were also present, including Mayor Dan Bobbett, Member of Parliament Jack Harris and Transportation Minister, David Brazil. ...

After suffering a heartbreaking (yet historic) loss to the upstart Clarkson Golden Knights in the championship game of the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four, it would prove to be a very long offseason for a very proud Minnesota Golden Gophers program. Having earned a national title as a freshman in 2013, Hannah Brandt’s aspirations for a second straight title were dashed.  With the absence of Amanda Kessel during the 2013-14 season (due to the Sochi Winter Games), it only compounded the impact of the losing. For Brandt, the responsibility of leadership and the need to anchor the team’s offensive attack, runner-up was not the desired outcome at the Frozen Four. Also finishing as the runner-up in voting for the 2014 Patty Kazmaier Award to Clarkson’s Jamie Lee Rattray was another blow that added to the disappointment. Heading into the 2015 edition of the NCAA playoffs, the level of pressure was greater than ever for Brandt. While there were many significant milestones during her junior ...

Since the first week of March, the transition from winter to spring has brought with it a memorable time in the history of American women’s ice hockey. Second generation star Alex Carpenter led the way by establishing herself as a true superstar. Her memorable month would culminate with gold at the 2015 IIHF Women’s Worlds in Malmo , Sweden . Quite possibly the greatest player in the history of the Boston College Eagles program, she was joined on the US roster by the likes of Hannah Brandt and Brianna Decker in Malmo . Of note, Brandt and Decker would add to their own legacies during March 2014. Earning CWHL Rookie of the Year honors, Decker continued to dominate in the postseason as the Boston Blades captured their second Clarkson Cup. With the absence of Amanda Kessel, Brandt would carry the offensive load, leading the Minnesota Golden Gophers to their record-breaking sixth NCAA Frozen Four title. Joining Carpenter in Malmo , all three would contribute to an emotional 7-5 ...

With the abundance of reality shows featuring women of wealth and glamour, it would be easy to dismiss the new series   Hockey Wives: Married to the Game   as another clone. Instead, viewers are treated to a group of strong women that go beyond the trophy wife stereotype. The demeaning term Puck Bunny certainly does not apply here, as many of the wives and girlfriends in the program have their own careers. By season’s end, viewers and cynics alike will be able to determine if this program is more documentary worthy than the reality shows which show decadent lifestyles and narcissism beyond reproach, where jealousy and resentment lead to the claws coming out. So far, there have been no such catty displays. There are certainly no extravagant lifestyles or excessive shopping sprees in this program. Yet, a scene in the inaugural program certainly indicates that a pecking order exists among the group of wives and girlfriends.   Said group gathers at the house of Nicole ...

In the aftermath of the 2015 Clarkson Cup postseason, the Brampton Thunder suited up for one more game, bringing an official close to their season. Competing in a very special match in front of their hometown faitful, the Thunder faced off against a group of NHL Alumni as part of an ongoing tour sponsored by ScotiaBank. Travelling to various arenas in order to raise funds for charity, funds were raised for the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch run for the Special Olympics . With legendary hockey dad Walter Gretzky as the NHL Alumni’s head coach, Brampton ’s Powerade Centre served as the backdrop for this fun close to Brampton ’s season. Joining Gretzky was trainer Joe Sgro, while son Brent Gretzky, who spent two years with the Tampa Bay Lightning was among the pros on the NHL Alumni roster. Former Toronto Maple Leafs competitors were aplenty on said roster. Among them were the likes of Dan Daoust, Bill Derlago, Al Iafrate, Mike Pelyk (the oldest player participating), Rick Vaive, Mark...

When the first IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championships were contested in 1990, the star player for the United States was Cammi Granato. For a generation, she would become an ambassador for the game, inspiring a new group of young girls to take up the sport. Among her greatest accomplishments, she led the US to the gold medal at the inaugural Winter Games women’s ice hockey event in Nagano 1998. Becoming the first American women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Fast forward several years and a new a new face in American hockey is ready to emulate her successes. Kelsey DiClaudio may very well be destined to have the same impact as Granato, adding a new dimension to the women’s game. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, women’s ice sledge hockey shall be a demonstration sport. With the US program having earned the gold medal at the inaugural IPC World Sled Hockey Challenge in 2014, it creates a strong sense of momentum that a golden finish is possible in 2018. Taking into a...