The world of women’s hockey has come together for the unveiling of a new exhibit at the Hockey Hall of Fame that celebrates the history of the sport.
Legendary players Angela James and Jayna Hefford put the finishing touches on the exhibit Tuesday morning, placing trophies named after them in a display case at the hockey shrine in downtown Toronto. James, general manager of the Premier Hockey Federation’s Toronto Six, and Hefford, an operating consultant for the Association of Professional Women’s Hockey Players, may have different visions of the sport’s future, but the importance of a new showcase I agree with you about sex.
James, one of the first two women to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010, said, “We’re coming together to raise awareness and improve the women’s game. Yes, they are an association.”
Hefford, a 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, said he sees PHF as another way to grow the game.
“We’re staying in the women’s game. We’re creating opportunities for women and more opportunities for women,” Hefford said. “I don’t see a problem with competition. I don’t see a problem with having different visions of the future.”
PHF has seven independent teams in Boston, Buffalo, Connecticut, New Jersey, Minnesota, Montreal and Toronto. These teams travel to play against each other on a weekly basis. The Toronto Six won his March 29 Isobel Cup over the Minnesota Whitecaps as he won 4–3 in overtime.
The PWHPA tours North America, with four teams bearing the names of major sponsors playing multiple games at one venue over the weekend. Team Harvey defeated Scotiabank 5–4 in the association’s championship game on March 12.
Team Canada’s Sarah Phillier (left), Angela James (second from left), HHOF 2010, Toronto Six GM, Jaina Hefford (second from right), HHOF 2018, PWHPA President, holding the trophy at the Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame Team Sweden’s Anna Shervin poses Tuesday, April 4, 2023, The Hockey Hall of Fame opened an exhibit dedicated to the pioneers of the women’s game, who chronicled an incredible journey spanning more than 130 years. Over 100 artifacts will be installed to tell their stories.Canadian Press/Nathan Dennett
James and Hefford hoped the Hall of Fame’s new exhibit would inspire young girls to take up hockey.
“Our game has a lot of history that people don’t know about, and we’re still making history,” Hefford said. “As people learn more about the sport and get excited about the history of the sport, that’s how it engages more people and makes people want to be involved and be a part of it.”
James agreed.
“The Hockey Hall of Fame is so inclusive, and it’s pretty amazing to be able to cover and celebrate all leagues, all associations, all women’s hockey from the 1930s to the present day. That’s it,” said James. “We all sign up for women’s hockey to improve our game, and I think this is pretty special.”
Exhibits include nearly 100 artifacts from over 130 years of women’s hockey history. Highlights include the Clarkson Cup, Abby Hoffman Trophy, Jaina Hefford CWHL MVP Trophy and CWHL Top Scorer Angela James Bowl.
A spokesperson for the Hockey Hall of Fame said it planned to add an exhibit in early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic has derailed those plans. With public health restrictions easing, the exhibition’s debut coincided with this week’s Women’s Hockey World Championships in nearby Brampton, Ontario.
Players representing Canada, Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic were in attendance as the tournament kicked off on Wednesday.
Sarah Phillier, a Canadian women’s team forward who grew up in Georgetown, Ontario, said, “I was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame with the men’s team when I was 10 years old. It’s always been about the Stanley Cup NHL players. “So I can’t imagine being a young girl playing hockey right now and being here and looking at the history of women’s sports and being really inspired.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 4, 2023.
