Less than two years ago, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) had zero fans. Why? It didn’t exist, not until late 2023. But on Jan. 12, Ball Arena hosted over 14,000 to watch the Minnesota Frost beat the Montreal Victoire.
It was part of the PWHL’s “Takeover Tour,” and its all-time highest attended game.
“To finally have an established professional league is a dream come true,” Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley (#29) said. “I think we do a great job of fan engagement and we understand how important it is to do this to grow the game and we have lots of players that are passionate about connecting with the community.”
Though the game was evenly matched through two periods, the Frost took charge in the third. Two goals from defenseman Maggie Flaherty (#19) and forward Michela Cava (#86) gave the Minneapolis squad, who were playing it as a home game, the victory.
Teams and players from girls’ hockey leagues around the Denver area were a huge demographic in attendance. One of which was junior Sue Bosier, captain and goaltender of the Creek girls’ team.
“Young girls can finally see people like them at a high level on the ice and have it be a big thing,” Bosier said. “This was finally a chance we had been waiting for our sport to finally have a spotlight.”
Senior Bel Perez is a long time fan of the Colorado Avalanche, but this was her first opportunity to support a women’s league.
“With the time I’ve spent watching hockey, it’s always been the boys. NHL, American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, International Ice Hockey Federation World Juniors, all men’s leagues because that’s all they ever broadcast on TV,” Perez said. “Seeing how many people were interested in watching women’s sports made me so excited for the future that women would start to get more equal opportunity.”
Hensley hopes the organization can be successful in inclusivity as teams bring women’s hockey around North America.
“Young girls can actually attend games…and the games are easily accessible on YouTube for girls not in [hosting cities],” she said. “It’s important for girls to be able to see what is possible now. Not just every four years at the Olympics, but day in and day out.”
According to Hensley, the league includes everyone in the dream of playing pro hockey. “We just want to grow the game,” she said. “We love playing hockey and want everyone to fall in love with the game.”
With possible league expansion on the horizon, Sunday’s game had the crowd chanting “we want a team” in support of a Denver squad. The moment went semi-viral on social media as well, garnering even more support for the creation of a Denver team.
“Denver is a huge sports town that can’t be taken lightly, the city would cherish and love their PWHL team, I’m very sure of it,” Perez said. “Breaking a U.S. attendance record at 14,018 people at Ball watching an off location game says a lot.”
It wouldn’t be the first women’s team to expand to Denver in recent years, with the city winning the bid for a National Women’s Soccer League just this month.
“I would love to see a team in Denver,” said Hensley, for whom the Victoire matchup was a homecoming to her native city. “It would be cool to launch a new women’s soccer team and hockey team around the same time.”
For Perez, the league and its popularity signify a bright future for women’s sports.
“[Female athletes can play] for a professional team with a sea of fans standing behind them and cheering them on,” she said. “The league’s message of inclusivity is really grasping a hold onto people. They are an inspiration for not just the girls of today but also are an inspiration of showing what the future can hold.”
