Had salaries increased sooner, women's hockey would still be occupied by more stars from recent years, who have since hung up their skates. Here are 10 players who could still be playing today, if the world were different.
Had salaries increased sooner, women's hockey would still be occupied by more stars from recent years, who have since hung up their skates. Here are 10 players who could still be playing today, if the world were different.
When Kacey Bellamy returned to professional hockey this season singing a six figure contract with the PHF's Connecticut Whale, it sparked multiple questions.
First, it was who's next? Will any other retired women's hockey stars come back to the game?
And second, what if? What if the opportunity to be paid as Bellamy is had existed earlier? Who might still be in the game.
Susanna Tapani was the next name to come back. She'd taken a year off women's hockey to play ringette, but was lured by a contract offer from the Metropolitan Riveters.
All of the players below are no longer competing. It's a tremendous loss for the sport, and an injustice that can never be resolved, only repaired for future generations.
Here's a look at 10 players the world is missing in professional women's hockey.
Brianna Decker, 32 - An injury at the 2022 Olympic Games played a large role in this, but Decker is now the associate head coach of Shattuck St. Mary's and assistant for USA's U-18 program. It's unlikely she would be able to return to play given her role, but her ability, as one of the best in the world for a decade is undeniable. A three-time World Championship all-star, Patty Kazmaier winner, and two-time NWHL MVP, Decker is a Hall of Famer. Rehabbing from an injury is never fun, but in a world where the financial gain is great enough as it is in the NHL, Decker would have almost certainly returned. We'll never know what could have been.
Meghan Duggan, 35 - When the discussion of future Hockey Hall of Famers arises, Duggan is often at the top of the deserving list. The fact she hasn't played since the 2018 Olympic Games is an immeasurable loss for hockey. Seven World titles, an Olympic gold, three NCAA titles, a Patty Kazmaier Award, she's done it all. Serving as a Director of Player Development for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, and mentioned as a candidate for future general manager roles in the NHL, Duggan is not likely returning to the game. One can only wonder what could have been, and how legendary her career would have been, considering how legendary it already was. When the Hockey Hall of Fame evaluates nominees, this gap undoubtedly hurts women, but Duggan belongs.
Megan Bozek, 32 - At only 32, and having last played in 2022 with Team USA, Bozek could easily return to the game. Bozek won multiple NCAA titles, World Championship golds, she also played in both previous iterations of the NWHL and CWHL. Bozek was one of the best defenders in the sport for more than a decade and could still be playing professional women's hockey. PHF teams should be giving the defender a call, because she still has multiple seasons of quality hockey remaining in her career.
Meghan Agosta, 36 - She led the CWHL in scoring twice, was a two-time Olympic all-star and was named Olympic MVP once winning three gold medals. One of the best scorers to ever play the game, Agosta remains Mercyhurst's all-time points leader, and is working as a police officer. She hasn't played since 2018, meaning the world has missed five years of her on-ice greatness.
Florence Schelling, 34 - It's hard to believe Schelling is only 34. Former Olympic Games top goaltender and World Championship top goaltender, Schelling was one of the best in the world in international and league competition, and remains one of the best European players of all-time. Playing NCAA hockey for Northeastern she was the Hockey East Player of the Year on multiple occasions, and was the SDHL goalie of the year following her NCAA career. Since leaving the game following the 2018 season, Schelling has coached Switzerland's U-18 national team, and served as general manager of SC Bern. Seeing her play professional again in North American would have been a dream, and secured her early spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Haley Irwin, 35 - Another member of Canada's national team to leave the game following the 2018 Olympic Games, Irwin immediately jumped into coaching where she's served as an assistant captain for Toronto Metropolitan University ever since. She has a similar gold medal adorned history to the rest of Canada's long time national team members, and in another world, cold still be contributing at the professional level.
Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, 33 - Following recent revelations of transphobic support online, no one is calling for this return, but the duo, who were inducted to the US Hockey Hall of Fame this year, could still be playing had a financial option been available. With hockey working to become more equitable and safe for all, the Lamoureux's represent a time hockey is attempting to move on from.
Dani Cameranesi, 27 - To add an even younger player to this list, Cameranesi announced her retirement from USA's national team following the 2022 World Championship. The 27-year-old has many years left in what could be a lucrative career. There's still time for a comeback for the former Ms. Hockey in Minnesota, PWHPA member, and former Buffalo Beauts standout. Please come back Dani Cameranesi?
Gigi Marvin, 36 - She stayed around as long as possible, playing with the PWHPA until 2021-2022, but time ran out for Marvin. There's no doubt had a more competitive schedule been around, or had Marvin made the leap to the PHF, that she could still be playing. Retiring from professional hockey at age 35 is not abnormal, but for a player as decorated as Marvin, not seeing her as the profile of women's hockey grows, is a shame.