Highlighting Gender Equality in Hockey in Our Community

As a part of the NHL's celebration of Gender Equality in Hockey, we wanted to highlight a woman in the sport of hockey in our community. We had an open conversation with Emily Wilde, the girls hockey coach at Holton-Arms School about girls hockey development and growth in the DMV.

(On how she got into hockey)
My dad grew up playing hockey in Canada and then in Buffalo NY. We were always Caps fans so I was exposed to the sport at a young age! I started skating on hockey skates when I was 4 or 5 and then started playing hockey when I was 8. Since it is such an expensive sport, I remember having to give my dad a list of reasons as to why I should play. And I had to promise that I'd stick with it. I think we got a good return on investment! I played for around 10 years. I played for Holton for 8 years. When the program was first starting, they let 5th and 6th graders play in the "middle school" level games. I played Holton varsity hockey for all of high school. I played in a few pick up/ club games in college.

(On playing what has been stigmatized as a male sport)
I don't think I necessarily felt isolated by the fact that it was a boy specific sport, I think I felt "cool" for playing a boys sport. I went to Holton and started playing hockey with other Holton girls in 4th grade when a Holton parent (Ned Hengerer, who ended up being the Holton varsity coach) wanted to start a program. I remember going to summer camps that were mostly boys and I didn't really like going to those camps unless I knew I had another girl friend who was going too.
(On the transition from playing hockey to coaching)
I've always wanted to be a teacher, so when Holton needed a hockey coach it seemed like a natural step. Sports were my favorite part of high school and college (I was on the crew team in college). I now teach at Holton and coaching hockey is genuinely my favorite part of the day.

(On the most fulfilling part of coaching youth girls)
I love seeing girls try the sport for the first time. I try not to turn away players just because they've never skated before. There are so many girls who don't see themselves as particularly athletic or as someone who's a "sports person." Especially girls in middle school. I love when younger girls try out the sport and then end up loving it.
(On how much have she's seen the stigma around the sport in regards to gender change)
Girls hockey in the DMV has grown so much. We used to have to go up to Pennsylvania and New Jersey to play other girls teams. That's not the case now! I also think that boys are starting to see girls from our area go to college for hockey or make all MET first team for hockey, and they're starting to realize that a lot of our high school girls can play better than the boys. I was named all MET in high school and I remember going to the luncheon when I was a senior and when all the hockey players were recognized, two boys looked at me and asked "why is she here?" I don't think that would happen now.
(On any words of encouragement for girls that want to play hockey but are intimidated by the stereotype of it being a male sport)
I think that playing a sport that is predominately male should empower young girls, not intimidate them. There's something to be said about being really great at a sport that is male dominate. It proves that girls are just as athletic as boys.
To learn more about what the NHL is doing to promote gender equality in the sport, click here.