Report : Female Players Could Soon Be A Reality In The NHL

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Austin Kelly
September 3, 2023 (3:59 PM)

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Women's Hockey had taken monumental steps in development and growth, and while the foremost goal is to bring Women's Hockey to a competitive standpoint, the dream still exists for the NHL's first female player, and it appears the potential for such an idea could happen in the near future.

Potential For Female NHLers

The idea of a female player is controversial in Hockey circles, with many proponents urging that if a female player is to arise at the level where she clearly has the talent to play in a men's league, then she should have the ability to do so, regardless if it's the NHL or not. Some have raised concern over the physicality of men's Hockey, and potential safety risks of smaller female players in competition against men. In recent years, it has become more common for girls to play either the boys in youth Hockey, developing them the same as one another, although it is rare for female players to go beyond, although one idea gives a good option on this front.

Many on both sides are in agreement that perhaps the best path for a female player in the pros is through the net, where a Goalie is less likely to be injured due to the more physical play, although female Goalies are shorter, a female player would have to be both talented along with good size. Ian Kennedy, in an article for The Hockey News, argues that one path could be through female Goalies playing as EBUGs, or emergency backups.

The argument for Female EBUGs

Kennedy's article argues that with an abundance of female Goalies without a home due to the dissolution of the PHF, and players may be looking for other opportunities without playing in Europe. A professional Goalie would be of interest as an emergency Goalie, seeing as the most famous example is David Ayres, a Zamboni Driver, and Scott Foster, an Accountant.

While some teams turn to beer league insurance agents, construction workers, or equipment managers, the option of professional women's hockey netminders who have stayed sharper, and in better shape in recent years will become increasingly enticing to clubs this year.

One named mentioned is Finnish Goalie Noora Räty, who already has experience playing men's Hockey, having played for men's teams in Finland's 2nd and 3rd Divisions, with decent results. The biggest downside is Räty's height of 5'5, making her chances of being a consistent Goalie in more competitive Men's Hockey unlikely.

Ever since Manon Rheaume played a preseason game for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, there has not been a female player in Hockey, but there are no doubt a few women who have been able to play levels of men's Hockey, and we could be close to seeing it in North America in the near future.