Members of Canada and USA's U-18 teams discussed their excitement to watch the PWHL Draft and season.
There was a buzz at the Stoney Creek Showcase this weekend, not only among NCAA recruiters and national team scouts looking to mine their next gem. There was also buzz among the several hundred teenage women and their families about the launch of the PWHL.
Emma Venusio, who captained Team Canada's U-18 team at the Select Series this summer against Finland and the USA was one player in Stoney Creek who will be watching the PWHL Draft and season closely.
"I think it's great, I think the opportunity is great," Venusio told The Hockey News about the PWHL launching. "There's a lot of talent out there in women's hockey."
Venusio is among many women now dreaming of playing in the PWHL.
"It's obviously a goal, there's a lot of women in that league I look up to," continued Venusio. "There's a lot of great players and great people, so it's an exciting time."
The excitement for the new league was also evident among Finley McCarthy and Rose Dwyer who have both represented Team USA at the U-18 level, and were in Stoney Creek as members of Bishop Kearney Selects.
"It's awesome that women's hockey has grown so much, and seeing what the future will look like," said Dwyer. "It's amazing to look up to all these women, it's definitely a goal of mine."
McCarthy sees the news of the PWHL as bigger than hockey. She believes it's a moment for all woman.
"It's exciting news or all women, not even just in hockey, but in all sports. It's future exciting," said McCarthy.