Could we see the first woman in an NHL regular season game as early as this year?
In the last few minutes, journalist Ian Kennedy, on The Hockey News, published a very interesting article discussing the serious possibility of seeing a woman participate in an NHL regular season game.
This could happen as early as this season.
How is this possible?
It could involve a significant change in mentality regarding the EBUGs, the "Emergency Backup Goaltender" or emergency backup goaltenders (from NHL teams).
Almost every season, we see an arena employee, a goaltender coach, a Zamboni driver, or someone else, participate in an NHL game when both goaltenders of a team are injured during the same game.
We can think of David Ayres, Scott Foster, Jorge Alves, Thomas Hodges, Matt Berlin, and more recently, Jett Alexander (who finished a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs).
Kennedy notes that the majority of these goaltenders were largely underqualified and absolutely did not have the talent to play in the NHL.
However, starting this season, with the creation of the PWHL, numerous elite female goaltenders will be available.
We are talking about women who will be perfectly in "game shape" and who will be part of the elite. We are not talking about Zamboni drivers playing in "garage leagues".
They could become valuable "assets" for NHL teams in case of injuries.
PHF fans would love to see the world's best female goaltenders step in for NHL teams, if needed.
- Ian Kennedy
Credit:
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 9 | 198 ANSWERS Could we see the first woman in an NHL regular season game as early as this year? Who is the best goaltender, currently, in your opinion? | ||
| A CH employee or another | 109 | 55.1 % |
| Ann-Ren�e Desbiens | 89 | 44.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531078.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531009.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530954.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
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