Regardless what color jersey Jessie Eldridge is wearing, seeing her pink scrunchie out the back of her helmet has become an expected tradition. It's one that Eldridge brought with her to her new team in Boston this week.
Jessie Eldridge skated onto the ice for the Boston Fleet on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after being traded from the Seattle Torrent.
The forward wore number 18 and a distinct pink scrunchie.
Wearing a scrunchie is nothing new for those who have seen her play before. For Boston fans getting to know Eldridge, however, the bright hairtie stood out—as did her debut.
In a November 2025 interview, Eldridge explained why she wears the hair tie.
“There’s a story behind that. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, and during her chemotherapy, she was up late hours at night, and actually started making scrunchies. That year she couldn’t come see my games, but a way to keep her with me on the ice was wearing the pink scrunchie, and it’s just become our thing.”
Now, as a member of the Fleet, Eldridge brought this tradition with her, wearing the pink scrunchie in Boston’s 2-0 loss to the Toronto Sceptres.
Her mom beat cancer in 2020 and has been cancer-free since.
Her arrival in Boston was a whirlwind: Eldridge flew in at 9:30 in the morning, and was on the ice, dressed and starting for the Fleet, by 7 pm that same day.
The 28-year-old has been in the league for three years, starting with the New York PWHL team, which became the New York Sirens, before joining the Seattle Torrent for her third season.
Eldridge was traded to Boston for Theresa Schafzahl in the second trade of the 2025-26 PWHL season.
The Fleet have 10 games left and currently sit atop the PWHL with 39 points.
Looking ahead, Eldridge will have the opportunity to face her former team when the Fleet plays Seattle on Saturday, March 21.