By any measure, the popularity of girls hockey has grown considerably.
The sport has come a long way from the 1990s, when there were just over 8,000 girls and women playing hockey in Canada, many having to play on co-ed teams.
Now, according to Hockey Canada estimates, more than 89,000 girls and women are playing, and female-only leagues are available in every province.
For Brad Middleton, organizer of the Girls Come Try Hockey Event in Langley, the increasing interest is shown by the growing number of kids signing up for the Langley Girls Ice Hockey Association event, rising from from 30 in 2022, to a maximum 45 at this year’s sessions, held Sunday, June 9 at the Sportsplex ice rink, 20165 91A Ave.
Held annually at local ice rinks around Langley, “Come Try Hockey” invites girls of all ages from five to 17, to experience ice hockey first-hand. No previous experience or skills are required to participate in this event, and equipment is supplied.
While interest is increasing, there just isn’t enough available ice time to meet all the demand, Middleton told the Langley Advance Times.
“That is one of our main problems, not having enough ice time for all the kids,” Middleton observed.
“When I put out the flyers, if I was to do all of Langley at once, we wouldn’t be able to have a Come Try Hockey for all the girls that would register. We actually have to cap our Come Try Hockey at about 50, because we don’t have enough ice time. So we run at about maybe 75 to 85 per cent of [the actual number of interested] girls who come out.”
Founded in 2012, the LGIHA has grown to become the largest female ice hockey association in the Fraser Valley, with more than than 210 players and 15 teams as of last year.
“It’s amazing to see how the popularity has increased,” said Middleton.
It’s not just kids, either.
“I know a lot of moms [of players] off of our teams, they’re out and playing for the first time,” Middleton added.
“There’s female beer leagues now.”
In its vision statement, the non-profit LGIHA “envisions a world where every girl who dreams of ice hockey can lace up her skates and play the sport she loves. We see a future where female ice hockey players have equal representation, are valued for their skills and spirit, and are considered important sports contributors.”
More information about the association can be found www.lgiha.com.
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