Saskatoon U18AAA Stars head coach and former Lampman Resident Robin Ulrich is thrilled for the future of female hockey, as the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) began its inaugural season on January 1. 

“It's pretty exciting to know that now there's that opportunity in that dream and we're able to have the same dream as the boys and the males have always grown up with,” said Robin Ulrich. She also works as a skills development coach for the University of Saskatchewan’s Huskies Women’s Hockey Program.  

Growing up in Lampman, Ulrich frequently played hockey in her hometown and Estevan. She then played with the Huskies Women’s Hockey Program for five years at the University of Saskatchewan.  

After finishing her time as a player, she stepped into a coaching position with the Huskies. She stepped away for a couple of years as she followed another passion which is teaching.  

Ulrich returned to the as interim coach for the Huskies and rediscovered her love for coaching. She was then offered the position as the head coach for the Stars.  

Before the PWHL female hockey players had dreams of playing in post-secondary hockey, but now they have a viable option to play after that explained Ulrich.  

“I would have loved to play hockey for longer after university, but those options weren’t there, "said Ulrich. “If you wanted to you needed to head overseas to do that.”  

When players finish their time in post-secondary hockey, they are at their peak and then it’s over, and this gives female players time to learn and grow said Ulrich.  

“It’s the excitement of knowing that there’s another step after college or university.” 

With major broadcasters such as Sportsnet, TSN, and CBC jumping on board, the PWHL league has already received much public support.  

There are four Saskatchewan players in the league, Emily Clark, Sophie Shirley, Brooke Hobson, and Kaitlin Willoughby. 

“I'd encourage anybody that's a hockey fan to give the league a chance and watch a couple of games and see how good it is and how exciting it is and how physical it is.”