Growing the Game: Women's Worlds Approach, NHLPA Boss on Pride and More

Growing the Game is Ian Kennedy’s weekly feature examining the global game, how social issues impact the sport, and how hockey’s important cultural shift continues to evolve.

New NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh dove into major issues facing the NHL and players in his first press availability this week. Not only were topics including the salary cap and Olympic participation involved, but Pride was also discussed.

As a lawmaker and former mayor of Boston, Walsh was socially progressive, naming Boston a ‘sanctuary city’ for immigrants, fostering green initiatives and working to better support those dealing with homelessness.

Walsh also took a stance in support of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights as a lawmaker and mayor. This week, while addressing the media, Walsh spoke for the first time about his stance related to Pride and the NHL.

“I’m personally supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, I always will be, and the more I get an opportunity to talk to people about this and learn more about it, I will,” said Walsh.

“But I think it’s people’s individual right if they want to wear a jersey…I don’t believe the LGBTQ community should feel NHL players are turning their back on them. The majority of players have worn the jersey. A super majority of the players have worn the jersey.”

Massachusetts, where Walsh served as a politician, was the first state in America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004 while Walsh sat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. When same-sex marriage was legalized federally by the US Supreme Court in 2015, Walsh spoke out, celebrating the decision.

“I am deeply moved by the news that the U.S. Supreme Court has made marriage equality the law of the land. This decision marks a milestone on our nation’s journey to become a more perfect union.”

Canada will host the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship from May 28 to June 4 in Moose Jaw, Sask. It will mark the first time a major international para hockey event has been played in Canada since the 2010 Paralympics and the first world championship for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team as the host team.

“World Para Ice Hockey is excited to bring the world championship to Canada for the first time, a nation that has had tremendous success in the sport, winning medals and helping grow the game,” said Michelle Laflamme, manager of World Para Ice Hockey. “This will be an opportunity for those in Canada and around the world to tune in and see the best our sport has to offer, with fierce competition and compelling storylines as we begin the next Paralympic cycle.”

Czechia, Korea and the United States will join Canada in Group A, with the top two teams earning a bye to the semifinals and the bottom two seeds advancing to the quarterfinals. The remaining two quarterfinal spots will come from Group B, with China, Germany, Italy and Norway competing.

The 2023 women’s World Championship is set to get underway on April 5, and the star power of the tournament will be on full display. Canada and USA will enter as favorites paced by players such as Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Fillier, Amanda Kessel and Hilary Knight. Canada will look to three-peat after winning gold in 2021 and 2022.

While the big two remain the favorites, other nations, including Sweden, Czechia and Finland have shown growth and are closing the gap. Czechia, who won bronze last year, returns with most of their medal-winning roster intact. They feature stars from the SDHL, NCAA and PHF, including Tereza Vanisova, who recently scored the overtime Isobel Cup-clinching goal for the Toronto Six.

Canada and USA will face off in the preliminary round on April 10. Medal round games begin on April 13.

Lulea won its second straight title in Sweden’s SDHL, eliminating Brynas with a 3-0 win in Game 3 of a 3-0 series sweep.

Jenna Pirttijarvi scored a pair of goals in the final, in what turned out to be a spectacular playoffs for Pirttijarvi. After scoring only five points in 32 regular-season games, she had 11 points in eight playoff contests. Petra Nieminen scored the other goal for Lulea.

Lulea captain and longtime Finnish national team leader Jenni Hiirikoski suffered a horrific injury in the second game of the final but was present to celebrate with her teammates after Game 3.

The 17th annual USA Hockey Disabled Festival is underway in St. Louis. A record 130 teams are competing from March 30 to April 2 and April 13 to 16 in what USA hockey calls “the largest disabled event of its kind.”

The event features several divisions, including for athletes and teams who are Blind, Deaf, Standing Amputee, Warrior and Special divisions.

As well, 72 sledge hockey teams will compete on the second weekend of competition in the USA Hockey National Championships.