Halifax welcomes national women’s hockey team

The Rivalry Series between the Canadian and American national women’s hockey teams will give Haligonians an unprecedented window into the popularity of women’s hockey.

“There was no girl’s hockey where I came from,” said Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin Tuesday. “I had to play with guys until I was 15 . . . Yes you feel lonely, yes you wonder if there’s going to be an opportunity one day.”

Poulin was among a large group of Canadian teammates, coaches and fans who shared their enthusiasm for the event at a panel at the Light House Arts Centre on Tuesday night. 

The panel highlighted the growing popularity of the women’s game, as well as the ups and downs of a career in professional sport.

The Rivalry Series is an annual set of games between the two countries’ national women’s teams. It comes to Nova Scotia this year as women’s hockey booms, in large part due to the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) formation in 2023.

Jacqueline Roberts, one of the event’s 650 attendees, will be at Thursday’s game at Scotiabank Centre. Three games have been played in U.S. rinks and the fifth and final game in the series is Saturday in Summerside.

“I didn’t watch hockey growing up, but recently, especially with the PWHL, I’ve come to start watching and like it,” said Roberts.

“Being able to watch people I watch on TV every week in an arena close to my hometown is pretty special,” Roberts added.

Among the featured speakers were Nova Scotians Blayre Turnbull, an assistant captain of the team from Stellarton, and head coach Troy Ryan from Spryfield.

“This whole country is behind you,” said Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore during the panel. “Go give ‘er.”

In Nova Scotia, hockey has seen a 10 per cent increase in registration among girls since 2022, according to Hockey Canada.

“Hockey’s future is broader and brighter than ever before in Canada and Nova Scotia,” said provincial Heritage Minister Dave Ritcey.

The PWHL is a six-team league with three teams based in Canada. Games are broadcast on TSN, CBC and Amazon Prime Video.