Women’s hockey is a sport that has been historically dominated by men, both on and off the ice. However, in recent years, more and more women have been climbing the coaching ranks, a key development in the future of women’s hockey. These women coaches not only bring their expertise and experience to the game, but also serve as role models and mentors for the young players who aspire to follow in their footsteps.
The Rise of Women Coaches in Women’s Hockey
According to a June 2022 study by the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, women’s hockey received a “D” grade for gender equity in coaching, with only 37 percent of its head coaches being female. This is a stark contrast to other women’s sports, such as basketball and soccer, where women coaches make up more than 50 percent of the workforce.
However, the study also noted that there has been some progress in recent years, especially at the collegiate level. For instance, in the 2022-23 season, 11 of the 41 Division I women’s hockey programs had women head coaches, up from eight in the previous season. Some of these women coaches are former players who have returned to the sport after their playing careers, such as Katie Lachapelle (Holy Cross), Courtney Kennedy (Boston College), and Laura Bellamy (Harvard).
These women coaches bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the game, as well as a unique perspective that can benefit their players. As Lachapelle, who played for the U.S. national team and won a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, said, “I think it’s important for young women to see women in leadership roles and to see women who have played the game at a high level and have been successful.”
The Challenges and Opportunities for Women Coaches in Women’s Hockey
Despite the increasing presence of women coaches in women’s hockey, there are still many challenges and barriers that they face in the male-dominated sport. Some of these challenges include:
- Lack of opportunities and resources: Women coaches often have fewer opportunities and resources than their male counterparts, such as lower salaries, fewer staff members, and less support from the administration. For example, according to the Tucker Center study, the average salary for a Division I women’s hockey head coach was $113,000, compared to $223,000 for a men’s hockey head coach.
- Stereotypes and biases: Women coaches often have to deal with stereotypes and biases that question their competence, authority, and credibility. For example, some people may assume that women coaches are less knowledgeable, less experienced, or less capable than men coaches, or that they are too emotional, too soft, or too nice to lead a team. These stereotypes and biases can affect how women coaches are perceived, evaluated, and treated by others, such as players, parents, officials, media, and fans.
- Work-life balance: Women coaches often have to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, such as being a coach, a parent, a spouse, a friend, and a professional. This can create a lot of stress and pressure, especially for women coaches who have young children or who want to start a family. For example, some women coaches may have to deal with the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, childcare, and family leave, while also maintaining their coaching duties and career aspirations.
However, despite these challenges, there are also many opportunities and rewards for women coaches in women’s hockey. Some of these opportunities and rewards include:
- Making a difference: Women coaches have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of their players, both on and off the ice. They can teach them valuable skills, such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and resilience, as well as instill in them a love and respect for the game. They can also inspire them to pursue their dreams and goals, and to overcome any obstacles or challenges that they may face along the way.
- Creating a legacy: Women coaches have the opportunity to create a legacy for themselves and for the sport, by breaking barriers, setting standards, and paving the way for future generations of women coaches and players. They can also contribute to the growth and development of women’s hockey, by increasing its visibility, popularity, and quality, and by advocating for more equity and inclusion in the sport.
- Finding fulfillment: Women coaches have the opportunity to find personal and professional fulfillment in their coaching careers, by doing something that they are passionate about, that challenges them, and that rewards them. They can also enjoy the camaraderie and friendship that they share with their fellow coaches and players, and the satisfaction and pride that they feel when they achieve their goals and see their players succeed.
The Future of Women Coaches in Women’s Hockey
The future of women coaches in women’s hockey looks bright, as more and more women are entering the coaching profession and making their mark in the sport. Some of the factors that are contributing to this trend include:
- Increased awareness and education: There is more awareness and education about the importance and benefits of having women coaches in women’s hockey, as well as the challenges and barriers that they face. There are also more initiatives and programs that aim to support and empower women coaches, such as the Women’s Hockey Coaches Association, the NHL Coaches’ Association Female Coaches Development Program, and the IIHF Women’s High Performance Camp.
- Increased representation and recognition: There is more representation and recognition of women coaches in women’s hockey, both at the national and international levels. For example, in the 2022 Winter Olympics, the U.S. women’s hockey team will be led by a female head coach, Joel Johnson, and a female assistant coach, Cassie Turner, for the first time in history. There are also more women coaches who are being honored and celebrated for their achievements and contributions, such as Digit Murphy, who was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022, and Cammi Granato, who was hired as the first female pro scout in the NHL by the Seattle Kraken in 2022.
- Increased diversity and inclusion: There is more diversity and inclusion of women coaches in women’s hockey, as more women from different backgrounds, cultures, and identities are joining the coaching ranks. For example, there are more women coaches of color, such as Nadira Clarke, who is the head coach of the Brown University women’s hockey team, and more women coaches who are openly LGBTQ+, such as Julie Chu, who is the head coach of the Concordia University women’s hockey team and the partner of former Canadian star Caroline Ouellette.
Women coaches in women’s hockey are not only changing the game, but also changing the world. They are showing that women can excel and lead in any field, and that they can inspire and empower others to do the same. They are also creating a more equitable and inclusive sport, where everyone can participate and thrive. They are the role models and mentors that the future of women’s hockey needs and deserves.
