She Shoots, She Scores: The Growth of Girls Hockey in the Boston Area
Young girls participating in the new Warrior Girls Youth Hockey Skills program. Photo credit: Warrior Ice Arena.
Written By Josie Dinonsie
BOSTON — More than ever, girls’ hockey is seeing a surge in new participants. With the U.S. women’s hockey team taking home gold at the Milan Winter Olympics this month, those numbers are expected to rise even further.
Over the past 15 seasons, USA Hockey reports that girls’ hockey participation has increased by more than 65 percent. With professional women’s hockey formally launching in 2023, the game has become more visible and more encouraging for young girls across the country.
In the Boston area, that momentum is unmistakable. Development camps run by Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) players, including athletes from the Boston Fleet, along with hockey hubs like Warrior Ice Arena, are creating meaningful opportunities for girls in Greater Boston to pursue their hockey dreams.
The introduction of the PWHL has been a major boost for girls’ hockey, allowing young athletes to envision themselves competing at the professional level and drawing inspiration from players who look like them.
Over the past three seasons, the PWHL’s visibility has grown rapidly, with takeover games drawing record-breaking attendance at iconic arenas such as Madison Square Garden and the Bell Centre. The league also offers numerous opportunities for young girls who want to lace up their skates, including a variety of camps and clinics.
In partnership with USA Hockey, the PWHL hosts “Ready, Set, Skate,” a series of camps for players ages 5–10. The eight-week program is designed to create a fun, supportive learning environment for beginners. Participating teams include the Boston Fleet, Ottawa Charge, Minnesota Frost, New York Sirens, and Vancouver Goldeneyes.
“Ready, Set, Skate,” along with summer camps and school day-off clinics led by PWHL players and coaches, provides valuable resources for young girls looking to grow in the sport.
With the National Hockey League founded more than 100 years ago, girls waited decades for equal recognition in the sport. Today, young athletes can form realistic and attainable dreams of playing ice hockey as a career.
Élizabeth Giguère spoke about what it meant to her to support young girls at a summer camp hosted by the Ottawa Charge last year.
“I would have liked to attend a camp like this when I was young, but it didn’t exist back then,” Giguère said. “It’s so gratifying to see the excitement in the kids to be around us during four straight days on the ice. I realize a little more every day, the impact we have on these young girls.”
In Boston specifically, Warrior Ice Arena has established itself as a central hub for hockey development. As the practice facility of the Boston Bruins, the arena holds a prominent place in the city’s hockey culture.
Warrior’s Youth Learn-to-Play Hockey program is inclusive and comprehensive, covering fundamental skills such as skating, stickhandling, passing, and shooting. The rink also offers a Youth Hockey Skills Programs that provides targeted instruction in specific areas of development.
For a more immersive experience, Warrior hosts Seasonal Youth Hockey Camps that combine on-ice and off-ice training, giving players a well-rounded introduction to competitive hockey. Recently, the arena introduced Warrior Girls Youth Hockey Skills, a program designed specifically for girls ages 8–13. Participants have the opportunity to learn from current and former NCAA Division I women’s players, creating an inspiring environment led by female role models.
“With programs designed for players of every stage, Warrior Ice Arena creates an empowering environment for girls to learn, train, and thrive in hockey.”
Boston continues to expand opportunities for young athletes, reinforcing its identity as a major hockey city. Through professional-led camps and community-based programs, girls across Greater Boston are gaining access to resources that were once unavailable.
The sport is experiencing a cultural shift. With the launch of the PWHL, long-standing barriers in a traditionally male-dominated game are beginning to fall. As seen at Warrior Ice Arena and through partnerships with the Boston Fleet, Boston is embracing that change, supporting the continued growth of girls’ hockey and the next generation of players ready to take the ice.
