The inaugural PWHL season starts this week. Get to know some of the players from Saskatchewan
CBC
Growing up in Saskatoon, Emily Clark dreamed of being a professional hockey player, but the only option was the NHL because there was no established or sustainable women's league.
Clark's dream is finally coming true with the introduction of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is one of four women from Saskatchewan signed to official rosters for the inaugural season that starts this week.
The 28-year-old Saskatoon native made history in September when she was one of the first three players to sign free agent contracts with Ottawa's PWHL franchise.
"It was like Christmas. Like you're just so excited to see how it's going to look. Now to actually be here with my team every day has been amazing," Clark said.
"I just called my dad on the way here and he said have a good day at work. It's definitely pretty special to get to call this work."
Ottawa's first regular season game is on Tuesday against Montreal's PWHL franchise at 6 p.m. CST. All six PWHL teams played pre-season scrimmages in Utica, New York, in December.
Clark said the PWHL will provide young girls from Saskatchewan hope that they can play professional hockey one day.
"I'm really excited for women and future generations to just be hockey players, to get to go through high school hockey and college hockey and dream, and playing pro is just part of the journey," Clark said.
While this will be Clark's first experience in a professional league, she has been a mainstay on Canada's women's hockey team.
The forward helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games and was part of the silver-medal winning squad in Pyeongchang in 2018.
Clark also played in all four games of the 2023-2024 Rivalry Series against the United State's women's hockey team. She is hopeful that she will be in the lineup for games five and six in Saskatoon, her hometown, and Regina in February.
"It's probably been 10 or 12 years since I've played a game in Saskatoon. The last time I played in Saskatoon was probably when I played for the Stars when I was 16, so I think it's gonna be a really surreal moment," Clark said.
Clark won't be the only Saskatoon Stars alumni playing in the PWHL's first season.
Sophie Shirley, who also played with Clark at the University of Wisconsin, was selected 63rd overall by Boston's PWHL franchise. Her squad's first game is on Wednesday against Minnesota at 6:00 P.M. CST.
Warning: Some readers may find photos in this story distressing.
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