Women's hockey getting the reception and treatment it deserves

On the first day of 2024, I was sitting on my sofa watching hockey. When I say this, it might not come across as impactful as I intend, because what I mean to say is I was sitting on my sofa watching a Women's Professional Hockey Leaguegame.

After much ado, the puck dropped magnificently for the PWHL, like an opening leading us to a new galaxy from which new stars will be born. 

I didn't expect to get emotional watching Jayna Hefford, the league's vice-president of operations and a Hockey Hall of Famer, do the ceremonial puck drop with sports legend and PWHL advisory board member Billie Jean King. I didn't expect any of that to make me emotional as tears welled in my eyes.

When Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull hugged New York captain Micah Zandee-Hart, the tears spilled. I don't know if it was the camaraderie between opponents, or that that moment symbolized a foundation of stability within the greatness of women's hockey. All I know is I was sniffling into my hijab.

WATCH: What we learned from the 1st week in the PWHL:

I covered the CWHL (which shuttered in 2019) and the creation of the PWHPA. I watched NWHL (which later became PHF) games on Twitch and connected with sports writers and avid fans online. When the PHF expanded to Toronto I welcomed more women's hockey with the Toronto Six. I had high hopes for the growth of hockey and the rebirth of a less toxic type of hockey that I was accustomed to from the men's game. 

This isn't to say that the PWHL won't have its bumps. It will. As much as I advocate for equal opportunity and pay equity, I am also a sports journalist. It is my job to ask questions that hold people accountable. 

Hockey has a deep history in this country and we know what a turbulent time hockey has