NHL and NHLPA Enhance Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee

The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association have relaunchd an enhanced Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee with ongoing development opportunities for coaches, increased investments in girls hockey programs via the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund and NHL Foundation’s ‘Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey,’ and special events in-arena across all 32 clubs.

The Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee’s members is led by new Committee Chair Lyndsey Fry. Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell this season became the first woman behind the bench at the NHL. In its fifth year, the NHLCA Female Coaches Program has more than 100 women, the largest membership in program history.

“Our 16 members and 15 advisors have extensive experience at all levels of hockey and we are excited to usher in the next wave of the Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee,” said Fry. “This wide breadth of knowledge on and off the ice will help this committee develop – and implement – action items for the next generation alongside the NHL and NHLPA’s continued investment into girls and women in hockey.”

The NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund supports all 32 cubs with grants to establish, or expand, hockey programs for girls and women. Participation numbers in Learn to Play (U.S.) and First Shift (Canada) programs continue to rise year over year, with girls representing 22% in the U.S. (compared to 20% the previous season) and 42% in Canada (compared to 38% the previous season).

“There continues to be a spectacular amount of growth in women’s hockey at all levels of the game, both on and off the ice,” said Kim Davis, NHL senior executive vice president of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs. “With the support of the NHL and its 32 clubs, young girls and boys are seeing more positive role models. Young women and men are learning about the different paths to hockey. And professional women and men are bringing their wide breadth of skills and experience to the game. This happens because of commitment, intentionality, and visibility.”

Last week during the 2025 NHL Stadium Series festivities in Columbus, the NHL Foundation U.S. announced the inaugural recipient of the ‘Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey’ to the Columbus Ice Hockey Club, which serves more than 3,000 girls and boys in Central Ohio each year.