For the first time ever, women's hockey was included in NHL All-Star events in 1997. Here's a look back at that time from the THN Archive.
In 1997, NHL all-star weekend included women's hockey. The game, held in Vancouver, involved a game between Team Canada and Team USA. Flash forward 27 years and the another instalment of the Rivalry Series is underway, and this year the PWHL will participate in the NHL All-Star week festivities for the first time.
“This is a tremendous showcase for women’s hockey,” said USA Hockey publicity director Darry Seibel at the time. “Especially with women’s hockey being a medal sport for the first time at the Nagano Olympics in February.”
The idea was the brainchild of USA Hockey. At the time, Canada had won every gold in major international events. That would change the following year when USA won the first ever Olympic gold medal in Nagano.
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