Canadian Major Junior Team Drafts a Female Goalie
It must be a proud moment for this young woman and her family. 15-year-old Morgan Stickney has become the first ever American female to be drafted into the Western Hockey League, and just the second in the league's history.
The Portland Winterhawks Select
With their 10th round selection in the 2023 WHL draft, 215th overall, the Portland Winterhawks picked Stickney from the Shattuck St. Mary's 16U team in Minnesota. Chloe Primerano, a blueliner, is the first to get drafted into the WHL. She was selected 286th overall by the Vancouver Giants last year. Shannon Szabados is the only female ever to take part in a WHL game, tending goal for the Tri-City Americans in 2002.
If Stickney plays, the Winterhawks will not be the first team Canadian Major Junior team to have a female goaltender participate in a game. Three have done so in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the first being Manon Rhéaume in the 1991-92 season.
The Stats Don't Lie
In 33 games played last season, Stickney boasted a 1.52 Goals Against Average, and a .928 Save Percentage.
| POLL | ||
How long before a female takes part in the regular season NHL game? | ||
| 5 to 10 years | 61 | 23.6 % |
| 11 to 20 years | 17 | 6.6 % |
| 21+ years | 13 | 5 % |
| It will never happen | 168 | 64.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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