Carly Jackson dressed for the first time with PWHL Toronto on Wednesday, and it happened to be Pride night. It was an opportunity for Toronto fans to celebrate one of the most beloved members of PWHL Toronto, and inclusion in the game.

Wednesday night was an important night for PWHL Toronto. It was a night not just celebrating the team clinching first place overall, but it was also a night celebrating Pride.

The stars aligned for the game as head coach Troy Ryan and the team welcomed to the bench the most universally loved teammate in the locker room, Carly Jackson, a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“It was special to dress tonight but it was even more special that it happened to be on Pride night,” said Jackson. “I think that women’s sports and women’s hockey has been a front runner for inclusivity and diversity and celebrating Pride. It’s such a strong theme from this league and the players, people involved behind the scenes and our fans; everyone appreciates diversity and the queer community. When you look up at the stands most of our audience is the queer community so being able to give some of that love back I think is a really special thing.”

The moment was well earned by Jackson as the veteran goaltender has played in four professional seasons between the NWHL and PHF leading up to the creation of the PWHL. This year, Jackson had to battle their way onto the roster as the third-string goaltender for Toronto. Ever since then, Jackson has been hard at work appearing in every practice for the team, putting in the effort with a smile and charisma you can feel from the stands. It’s something atypical to see in a third string goalie.

“It’s amazing, she’s been the best teammate you could ask for,” said Natalie Spooner. “She has put in work all season long, she just brings the energy and that contagious personality everywhere she goes and she brought it to our bench today.”

Despite not suiting up for a game until Wednesday, Jackson has amassed a huge fan club in the city through their love of hot dogs or “glizzy’s” as they like to call them and Jackson’s outgoing demeanor.

These same fans were out in force Wednesday night showing the goaltender love throughout the game. Many fans wore mullet styled wigs and made signs with a hole to make it look like they were wearing Jackson’s iconic hairstyle in order to show love for the team's biggest personality. Multiple times in the game the crowd chanted “We want CJ.” The final chant, after Emma Maltais' empty netter, was so loud you could hear the chant echoing throughout Mattamy Athletic Centre.

“It’s incredible, I have a special love for the mullets,” said Jackson. “I think it’s one of the most heartwarming, loving things I've seen anybody do and it makes me laugh. I just feel so appreciative. I'm feeling the love ten times over, and I’ve felt it all year, but today was special.”