Boston - A Celebration of Growth in Women's Hockey
A.J. Mleczko, renowned for her Olympic triumphs, shared her golden memories with young hockey enthusiasts at TD Garden.
Mleczko, who struck gold with Team USA in 1998 and silver in 2002, now serves as an NHL analyst for ESPN. Her presence at the Boston Bruins’ eighth annual Girls Hockey Day was a testament to her enduring commitment to the sport.
Reflecting on the event, Mleczko expressed her joy: “Seeing all these kids out here now, you can just see the excitement and enthusiasm. It’s amazing. When they can see the women out there doing what they do, playing so well, pushing and making this game so much better, it fills me with so much joy.”
The day kicked off with a public skate for the Bruins Girls Learn to Play program, which has expanded across New England. The event also featured games between local female teams, highlighting the growing interest in the sport.
Elizabeth Viola, the Bruins’ youth hockey and fan development specialist, emphasized the importance of inclusivity: “It’s just a great experience getting girls and women of all ages out on the ice, and showing them that they can play hockey too. We take pride in growing the game.”
A significant moment came when Wasabi Technologies presented a $10,000 check to Dream Big, a nonprofit aiding girls and young women in sports. Linda Driscoll, founder and CEO of Dream Big, noted the impact: “This $10,000 will help us expand. With the increase in the interest in women's sports, so many more girls want to participate, but the cost has become a barrier.”
Team USA’s recent gold at the 2026 Winter Games has spurred a surge in female participation, with USA Hockey welcoming its 100,000th female player this season. This growth is mirrored by the rise of the PWHL and Boston’s own Boston Fleet, offering new role models for aspiring players.
Mleczko shared her pride in the sport's progress: “A lot of [the kids] said they’re going to be hockey players now that they watched Team USA win. That, for me, is when you actually see the tangible growth.”
Boston Fleet forward Sophie Shirley, alongside her Olympic medal-winning teammates, also inspired the young players. “To have the girls we have on our team do what they did at that international stage was amazing,” Shirley said. “Being a role model for these girls is huge.”
Shirley and her teammates will soon play at TD Garden against the Montreal Victoire, marking the first PWHL game at the venue, a sold-out event that promises to be historic.
Mleczko, a role model for Shirley, reflected on the changing perceptions of the sport: “You think now, these athletes don’t look at it as a boy's sport. They look at it as there’s boys hockey and there’s girls hockey. Hockey is for everyone.”
The day at TD Garden was not just about celebrating hockey but about inspiring a new generation of players who see the rink as a place for everyone.