Some of the world's top hockey talent will descend upon Arizona for a three-day showcase at Oceanside Arena in Tempe.
The Arizona Coyotes, in conjunction with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) will be bringing 34 players to compete in three exhibition games from March 6-8 on the Arizona stop of the PWHPA's Dream Gap Tour.
"The PWHPA is extremely excited to bring the Dream Gap Tour to Arizona," PWHPA Executive Director Jayna Hefford said in a statement. "We know Arizona is a growing hockey market and we are excited to showcase the best talent in women's hockey."
Several players participating in the Dream Gap Tour also competed in the women's 3-on-3 event at the 2020 All-Star Game in St. Louis.
Arizona natives Makenna Newkirk and Katie McGovern, both from Scottsdale, will serve as captains for the first two games. The third game, held on the final day, will pit the top PWHPA stars against Coyotes alumni including longtime captain Shane Doan and former Olympian Lyndsey Fry.
"These are women who are fighting for equality in professional sports," said Fry, who now works for the Coyotes in amateur hockey development and as a special adviser to President and CEO Ahron Cohen. "They've been going around the country trying to showcase their product. I think that's super important here for everyone in the Valley to see, whether you're a hockey fan or just someone who admires women in sports and believes there should be an opportunity for boys and girls to dream of playing their sport professionally one day."
Another player of interest to Coyotes fans will be Amanda Kessel, a two-time Olympian and younger sibling of Coyotes winger Phil Kessel.
"I had never been to Arizona until this year," the younger Kessel said. "I'm super excited and I didn't expect the crowds and everyone to be that into hockey. I was very surprised. It seems like a great environment and people love hockey. We're hoping to grow the women's game now there."
The 28-year-old Kessel, who played professionally for the Metropolitan Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), is one of many women boycotting the NWHL in an effort to find a sustainable solution for women's professional hockey.
"I definitely think there will be a league," Kessel said, "but I don't know if it will be one, two, or five years. It's tough being an older player because I want it to happen now. But I want to help leave it for a younger generation in a better spot than it is now."
Players at the event will also serve as guest coaches at separate skills clinics with local girls players, many of whom participate in Fry's Arizona Kachinas program that boasts some of the country's best growth statistics in youth hockey participation.
"It's a phenomenal opportunity for our girls who are 8-10 years old," Fry said. "They can say, 'Wow, coach Katie is on the ice and coach Lyndsey is on the ice with the best players in the world. That's what I want to do someday.'
"I never ever, ever, ever got that growing up in Arizona. It's just such an incredible thing for them to have their role models 15 feet away from them out on the ice."
Tickets start at $30 per game and can be purchased on the Coyotes web site.
Up next
Coyotes vs. Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m., Saturday: The Coyotes (31-27-8) host the Sabres to close out a three-game homestand in which they currently hold a 1-1 record. ... The Sabres (29-26-8) are well on the outside of the playoff picture but have won two of their last three games and five of seven overall. ... This is the second and final meeting between the the teams this season; the Coyotes collected a 3-2 shootout win over the Sabres on Oct. 28 in Buffalo.
Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at rmorin@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @ramorin_azc.
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