As PWHL visits Detroit, lack of in-state equity in women’s game rises to surface

A trio of pro women’s hockey players from the Professional Women Hockey League’s Boston franchise will be making a homecoming this Saturday, as the league rolls into Detroit for a “Takeover Weekend” game between Boston and Ottawa.

Saturday’s game in Detroit between Ottawa and Boston begins at 6 p.m., and Toronto will play Montreal at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena at 12:30 p.m.

But as Shiann Darkangelo (Brighton), Taylor Girard (Macomb) and Megan Keller (Farmington) return for a women’s pro game in Detroit, they can’t help but be reminded that “Hockeytown” has very little women’s representation at the highest levels.

Though Detroit — home to the Red Wings, one of the NHL’s “Original Six” franchises — is an obvious target if and when the recently debuted PWHL decides to expand, that is only half the battle.

In the state of Michigan, there are seven NCAA Division 1 men’s teams to zero women’s programs (though a handful of the schools have club teams). Darkangelo (Quinnipiac), Girard (Quinnipiac) and Keller (Boston College) all had to leave the state to play college hockey. Many years later, they aren’t able to be a pro in their hometown, either.

“I think it’s something that we’ve always wanted and it’s been talked about, from Michigan State to the University of Michigan,” Darkangelo said. “Obviously, Wayne State had a program as well. 

“But I think it would be huge to be able to have a professional team there. It might kind of push people, I feel like, to get the involvement at the University of Michigan, to have a Division I team. I know they have like a club team and things, and there are people working in that direction, but it would be super exciting to see that.”

Keller is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and traveled the world because of her hockey talent. One place it doesn’t often take her, however, is her hometown of Detroit. Still, she thinks the idea of expansion is “inevitable,” which bodes well for getting a local women’s hockey club in Hockeytown.

“Just to see the support and the success that the PWHL has had already, personally, I would love to see Detroit or other markets get a team,” Keller said. “There’s so much room for growth in women’s hockey and especially at the professional level. To have that access for young hockey players in those different markets, it’s something fans — Detroit hockey fans — deserve.”

It’ll be a special moment for each player. Darkangelo played for Little Caesars AAA Hockey growing up, while part of Girard’s love of the game was born from attending Red Wings games as a kid. 

“Different rink now, but it’s going to be cool to just be in that building and just be in my hometown,” Girard said.

All have the opportunity to pay it forward by representing the women’s game for many young girls in attendance.

“Just really excited to play in front of friends and family and also bring the PWHL to Detroit,” Keller said. 

“I mean, it’s called Hockeytown for a reason, and there’s so much youth girls hockey throughout the state of Michigan. It’ll be exciting for all the fans to watch women’s professional hockey.”

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi

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