Cindy Curley, Pioneer For Women's Hockey To Be Inducted To Hockey Hall of Fame

A young girl growing up in Stow, Massachusetts, Cindy Curley never would have dreamed of one day being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame. 

“I always played for the love of the game. I love hockey, and I never really played aspiring for what was next, so I got to play in college. I was thrilled. 
And then when they started the world cup, I was, again, so thrilled. This would have never been in my wheelhouse” said Curley

Curley, only the 15th woman to be inducted into the Hall, was a major pioneer for women's hockey in the early days.

She was a member of Team USA for the unofficial Women’s World Championship in 1987 where the US would take home bronze, and prove to IIHF that the women wanted their own championship.

Three years later in the first official Women's World Championship, Curley would go on to set the records for most points in a single tournament (23), most points (9)  and goals (5) in a single game, and most points (6) and goals (4) in a single game. Records she still has to this day.

She’s also tied with greats and fellow hall of famers Angela James and Krissy Wendell for most goals in a single tournament with 11.

She would go on to captain Team USA for 2 more tournaments after her record setting tournament, helping the U.S. win silver in all three championships.

In addition to her world championships, she helped the U.S. earn the silver medal at the IIHF Women's Pacific Rim Championship in 1995.

Being one of few women inducted to the hall, Curley praises the women before her, and encourages the next generation to keep growing the game.

“I'm just excited to see the future women being inducted, and, obviously, Cammy and some of the great plays, Angela James, that came before me, and were already inducted. It's just great that they've opened a space for women, and there's so many deserving women, and I look forward to seeing them in the future here.”

For Curley, this induction class is special. Growing up in Massachusetts, she was an avid Bruins fan and still is. Being inducted alongside Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron, Curley says, is special.

“I love the way he played. My whole family enjoyed watching him play. He played with such class. I'm just so proud to be inducted, with all of them, but Patrice definitely is a little special.”

As an alum of Providence College, Curley also shares a connection with fellow inductee Brian Burke. 

“Brian's been to province, like, I did, and he's been a great mentor to me, so it's just very special [to be inducted with him]”

Curley’s induction on Monday will mark another pioneer in the hall of fame alongside greats like Cammi Granato, Natalie Darwitz, and Angela James.