Professional Women’s Hockey League game in Detroit chance to show 'hockey is viable career'
One remembers the crowd, the other was part of it. Now they're eager to create another memorable outing.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is returning to Little Caesars Arena, a year to the date a crowd of 13,736 set an attendance record for a professional women's hockey game in the United States. On Sunday, teammates Elle Hartje (Detroit) and Taylor Girard (Macomb Township) will lead the New York Sirens against the Minnesota Frost at 7:30 p.m. in what both see as a great opportunity to build for the present and the future.
"I attended that game last year, I was one of those people in the crowd," Hartje said. "I think that people are taking away that women’s sports, and women’s hockey in particular, are fun to watch. I think there’s been a really long, misunderstood narrative that people don’t like watching women’s sports, and that’s not the case at all. There just wasn’t any visibility.
"So by bringing the game to Detroit and allowing people to be able to watch women’s hockey at the highest level, I think we are able to break that stigma that it’s not like the men’s game, because it is. It’s physical, it’s the best players in the world, all coming together in one league. And the pace of play is amazing. So it’s that visibility and getting it in front of the right audience and going from there."
Hartje, 23, was a senior and the captain of the Yale women’s hockey team who was home in metro Detroit when the PWHL rolled into LCA in 2024. She attended the game with her sister, watching as Girard, then with the Boston Fleet, defeated the Ottawa Charge, 2-1, in a shootout.
"Last year was a lot of fun," Girard said. "It was the first time I was able to play in front of a lot of family and friends. People flew in. That was something that was really special for me. I’m looking forward to it again this year."
The game will be the second of a doubleheader of hockey Sunday at LCA, where the Detroit Red Wings host the Vegas Golden Knights at 1 p.m. Hertje, 23, played for Little Caesars hockey as a teenager, and one year, the team got its photo taken on the ice at LCA.
To return as a professional player wasn't even something she imagined possible as a child. And that's why it means so much to have so many people in the stands. (The U.S. attendance record now stands at 14,018, set Jan. 12 at a game in Denver).
"I think it’s really important to get the visibility to the younger generation," Hartje said. "When Taylor and I were growing up, there wasn’t really anyone like us to look up to. I mean, you can watch the Olympics every four years, but that was kind of it. I didn’t really know that there was such a vast network of amazing women’s hockey players until I started getting recruited for college and was able to watch the NCAA. And not everybody has that opportunity at such a young age. I think it’s important that growing up, in elementary school, through middle school, before you’re even getting recruited to college, that girls know that hockey is, a) a viable career, and b), there are so many other people like us playing."
Hertje admitted she'd likely have some "game day jitters" Sunday as she debuts at LCA. But for her, and for Girard, the magnitude of what they are doing is just part of the daily joy they take in their lives.
"Growing up, I never imagined I could be a female professional hockey player," Girard said. "When I was younger, I always said I want to play in the NHL. So this is something I never got to dream about. My favorite part is being able to show the younger generation that they do have someone to look up to and this is something they can strive for."
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on X @helenestjames.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit PWHL game chance to show 'playing hockey is viable career'
| 3d 12:51 PM ET ago |
-
PWHL sets U.S. attendance record in Detroit as part of Takeover Tour
The Professional Women’s Hockey League neutral-site game in Detroit between the New York Sirens and Minnesota Frost has broken the record for attendance at a pro women’s hockey game in the United ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Detroit draws 14,288 fans to watch PWHL game, setting U.S. record for pro women’s hockey game
The Professional Women’s Hockey League game broke the mark as part of its Takeover Tour of potential expansion venues at Little Caesars Arena, a year after 13,736 fans watched women on the same ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Sirens top Frost 4-1 in front of record crowd for women's pro hockey game in US
Paetyn Levis scored a tiebreaking goal late in the first period and Corinne Schroeder stopped 33 shots, lifting the New York Sirens to a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost on Sunday night. The game ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
New York Keeps Slim Playoff Hopes Alive, Detroit Shows Up
The New York Sirens kept their ever fading playoff hopes alive Sunday in Detroit with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Seattle Kraken Celebrate Women in Hockey Night.
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Kraken hosted the Utah Hockey Club on Friday and celebrated its annual Women in Hockey Night at Climate Pledge Arena. The event featured Kraken players arriving in ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Arizona State hockey thrives in loud, home environment, takes Game 1 vs Minnesota Duluth
The Arizona State Sun Devils hockey program began the NCHC quarterfinals with Minnesota Duluth at Mullett Arena on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Detroit shoots to boost its bid for PWHL expansion team, drawing record crowd for pro women's hockey
“PWHL DETROIT NEEDS A TEAM,” was printed on one side of the signs. The six-team PWHL may expand next season — in its third year — and is touring cities potentially on the list to get in the game. ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
College roundup: First period boosts Clarkson, St. Lawrence into NCAA women's hockey quarterfinals
Mar. 14—MADISON, Wis. — The Clarkson University women's hockey team scored two goals in the first six minutes en route to defeating Boston University 3-1 in an NCAA Division I Tournament ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
‘All Hockey Hair Team’ Creator Discusses Minnesota High School Tournament
Minnesota’s high school hockey tournament is a fashion show of mullets, perms and bleach. With his “All Hockey Hair Team,” John King chronicles the lettuce and flow.The New York Times - Mar. 10
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohtani hits solo HR in return to Japan, leading Dodgers' powerful offense to 6-3 win over the Cubs
Shohei Ohtani hit a solo homer in his return to the Tokyo Dome, Roki Sasaki threw three eventful innings in his big-league debut and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 on Wednesday ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Full injury report for Wednesday's Sixers vs. Thunder matchup
Full injury report for Wednesday's Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder matchup.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Alabama basketball guard Mark Sears named AP All-American for second-straight season
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears was named an AP All-American for the second-straight season Tuesday, receiving First Team honors.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Auburn's Johni Broome among NCAA Tournament's top south regional players
Auburn will look to its top player for guidance as the quest for an NCAA Tournament title begins.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Daniel Jeremiah predicts Commanders will select cornerback in latest mock draft
The Washington Commanders are poised to focus on defense in 2025 NFL draft as Daniel Jeremiah predicts a cornerback is selected at 29.Yahoo Sports - 11m
More in Sports
-
Fear the Dodgers? Six teams that can take down L.A. in 2025
We make the case for the biggest threats to MLB's preseason favorite.ESPN - 7m -
Ohtani hits solo HR in return to Japan, leading Dodgers' powerful offense to 6-3 win over the Cubs
Shohei Ohtani hit a solo homer in his return to the Tokyo Dome, Roki Sasaki threw three eventful innings in his big-league debut and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 on Wednesday ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Full injury report for Wednesday's Sixers vs. Thunder matchup
Full injury report for Wednesday's Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder matchup.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Alabama basketball guard Mark Sears named AP All-American for second-straight season
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears was named an AP All-American for the second-straight season Tuesday, receiving First Team honors.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Auburn's Johni Broome among NCAA Tournament's top south regional players
Auburn will look to its top player for guidance as the quest for an NCAA Tournament title begins.Yahoo Sports - 11m