Women's Hockey Booming In Boston

Boston is a hotbed for women's hockey, from the Beanpot to the PHF's Pride, the city is experiencing a women's hockey boom.

Women's hockey in Boston has been around for more than 100 years. Reports of women's hockey teams playing in Boston have been around since 1916-1917. A few years later, the fames Back Bay Hockey Club in Boston was formed.

In 1973, Boston College launched a women's hockey team, and shortly after, Boston University joined for the 1974-1975 season. Harvard was next, forming a team in 1978-79, and finally Northeastern did the same in 1980.

More than a decade since women first formed hockey teams in Boston, the game continues to grow in the region, both at the collegiate and professional levels. Not only is the city still home to four NCAA Division I programs, the PHF's Boston Pride also make their home in Beantown.

For many youth in Boston, including U.S. Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Kali Flanagan, one of the highlights of the year is watching the city's four NCAA teams battle it out for bragging rights at the annual Beanpot Tournament.

"When you grow up as a Boston kid, you always watch the Beanpot, whether that be the men or the women," said Flanagan. "For me being able to play in the tournament was just so much fun, and it's kind of the epitome of Boston hockey."

Flanagan not only plays professional hockey with the Boston Pride, she also won the Beanpot tournament as a member of the Boston College Eagles.

This year, as a sign of the growth of women's hockey in the city, the women's Beanpot will be moved to the same venue as the men's, at the Boston Bruins' home, TD Garden. The move is to accommodate the growing women's hockey fanbase in the city.

"Being able to have the Beanpot at the Garden and having that advertising, the same as the men, and having it out there TD Garden on the wall when you're coming across the bridge in Boston is just humongous," said Flanagan of the move.

Each of Boston's four major NCAA schools have won conference titles, with Northeastern holding dominance in recent years. 

Boston's fan base however, it growing in every direction when it comes to women's hockey. At the professional level, the Boston Pride play at Warrior Ice Arena, regularly filling the facility for their home games.

""Almost all of our Saturday games are sell outs, the crowds are great," said Flanagan. "A lot of youth teams come in, a lot of families...it's been awesome...Playing in Boston is so much fun."

“My first time I took the ice for the home opener, I was a little nervous, but it was really great to see all the fans in the stands supporting us,” said PHF MVP Loren Gabel, who plays for the Boston Pride.

“All those little girls and boys holding up signs for other players on the team, it’s just really great seeing all the support we get day in and day out from our fans, obviously we wouldn’t be where we are without their support.”

According to PHF chair John Boynton, the support in Boston, and New England for the Pride, has been growing, including as they relate to media rights.

“NESN down in Boston did five Boston Pride games this year, and they want to do the whole schedule next year,” Boynton told The Hockey News. "More linear visibility is going to help grow the game, grow the fan base, and help with our continued success.”

At the minor level, organizations like the Boston Jr. Eagles and Boston Lady Whalers are sending women on to higher levels, recreationally there's the Women's Hockey League of Boston, and the city is also home to other college hockey programs including UMass Boston and Suffolk University, both NCAA Division III teams.

Women's hockey is experiencing growth across North America, including in hot beds like Boston.