NHL and NHLPA Enhance 'Women's Hockey Advancement Committee' to Support Growing Ecosystem of Girls and Women in Hockey

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NEW YORK/TORONTO (March 6, 2025) – The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) continue their commitment to support girls and women in Hockey with the relaunch of an enhanced Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee, ongoing development opportunities for coaches, increased investments in girls Hockey programs via the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund and NHL Foundation’s ‘Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey,’ and special events in-arena across all 32 Clubs.

 In its fifth season, the NHL and NHLPA Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee (previously known as the Female Hockey Advisory Committee) is ushering in a new wave of support for the growing ecosystem of girls and women in Hockey, with new membership and enhanced strategic pillars.

 The Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee’s members have a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in Hockey, including women from national governing bodies, youth Hockey organizations, NHL Clubs, and the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Led by new Committee Chair Lyndsey Fry, the WHAC is providing expertise-driven recommendations and driving innovative pilot programming that aligns with the group’s redefined strategic pillars:

 Grow and retain women and girls playing Hockey

• Enhance visibility and awareness of girls and women in Hockey

• Strengthen collaboration and support for NHL and NHLPA internal stakeholders

• Develop future women’s leadership in Hockey

“Our 16 members and 15 advisors have extensive experience at all levels of Hockey, and we are excited to usher in the next wave of the Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee,” said Fry. “This wide breadth of knowledge on and off the ice will help this committee develop – and implement – action items for the next generation alongside the NHL and NHLPA’s continued investment into girls and women in Hockey.”

This has been a historic season for women in Hockey with the debut of Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell, who became the first woman behind the bench at the NHL. The NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund financially supports the NHL Coaches’ Association Female Coaches Program, providing female coaches with skills development, leadership strategies, communication tactics, networking opportunities, and career advancement support. Now in its fifth year, the NHLCA Female Coaches Program boasts a membership of over 100 women, marking the largest membership in the program’s history. This season, they welcomed 34 new women to the program.

“There continues to be a spectacular amount of growth in women’s Hockey at all levels of the game, both on and off the ice,” said Kim Davis, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs. “With the support of the NHL and its 32 Clubs, young girls and boys are seeing more positive role models. Young women and men are learning about the different paths to Hockey. And professional women and men are bringing their wide breadth of skills and experience to the game. This happens because of commitment, intentionality, and visibility.”

Across the NHL, nearly 150 women work in Hockey operations, player scouting and development, player health and safety, and analyst roles. Women work in Hockey operations at every NHL Club. Six of them hold the highest position held by women in the NHL – assistant general manager of their NHL Club: Emilie Castonguay (VAN), Cammi Granato (VAN), Meghan Hunter (CHI), Kate Madigan (NJD), Alexandra Mandrycky (SEA), and Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser (TOR).

The NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund also supports all 32 NHL Clubs with grants to establish or expand Hockey programs for girls and women. Participation numbers in the Learn to Play (U.S.) and First Shift (Canada) programs continue to rise year over year, with girls representing 22% of participants in the U.S. (compared to 20% the previous season) and 42% in Canada (compared to 38% the last season). As well, NHL Clubs have been welcoming more women to participate in events and programs, providing opportunities for young girls and boys to see strong female role models. This effort is supported by the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund’s Girls’ & Women’s Ambassador Grants and Equity Fund.

Last week, during the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series festivities in Columbus, the NHL Foundation U.S. announced the inaugural recipient of the ‘Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey.’ The grant was established as an additional investment in girls' Hockey to reduce barriers to play and was awarded to the Columbus Ice Hockey Club (CIHC). One of the NHL’s ‘Hockey Is For Everyone’ programs, CIHC serves more than 3,000 girls and boys in Central Ohio each year. The organization provides year-round on and off-ice programming focused on health and well-being, academic support, violence prevention, and community service. Providing a grant to the CIHC was determined under the guidance of Kim Davis, President of NHL Foundations U.S. and Canada, and Haley Skarupa, NHL Foundation U.S. ambassador, U.S. Olympic gold medalist, and U.S. Women’s National Team head scout.

NHL Clubs are celebrating women in Hockey throughout the month with special in-game moments and ceremonies. Throughout the season, all 32 NHL Clubs have been recognizing and sharing stories of women who are making a positive impact on social media. To learn more, follow @NHLUnites on Instagram or visit NHL.com/Unites.

 NHL and NHLPA Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee

Members:

Kristen Bowness (Utah Hockey Club), Annie Camins (PWHL), Chris Campoli (NHLPA), Juliana Ciccarelli (Committee Strategic Director), Michael Diana (PWHL), Erin Forth (San Jose Sharks), Lyndsey Fry (Committee Chair), Matt Herr (NHL), Myrna Khan (Edmonton Oilers), Rob Knesaurek (NHL), Karen Ota-O’Brien (South Florida Women’s Hockey), Jennifer Moad (NHL), Sadie Lundquist (College Hockey Inc.), Katelyn Parker (Seattle Kraken), Michelle Runch (Consultant), Jessie Thompson (Washington Capitals).

Advisors:

Arielle Chambers (ESPN and Andscape), Annie Chipman (Winnipeg Jets), Susan Cohig (NHL), Maria Dennis (NHLPA and former committee chair), Laura Gentile (espnW founder), Marin Hickox (Hockey Canada), Ellen Weinberg-Hughes (USA Hockey), Sheri Hudspeth (Vegas Golden Knights), Erica McKenzie (Minnesota Wild), Mary-Kay Messier (Bauer Hockey), Molly Myhre (Los Angeles Kings), Dayton O’Donoghue (Dartmouth Women’s Hockey Player), Shelly Picard (Long Island University assistant coach), Kristen Sagaert (USA Hockey), Dale Williams (CCM).