Ella Boerger, a student at the University of St. Thomas and a member of the women’s hockey team, recently authored an op-ed for the Star Tribune, advocating for the significance of backing women’s professional hockey in Minnesota.
In her editorial, Boerger urges parents to expose their children to the sport by taking them to a game. She also implores sponsors to offer support to the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) and enjoins the community to persist in attending games or watching them online. By championing the league, she is of the belief that numerous female hockey players from Minnesota and across the United States will gain access to new opportunities. As a hockey player herself, Boerger expresses the aspiration that female athletes will no longer have to relinquish their passion for the sport due to financial constraints. She envisions a future where female athletes can pursue their careers in sports without being hindered by the size of their paycheck.
Boerger is deeply appreciative of the opportunity to grow up in Minnesota and play for the University of St. Thomas. She takes pride in residing in the ‘State of Hockey’, where numerous young stars are emerging at high school and college levels. She highlights the continuous improvement of the game, noting the escalating skill level of female players in stickhandling and skating. Drawing from her experiences at the college level and her observation of the next generation in high school, Boerger maintains an optimistic outlook on the future of women’s hockey in Minnesota.
As Boerger underscores the significance of supporting women’s professional hockey, it is apparent that her perspectives are rooted in the desire to afford more opportunities for female athletes and to ensure that their talents are not impeded by financial barriers. The momentum behind this cause is not only about advancing the sport but also about empowering women in athletics. It is a summons to acknowledge and provide more backing for women’s professional hockey, ultimately contributing to the growth of the sport and the progression of female athletes in Minnesota and beyond.