The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association has recently announced its third 2021 partnership with a National Hockey League team. The Chicago Blackhawks will host 2021 Secret Dream Gap Tour games at the United Center on Saturday, March 6, and Fifth Third Arena on Sunday, March 7, as well as help market the showcase featuring the world’s best hockey players.
“Returning to Chicago builds upon past successes in women’s hockey at the United Center,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHPA operations consultant and 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. “Our athletes are excited to play at the United Center. More than the game, this partnership helps advance our mission of creating a sustainable pro women’s hockey league that showcases the outstanding skills of our athletes and allows young girls to dream just as the boys do today.”
“We are extremely proud for Chicago to be the only U.S. city to host the Secret® Dream Gap Tour games twice since PWHPA’s inception,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Chicago is the greatest sports town in the country, and we commend the many athletes who are breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of young women who take the game and the athletic world to even greater heights.”
The Chicago showcase takes place on the anniversary weekend of the first-ever all-female crew broadcast of an NHL game, which was presented by NBC Sports and took place at the United Center on International Women’s Day last year (Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues on March 8, 2020).
Comprised of approximately 125 of the world’s best hockey players, the PWHPA was formed to advocate for and advance equity, fairness and opportunity in women’s professional hockey. Specifically, the group’s goal is to create a sustainable league that pays a living wage to players, provides appropriate elite-level resources and invests in marketing that showcases the players and game.
“Unlike any other platform, NHL teams can elevate women’s pro hockey to the next level,” said Mary-Kay Messier, a senior advisor to the PWHPA and VP of Global Marketing for Bauer Hockey. “NHL teams bring infrastructure and community, which attract corporate sponsors who want to align with the equity movement in sports. A more diverse game is a better game, and by partnering, NHL teams help grow a key hockey segment, make the game more welcoming and gain access to powerful female role models.”
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