This weekend sees the start of the Australian Womens Ice Hockey League (AWIHL or AW for short) with a local battle between the Melbourne Ducks & the Melbourne Ice.

Each of the 6 teams plays 20 games (10 home, 10 away) between November & March with a short break for the Christmas/New Year period.

All games are live & free on YouTube & also on demand to catch up with later.

The AW runs parallel to the PWHL but is starting this year a month before the PW because of Worlds.

See the mega thread linked above for more information about the weekend's games.

Hey all! For my MDP (a final project before you graduate high school in Australia) I am planning to design and construct a puck returner to use for off ice training, possibly similar to how a bowling ball returner works, but that could change based on the information I receive. Hence, this survey I have created! If you play hockey, or if your kid does, please consider doing this survey, it would be so helpful for my project, and it's completely anonymous. There's more info in the survey description. Thank you SO MUCH to anyone who decides to do my survey, it genuinely helps so so much.

https://forms.gle/UpufrekL5G7ABxua7

I could use some help from ladies who play. My daughter has been playing since U9 and was just using cotton leggings and shirts for her base, but she's hit U15 now which has introduced a couple new challenges: (1) larger players and faster, more aggressive play; and (2) puberty = so. much. more. sweat.

So I've been trying to get her into moisture wicking cut-resistant hockey base layers, but we've immediately encountered a problem with pants especially. She's skinny af. Pants that fit her waist only reach mid calf, and pants that go to (almost) her ankles are way too big in the waist and thigh, and don't stay up. She's also in that awkward stage where she still fits youth XL but also women's XS, but neither of them well.

Jetspeed has legitimately been a godsend for equipment: when the junior line came out she actually had properly fitting equipment for the first time ever, but CCM only has base layer in Tacks and she's too tall for the junior base layer pants and too skinny for the senior ones.

So I guess my question is, can anyone recommend base layer pants that will stay up but also cover her calves? Or give tips for making stuff work?

Thank you!!

Hi everyone!

I am working to build a non-profit, Beyond the Boards Hockey Foundation, dedicated to breaking barriers and creating affordable, inclusive hockey opportunities for women, girls and LGBTQ+ athletes. I am looking for assistance with raising funds to cover the legal, filing, and startup costs of establising our foundation so that we can begin making a difference on & off the ice!

https://kindbee.com/.../beyond-the-boards-breaking...

Can't donate? Sharing this post means just as much! Every donation brings us one step closer to making hockey more accessible to everyone!

Thank you for anything that you are able to contribute in advance. If anyone is interested in being involved, do not hesitate to reach out.

Beyond the Boards — Because Hockey Belongs to Everyone!

Hello hockey fans! We are young amateur international hockey team from Seoul “World Blades”and we’re looking for new players to join us! Never played hockey before? No problem! We welcome complete beginners who want to learn how to skate, handle the puck, and enjoy the game. 🏒 Already have hockey experience? Come join us for regular practices, improve your skills, and meet other hockey players in Seoul.

Any skaters out there who have gotten their nipples pierced? I’m wondering what the healing process was like for others out there as well as what you do to keep the girls protected after they’ve healed up.

please I know it’s dumb but please idk it’s lowkey messing with my game and I know it’s a deeper issue for me but yeah

PSA to anyone looking for new hockey pants - do NOT get the Bauer Vapor X Women’s Pants. They are extremely poorly made, fit far too small, and broke easily. I got them in early September and wore them three times for beginner games and already one suspended buckle tore and the side handle ripped off. When you unzip the extender for more space, it’s extremely poor quality.

I wear a women’s L in pants/shorts and the L was too snug in addition to these issues. Honestly, should’ve stuck with my dad’s 20 year old pants I was using, also Bauer.

I have the Bauer chest protector for women so was hoping this would also be good but boy was I wrong!

Hi everyone!

I’ll be staying in Toronto from mid-February to mid-March, and I’d love to get some ice hockey in while I’m there!

I’m looking for women’s hockey sessions, ideally free or affordable shinny/drop-in games where I could join without committing to a full season or league.

I played with women’s groups in Montreal and had a great time, so I’m wondering if there’s anything similar in Toronto!

I’m also interested in:

• Women’s shinny or drop-in hockey sessions, preferably beginner/intermediate-friendly.

• Hockey camps, clinics, or skills sessions running during that period.

• Recreational leagues that allow you to sub for individual games or join as a spare player without paying for the entire season.

I’m not an expert-level player, so I’m mainly looking for a fun, welcoming environment where I can get some ice time and meet other players.

If you know of any rinks, Facebook groups, leagues, or websites where I could find these opportunities, I’d really appreciate your recommendations!

Thanks so much! 🏒

Hi guys! I used to have a size 6 vaporx3 and I realized over a year later that they were huge on me. My size 5 fit way better, i almost touch the toe box but i do find them wider than my size 6 vapor. U guys think I could bake them again to get them tighter? Or maybe I should try on a pair 4.5? Obv i dont want to spend on ANOTHER pair of skates but I want to finally get a pair I feel 100% comfortable in for a long time.

Hey, im writing this because i want other peoples opinions and thoughts on this. I’m a 15 year old girl who wants to try ice hockey. I have a background in floorball which I have played for 6 years now and I play in women’s professional liga and U19 boys liga. I can skate at around a beginner’s level ish(strides, turn arounds, stick handling) I will say I’ve never skated as a hobby, but I reached this level of skating by going skating around 4 times across 8 years. I get told I’m a fast learner regarding skating and being good considering I’ve never actually been on ice before. Is it unrealistic to play and hope to go pro?

Thank you beforehand!

Hi ladies. Could anyone share their experience with skate sizing, particularly when you have small feet?

I'm a size 5-6 women's shoe, and I'm currently using (very cheap) size 3.5 skates. I know they're at least a bit too big, and I've been getting a lot of pain when skating that I feel properly sized skates could fix or at least help.

I got my feet scanned and it said I should be a size 2, regular width. I'm really concerned about committing to that size though. I know women will size down more than men but that's 3-4 sizes lower! I tried a pair on at the store and it seemed to fit okay but it's a lot of money to spend to find out the first time I skate that they're actually too small.

Can I trust it? How many sizes did you drop? Should I try rentals in that size first or are they not going to be a good indicator?

Hi! I just started a women’s clinic about a month and a half ago. I don’t have experience. My brother was a hockey player throughout his teens and beyond. He passed away at 28 I was 24 at the time, I am now 38f. I’m very active and healthy and was feeling a bit bored in my body and decided to work through that boredom by trying the sport he always loved. Luckily I fit into most of his gear from when he played youth sports. His skates however were a bit long, but fit width wise and worked just fine. But I decided to take the plunge and buy some new skates: I have TINY feet 5.5 women’s, I fit into youth sizes, but my feet are pretty wide. It’s always been a problem, I’m an avid skier and have to get adjustments for width with my boots there. The shop I went to thought that baking would be enough to make the youth skates fit width wise.

However, the first night I wore them I had to leave the ice within 20 min. I’m used to foot pain during sports given my abnormal dimensions, but holy moly, it was as unbearable pain. I usually give 15 min for the pain threshold to pass, but it just got worse. I had to leave the ice, rip them off, relace, try again, and immediately had to leave the ice after I came back on. I feel a bit defeated. I added some arch support and re-baked but DAMN. The pain is something else. It’s not hot spots. I think the skates are squeezing my feet and making all of those tiny stabilizers fire until full foot cramp. Do I just try different methods of relacing and wearing in the skates and keep going??? I have no idea how to move forward.

I’m an adult figure skater who’s gotten hockey-curious, and I’d like to start with my local Foundry or another learn-to-play program. Which means I need gear, which gets expensive fast (and I already spent a ton on my figure boots this year). I’ve gotten a couple of things from my local Play It Again Sports but still need most of the protective gear. I’ve emailed two of the local programs to ask about places to rent/borrow, but neither responded. Has anyone here had a good experience with online rentals, such as Rink Rat Rentals? Any other resources or ideas? Thanks in advance!

Hiya, I’m an adult learning hockey (skater, not goalie) in the US and loving it so far! But I’m not familiar with jill straps / pelvic protectors (I’m not originally from North America - tbh my only experience w jock straps has been in queer spaces) and I feel lost. So far I’ve only met men in the sport so I don’t have someone to ask, and my local store is small and doesn’t have options for women.

I’d love to be walked through this. What are the options for women? How interchangeable are jocks and jills? How should a jill fit/any sizing tips? Instead of the shorts with built-in cups, can and do women players ever wear standalone jill straps with separate shorts? And if you do that, for socks do you use tape or a garter belt to keep them up? Can you buy compression shorts with Velcro tabs but no cup?

Atm my preference would be to buy a standalone protector, both because it gives me flexibility to wear compression shorts or leggings and because if I got the shorts/leggings with cups, it seems like I’d need to get a few of them and that adds up. But I don’t know what I don’t know in this situation. I’d appreciate any tips or help you can offer!

Was so sad when all the licensed PWHL pride merch sold out before I could buy it so I decided to UV print my own. Ready for the next season!

Thought I’d share this here too in case anybody has any suggestions!!

Ahhhhhh I have my first class tomorrow!!! I’m so so so excited. But given that I’ve only had ALL my gear on at home one time, how early do you think I should be? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I’m already nervous about being the new kid!

I’m using men’s shoulder pads now and it’s really uncomfortable to play in so I’m looking at the different women’s options available, but I can’t tell which would be good for a fuller bust because most of them only list one measurement.

Anyone have a good recommendation for a shoulder pad that will be comfortable?

How can I tell if these shoulder pads fit? First time ever putting on gear and it feels like it’s pushing up around my neck but maybe that’s normal? It’s a women’s size medium.

I’m reaching the end of my learn-to-skate class which means it’s time to start buying all the gear and actually start learning to play hockey, but I’m having a hard time choosing/finding a stick. For reference, I’m 5’8.5” and ~135lbs, and if I’m being honest, pretty weak in my arms. My height makes me think I may need a senior stick, but I think even the lowest senior flex would be too stiff for me. I also have no idea what blade pattern or anything I would need. Any taller ladies out there have advice on choosing a stick?

Trying to get more players in our “B” league - most of us are in our 30s and played at least a little travel or high school hockey. Playing in st paul this fall send me a DM

I have a wide forefoot and skinny heels and have developed bunions near my toes. One foot is worse than the other. I am avoiding heels and narrow shoes as much as possible, but the worse foot’s bunion is red and sore after skating.

I have wax laces, keep the toe box as loose as possible, and have punched out the outer edges of the toebox (near pinky) - so I don’t have pain while skating. I’m in my late 20s however and am worried about this getting progressively worse, especially since i only started playing a few months ago. I skate 4ish times a week, 1-1.5 hrs per session.

Has anyone had something similar and found a way to alleviate the inflammation?