Athletes from the WNBA, UFC, NWSL, NHL, and Olympic athletes have all showed up early in the season to show their support for the growth of the PWHL.
Athletes from the WNBA, UFC, NWSL, NHL, and Olympic athletes have all showed up early in the season to show their support for the growth of the PWHL.
There's been no shortage of professional athletes from other sports and from men's hockey taking in PWHL contests this season.
While past and present NHL players including Marcus Foligno, Adam Graves, Patrice Bergeron, Alex Newhook, and Bryan Trottier have been seen at games, it's the support from professional athletes on the women's side that continues to grow across the PWHL.
Early in the season, Toronto welcomed UFC fighters Gillian Robertson and Jasmine Jasudavicius to a game. Both athletes were impressed with the play, and the support from fans. More importantly, both see it as another door opened for women and girls.
“The whole thing has been awesome,” Jasudivicius said in a UFC.com interview. “To see the girls on the ice put their heart into something that they love, it is exactly like us. The fans are into this, and it looks like a great night out. There are so many young girls here that are looking up to women to be their role models, and I would be honored to be one of those role models. The kids are here watching these girls play hockey and following their dreams; it is the best thing in the world.”
“Doing the puck drop was a little bit nerve-wracking, but being out here is so amazing, to see what they are doing and that they are opening the doors for women,” Robertson said. “It is like Ronda Rousey in the UFC; she opened so many doors for us and you see that happening here.”
They weren't the only athletes spotted at games or participating in ceremonial puck drops however. This week Boston welcomed Samantha Mewis, a former NWSL athlete and former US national team soccer player.
In Minnesota, Olympic gold medalist and WNBA All-Star Lindsay Whalen, along with current Minnesota Lynx player Diamond Miller dropped the puck at Minnesota's Xcel Energy Centre.
This week, the list grew again as Canadian Olympian and professional skate boarder Annie Guglia took in a PWHL Montreal game.
"I've just been obsessed with hockey recently...because of this league," Guglia said in an intermission interview.
"What I love especially is seeing all the little girls cheering so hard."
Guglia has been spotted at Montreal games this season sporting signs showcasing the growth of women's sport and the importance of the PWHL, including signs that have read "I'm here to support gender equity in hockey and to show young girls that their dreams to become professional athletes matter."
As the PWHL continues to grow, more crossover opportunities will continue to develop as men and women's professional athletes show their support for the league.