Womens hockey looks to expand coverage and support as spotlight grows [Video]

More girls and women than ever are lacing up their skates and hitting the ice. The rising popularity of women’s hockey is driven by inspiration believes hockey coach Hanna Bunton.

“They always say, ‘if you can see it, you can dream it’ and I feel that applies for sure to women’s professional sports,” Bunton said.

In the 2023-2024 season a record 108-thousand women and girls were registered in hockey Canada programs, which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all participants, the highest in Canadian hockey history.

This milestone coincides with the launch of the professional women’s hockey league in 2024, marking a turning point, says Daniele Sauvageau, general manager of Montreal’s PWHL team, the Montreal Victoire.

“This is when we realize that this is now part of the sporting industry,” she said.

While teenage girls have historically drifted away from sports, hockey expert Daniella Ponticelli said she hopes that …