The NHL may have its first female player to appear in a regular season game this upcoming season.
The NHL's First Female Player?
One of the final barriers that is yet to be broken in the NHL is the gender barrier. Many female athletes have come close to playing in the NHL with even Manon Rheaume playing in a preseason game but none have gotten into an NHL regular season game.
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However, that could change in this next year with many female goaltenders potentially becoming Emergency Backup Goaltenders (EBUG) for NHL teams.
The Possibility Of The First Female Player
Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News brings up many valuable points about what to expect for the upcoming season regarding the EBUG.
He mentions how the PWHL only has 6 teams and how each team would likely employ three goaltenders. However, that only accounts for 18 goaltenders but 31 played professional hockey in North America last year.
"While some teams turn to beer league insurance agents, construction workers, or equipment managers, the option of professional women's hockey netminders who have stayed sharper, and in better shape in recent years will become increasingly enticing to clubs this year." - Ian Kennedy
While there is nothing official yet, there is a solid chance that we get to watch NHL teams have former professional women's hockey goaltenders and ones looking to return to professional hockey as their EBUG.
These players would certainly be a bit better than others who never got above Junior C and could be the difference between a win and a loss. If the opportunity comes up where a backup goaltender is needed, we could watch the NHL have it's first female player.
As seen on The Hockey News -
EBUG Alert: The Best Available Goalies This Year May Be WomenADS
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