Ali Simpson was the only girl on her Yellowknife minor hockey team in the 1980s. Now, she’s helping to run a women-only tournament featuring more than 100 players.
The inaugural five-day Yellowknife Robins Women’s Hockey Tournament wraps up on Sunday with the final at 2pm.
Seven teams are taking part: five from Yellowknife (including one team of high school players), one from Hay River and one from Fort Smith.
Even excluding the travelling teams, almost 100 players are registered in the Yellowknife league this season, Simpson said.
“We have women coming out and joining our league who have never played before. They didn’t play as kids but they are deciding they want to try it out,” she told Cabin Radio.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“Some are even brand new to skating but they’re taking the risk, coming out, finding equipment and really falling in love with the sport, which is fun to see with their kids up in the stands, cheering them on.”
In the past, there would be a women’s division in men’s tournaments.
Karen Brown, the president of the Yellowknife Women’s Hockey Association, said the Robins tournament (Yellowknife Robins is named in honour of late local sports legend Robin Mercer-Sproule) represented the women “branching out.”
“With the PWHL coming on board it has excited the country, really. Over the years, we’ve definitely seen a growth in women joining this sport,” said Brown, who hopes next year’s event might expand further.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Karen Brown. Ehxea Antoine/Cabin Radio
Alex James. Ehxea Antoine/Cabin Radio
Alex James, playing in goal for Fort Smith’s team, described how a “beautiful save unfortunately might have taken me and my knee out of the game” on Saturday afternoon at the Yellowknife Community Arena.
James said the Yellowknife tournament adds to others held in places like Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Simpson, and the sport’s growth demonstrates the community fostering a positive environment.
“I’ve only been playing for about seven years – I was a figure skater before that. It’s super inclusive, super welcoming to everyone,” James said.
“We have a developmental program that invites players who’ve never played hockey before to come out and have fun,” said Nikita Gionet.
The association says that program was new for the 2024-25 season, offering a 20-minute coached practice before every league game to help players improve their basic skills and “skate alongside more experienced teammates in a supportive environment.”
Meanwhile, twice a month, the association offers a competitive game where “higher-level skaters can opt into a faster-paced game to hone advanced skills.”
Players in the inaugural Yellowknife Robins Women’s Hockey Tournament. Ehxea Antoine/Cabin Radio
Michelle Julian. Ehxea Antoine/Cabin Radio
“We’ve got tons of options for all different skill levels,” said Michelle Julian, who played on one of the Yellowknife teams this week after living in the city for the past five years.
Julian’s team had registered two losses and one win by Saturday afternoon. “I’m having a lot of fun,” she said.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
From 2024: Ali Simpson’s journey to elite women’s hockey
“A woman from Whitehorse came over, we threw her on a team and she’s getting to know everybody,” added Simpson.
“At this age and this level we want the competition, the exercise and all of that, but really it’s about fun and camaraderie.”
“Do it. Just do it,” said Yellowknife player Summer Desjarlais, asked what her advice would be to anyone interested in starting out.
“Hockey is so much fun and honestly, I probably wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for sports and hockey in general.”
Related Articles