New York defeats Toronto in inaugural PWHL game with Billie Jean King performing ceremonial puck drop
Ella Shelton scored the first goal in the history of the Professional Women's Hockey League in New York’s 4-0 win over Toronto. Find out why it "almost felt like an Olympics."
Ice Hockey
It was a historic moment for women’s ice hockey when New York and Toronto faced off in the inaugural North American Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) game on Monday (1 January 2024).
Tennis legend and women’s right advocate Billie Jean King performed the ceremonial puck drop alongside chairperson of the PWHL and four-time Olympic gold medallist Jayna Hefford in a sold out Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Canada.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner visited both dressing rooms before the game and read out the starting lineup inside Toronto's dressing room.
"It was one of the best moments I have ever had as a coach just seeing her come in and announce the starting lineup," said Toronto head coach Troy Ryan, who is also the head coach of Canada's national women's team.
"Seeing the emotion in the faces of our players when she announced their names it was an iconic moment from an icon. I've been part of world championships, club championships, Olympic Games and there was probably more emotion surrounding this one than any of those gold medal games,” he told Reuters.
New York defeated Toronto 4-0 in the game, with Ella Shelton, Alexandra Carpenter, Jillian Saulnier, and Kayla Vespa each scoring.
New York goaltender Corinne Schroeder earned first-star honours having saved all 29 shots that came her way in the victory.
The game marked a new era for women’s ice hockey.
“I think that was the game we were all waiting for. It almost felt like an Olympics,” Toronto’s Sarah Nurse told Sportsnet.
“Look at the attention — we’ve never had this attention, and I think that’s the most important part, getting people to see it,” teammate Emma Maltais added.
“Once people see it, they’ll respect our game so much more and once you watch one game you’ll be a fan, I think.”
Toronto and New York will face each other again on 6 January.
The PWHL consists of six teams: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Boston, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.