The PWHL makes me feel seen and inspires me to become a sports archivist

This First Person column is the experience of Sali Lafrenie, who lives in Ottawa. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ .

"Game 1. Day 1. Season 1." 

That tagline replays in my head whenever I think back to New Year's Day and the inaugural PWHL game between Toronto and New York. Even though I was visiting my family in Regina, I knew I couldn't miss the game. It was a historic moment in hockey and I wanted to be a part of it, no matter how many kilometres separated me from that arena in Toronto. 

While my uncle was in the kitchen cooking the big meal and the rest of the family did their own thing, I had the big screen TV all to myself. It was perfect. I curled up on the couch and turned the volume up until it filled the living room. Across the screen flashed scenes of fans piling into the arena with bright purple and grey hats and little kids with signs that read, "In our PWHL era." 

Before I knew it, the announcer introduced the athletes. When they called Sarah Nurse's name, it felt like time stopped. I couldn't take my eyes off of Nursey. Her makeup, her curly hair. I took it all in. I remember thinking, "Wow. She looks like me. There's a pro hockey player who looks like me."

And ever since then, I've been down bad for the league. Not just the players but the community and the analysts around them, too. 

Growing up, sports were always an important part of my life and my identity. I was two when I received my first soccer ball from a family friend and began swimming shortly thereafter. As I got older, my love for sports also grew, especially for sports like three-pitch softball and ultimate frisbee. Of all the sports I played, I loved field hockey the most. 

But as much as I