Alina Muller, a prominent figure in women's hockey, continues to make waves in the sport as she participates in the Professional Women's Hockey League's (PWHL) 3-on-3 showcase game during the NHL's All-Star weekend in Toronto. This marks another milestone in Muller's already impressive career, as it is her first time competing in an NHL arena.
For the PWHL, this event represents a significant opportunity to gain exposure and showcase the talent of women's hockey on a grand stage. The PWHL, currently in its inaugural season, has been drawing an average attendance of nearly 5,000 fans per game. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even attended one of the games between Ottawa and Boston last week.
Muller, who previously scored the bronze-clinching goal for Switzerland at the Winter Olympics when she was only 15 years old, stands out as the PWHL's only non-North American player in the 3-on-3 showcase game. This highlights the league's potential for growth and the untapped talent available in Europe and Asia.
The showcase game brings together some of the best players in the world, both men and women, under one roof. In previous NHL All-Star events, women participation was limited to players from the U.S. and Canadian national teams. This year, however, the league takes a step forward by featuring the top professional players from around the world.
NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer expresses the league's commitment to supporting women's hockey and incorporating it into their signature events. All-Star Weekend has become a platform to champion women's hockey and create opportunities for female athletes. The inclusion of the 3-on-3 showcase game in the Thursday night schedule emphasizes the league's dedication to women's hockey.
The depth of talent on the ice is remarkable. Muller finds herself on Team King, named after league co-founder Billie Jean King, alongside notable U.S. stars Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield, as well as Canada's national team captain, Marie-Philip Poulin. Team Kloss, named after King's spouse and PWHL advisory board member Ilana Kloss, features leading scorer Alex Carpenter, Taylor Heise, and other prominent Canadian players.
The opportunity to coach against former rival and U.S. national team star Meghan Duggan is particularly significant for Cassie Campbell-Pascall, coach of Team King. Campbell-Pascall, a former Canadian national team player, highlights the vision that her generation had in the early 2000s for a professional women's hockey league. She expresses pride in how far the sport has come and the expectations that have been exceeded.
Renata Fast, a member of the Toronto PWHL team, is making her second NHL All-Star appearance. Encouraged by the opportunity to call herself a true professional, Fast acknowledges the collective effort to build the PWHL and the value of showcasing their hard work on such a significant stage.
Playing at Scotiabank Arena represents a major step up for Fast, as her home games typically take place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre with a seating capacity of 2,500. The PWHL, with all Toronto home games sold out, has decided to move a game to Scotiabank Arena to accommodate the significant demand.
Minnesota's goalie Nicole Hensley and her teammates currently benefit from playing at the Wild's Xcel Energy Center, the league's only NHL facility. They recently set a professional women's hockey attendance record with 13,316 fans attending their home opener against Montreal. Although attendance has declined since then, the fact that they hold this record demonstrates the existing interest and potential for growth in the sport.
Hensley anticipates the fast-paced offensive style of play that typically accompanies 3-on-3 events. As a goalie, she understands the challenges but believes that the fans ultimately appreciate the skill and excitement displayed by both players and goaltenders.
The inclusion of the PWHL's 3-on-3 showcase game in the NHL's All-Star weekend is a significant step forward in promoting women's hockey and providing a platform for talented athletes to shine. With each passing year, the hope is that women's hockey will continue to grow and improve on a global scale.
