HALIFAX – Thirteen-year-old Addie Keys was thrilled to watch some of her idols from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) take the ice in Halifax last month, sparking a wave of enthusiasm among fans advocating for a local team. Keys, who plays AAA minor hockey, had the opportunity to see star Blayre Turnbull, a Nova Scotia native, represent the Toronto Sceptres during a PWHL takeover series in December, which featured two sold-out matches in downtown Halifax.
“It was a really cool experience… to see the players from here and the coaches. It’s really inspiring to see them in our hometown and play a really competitive hockey game,” Keys said in a recent interview. Her mother, Caroline Mann, emphasized the importance of this exposure for young players, stating that the league provides girls with heroes to aspire to. “To be able to watch women who are doing exactly what Addie dreams of doing, knowing there is a pathway, it sends the message to all girls that you belong in this sport and there is a future here,” she said.
PWHL spokesperson Mandy Gutmann remarked on the vibrant atmosphere at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre during the games, which featured shoot-out finishes, highlighting the energetic fan engagement from beginning to end. “Selling out both games was amazing, but what really stood out was the atmosphere. The energy in the building was electric…and the connection between the crowd and the players was undeniable,” Gutmann noted in an email.
The games attracted notable attendees, including Canadian musician Anne Murray and author Rachel Reid, both of whom showed support for the league. Many fans displayed signs with messages like: “Halifax PWHL team when?” and “Future PWHL star right here.” “That kind of environment is exactly what we’re hoping to create when we bring the Takeover Tour to new cities, and Halifax absolutely delivered,” Gutmann added.
Keys, a gold medalist with Team Nova Scotia’s under-14 squad last fall, attended the PWHL game with her friend and hockey rival who traveled from Newfoundland for the event. Their friendship formed while playing on an Atlantic team together. Keys expressed how inspiring the PWHL is for her and her peers. “It’s just so cool to be able to turn on the TV and see women’s teams playing, and even cooler to get the experience to watch the players in real life too,” she shared.
Another fan, Ashley Beairsto, echoed this sentiment, saying, “It felt like there was something exciting happening. The energy felt like this (event) is a big deal.” She compared the experience to attending a Halifax Mooseheads’ hockey game, stating, “This was different… It was really incredible.” Beairsto remarked on the evident demand for a PWHL team in Halifax, citing the enthusiastic local support.
Gutmann further explained that the Takeover Series allows the PWHL to observe fan engagement in various markets, which informs the league’s considerations for future expansion, including potential opportunities in Halifax. The city was one of 11 involved in the series and one of five to host a second season game.
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore described the atmosphere as “absolutely electric” during the December PWHL game, acknowledging the growing interest from fans and the business community in women’s sports. However, he did not specifically commit to supporting municipal funding for a potential PWHL team, stating he is encouraged by discussions surrounding the future of professional women’s hockey in the region.
Katie Winters, 28, who has a background in various hockey-related sports, attended both games and described the level of play as highly technical and fast-paced. She expressed how such exposure to skilled women’s hockey would have inspired her as a younger athlete. A poignant sign she noticed in the crowd read: “For the girls who dressed in storage rooms,” highlighting the historical challenges faced by girls in accessing proper facilities for hockey.
Keys dreams of one day making it to the PWHL, inspired by the trailblazing athletes she admires. “It’s a really great inspiration; it proves to me how kids that were once my age can play at the top level,” she said. Her mother, Mann, expressed pride in the current visibility and momentum surrounding women’s hockey. “As a mom, you want your kids to follow their dreams and have role models along the way; the PWHL has made it a reality,” she concluded.
