If you heard that the US Olympic men’s and women’s hockey teams have won the same number of gold medals, you might assume that they have shared a common journey. However, a piece of information that is often overlooked is that the USA men’s hockey team has been around for over 100 years, while the women’s team has only been around for 30. As a result, the women’s team’s rate of success is significantly more impressive.
Until recently, ice hockey was not a sport in which women could see a realistic future. However, now with the development of the PWHL and college hockey, there is a clear next step for little girls. This progress has been highlighted at the Olympics this year when the gold medal game made history as the most watched women’s hockey game ever. As 7.7 million people tuned in to watch the game, the visibility of the sport reached a new level, inspiring a new generation of girls to see a place for themselves in the sport.
Although this success was revolutionary, it was still undermined by external comments, most notably from the president. President Trump made a controversial remark to the men’s team expressing his reluctance to invite the women’s team to celebrate at the White House after their win. This type of commentary creates a ripple effect in the way people view women’s sports. This comment became a hot topic on social media, shifting the focus from the team and their success to the controversy surrounding the situation.
The rise of women’s hockey shows how far the sport has come, and how far the sport still has to go. The record-breaking viewership at the 2026 Olympics sets an outstanding precedent for what is yet to come. However, the lack of respect and recognition women continue to face highlights the persistent inequality women face in sports. As this sport continues to grow, we must be sure that women are not only succeeding but are given the proper recognition for their success.