Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly appreciate the quiet moments.
The ones off to the side, away from fans and media, where they get the opportunity to pick the brain of one of hockeyB次元官网网址檚 best-ever talents.
Hayley Wickenheiser joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in a player development role four years ago, and after a promotion within the department in 2021, the four-time Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 national team was named one of the clubB次元官网网址檚 assistant general managers in July.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 been awesome, somebody that IB次元官网网址檝e leaned on for advice,B次元官网网址� Matthews said at last monthB次元官网网址檚 NHL/NHLPA player media tour. B次元官网网址淭hat promotion B次元官网网址� she deserves it. Her knowledge and her experience brings lots to the table B次元官网网址� not just myself, but for prospects, for guys that are getting drafted.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 been through a lot in her career and has experienced a lot,B次元官网网址� TorontoB次元官网网址檚 star sniper added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 cool to get her perspective on different things.B次元官网网址�
Women have been hired in the NHL with increased regularity in recent years, but the game has seen a real push into positions of power over the last 12 months.
The Vancouver Canucks have a pair of female assistant GMs in Emilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato, the Chicago Blackhawks promoted Meghan Hunter, and the New Jersey Devils did the same with Kate Madigan. Angela Gorgone, during the 1996-97 season, is the only other woman to hold the role in league history.
ItB次元官网网址檚 taken some time, but the NHLers of todayB次元官网网址檚 game see an even brighter future for women.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 amazing, itB次元官网网址檚 good to see,B次元官网网址� Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann said. B次元官网网址淲omen deserve more opportunity.
B次元官网网址淎nd theyB次元官网网址檙e getting it now.B次元官网网址�
Other women brought on by NHL teams recently include former U.S. national team member Meghan Duggan with New Jersey, Canadian forward Rebecca Johnston with the Calgary Flames, and teammate Marie-Philip Poulin with the Montreal Canadiens.
Rielly said WickenheiserB次元官网网址檚 promotion to assistant GM was a no-brainer in Toronto.
B次元官网网址淎mazing experience in sport and extremely deserving,B次元官网网址� said the Leafs defenceman. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an awesome opportunity for her to prove that gender is not important. ItB次元官网网址檚 about if youB次元官网网址檙e capable of doing the job.
B次元官网网址淗ayley is extremely capable.B次元官网网址�
Matthews said having Wickenheiser, whoB次元官网网址檚 also a medical doctor and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, has been an important resource.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 very calm, cool, collected,B次元官网网址� said the reigning Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP. B次元官网网址淓asy to talk to and lean on for different things, whether itB次元官网网址檚 on the ice, off the ice, pressure. SheB次元官网网址檚 somebody thatB次元官网网址檚 been through a lot and has experienced quite a bit.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unique to have somebody like that within the organization.B次元官网网址�
The NHL has never had a female GM or head coach B次元官网网址� the Washington Capitals hired Emily Engel-Natzke as the leagueB次元官网网址檚 first female assistant when she joined Peter LavioletteB次元官网网址檚 staff this summer B次元官网网址� but as the sport moves forward, it feels like that time is coming.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a cool moment,B次元官网网址� New York Islanders centre Mathew Barzal said. B次元官网网址淗opefully IB次元官网网址檓 still playing when something like that happens.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淧robably not that far (off),B次元官网网址� said Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, before adding of Poulin: B次元官网网址淎wesome ever since she joined the organization. ItB次元官网网址檚 cool to just speak to her about her experiences. SheB次元官网网址檚 probably the best womenB次元官网网址檚 player and sheB次元官网网址檚 done so many things. ItB次元官网网址檚 great to just learn off her.B次元官网网址�
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the influx of women is good for the league.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 micromanage how our clubs conduct their hiring practices,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut we certainly encourage whatB次元官网网址檚 happening, and for more candidates to be considered, and for different candidates to be considered, and to be more inclusive in their approach. ItB次元官网网址檚 picked up a momentum.
B次元官网网址淚t seems like every morning I read about the next person hired who, five years ago, you wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have thought ever would have an opportunity. ItB次元官网网址檚 a positive thing for the sport, and I expect that itB次元官网网址檒l continue.B次元官网网址�
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes, along with younger brothers Jack and Luke, had a strong influence in the game growing up through their mom, former U.S. national team member Ellen Weinberg-Hughes.
He said gender shouldnB次元官网网址檛 matter when it comes where the jobs go.
B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e good enough for the role then youB次元官网网址檙e good enough,B次元官网网址� Hughes said. B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e credible and you do a good job, thatB次元官网网址檚 all that matters.B次元官网网址�
And Rielly said the list of qualified candidates is a lot longer than the six women currently occupying assistant coaching or GM roles across the NHL.
B次元官网网址淭here are tons of women that are capable,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗opefully there will be more opportunity out there.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址擩oshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
