Honestly, if you’re still thinking about women’s hockey as that "thing that happens every four years at the Olympics," you’ve basically missed the boat. The landscape shifted so fast it’ll give you whiplash. We aren’t just looking at a handful of stars anymore; we’re looking at a full-blown professional era where female hockey players are finally becoming household names with the marketing machines to match.
It’s about the PWHL. It's about the "Frost," the "Sirens," and the "Victoire."
The game is faster. The hits are harder. The personalities? They’re finally being allowed to show up without a cage—literally and metaphorically.
The Stars Everyone is Watching in 2026
When we talk about the most impactful players right now, you can't start the conversation without Marie-Philip Poulin. They call her "Captain Clutch" for a reason. Even at 34, she’s out there leading the Montreal Victoire in goals and basically willing her team to wins. It’s kinda wild to watch her sustain this level of dominance while the league gets younger and faster around her.
But if Poulin is the legend, Sarah Fillier is the future.
👉 See also: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
People were worried she might struggle with the physical jump to the pros after being the first overall pick for the New York Sirens. Those doubts died pretty quickly. She tied with the iconic Hilary Knight for points in her rookie year. Knight, by the way, is still a force for the Seattle Torrent, proving that experience and a 5-foot-11 frame are a nightmare for defenders no matter how old the birth certificate says you are.
Beyond the Scoresheet: Influence and Visibility
Then you have the social media crossover. Mikayla Demaiter might have transitioned from being a professional goaltender to a massive digital creator with over 3 million followers, but she kept the spotlight on the sport's aesthetic and lifestyle.
It’s a different vibe now.
In the "Play It Big" campaign that just rolled out, players like Sarah Nurse and Taylor Heise are being treated like the icons they are. You see Nurse on Adidas billboards in Vancouver. You see Heise—who is basically the heartbeat of the Minnesota Frost—becoming the face of a new generation of fans who trade friendship bracelets in the stands.
✨ Don't miss: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
Why the "Hot" Debate Is Shifting
For a long time, the conversation around "hot" athletes was, frankly, a bit shallow. It was about who looked good in a photoshoot. While players like Emma Maltais or Alina Müller certainly have the "marketable" look brands love, the fans in 2026 find the intensity attractive.
There is something inherently compelling about Abbey Murphy playing on the absolute edge of a penalty. She’s fast, she’s physical, and she’s got a "main character" energy that makes it impossible to look away from the screen when she’s on a shift.
The New Guard: NCAA to PWHL
- Caroline Harvey (Wisconsin): Most scouts agree she’s the best American defender on the planet right now. She’s 23 and already looks like she’s playing a different game.
- Laila Edwards: Making history as the first Black woman on the U.S. Olympic roster this year. She’s 6-foot-1 and has a shot that looks like it was fired out of a cannon.
- Kirsten Simms: Pure speed. If you blink, she’s behind the defense.
It’s not just about the talent, though. It’s about the fact that these women are now full-time pros. They aren't working a 9-to-5 and then hitting the ice at 10 PM. They have the trainers, the nutritionists, and the recovery tech that used to be reserved for the NHL guys. You can see it in their conditioning. They look like elite athletes because they finally have the resources to be exactly that.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the PWHL is just "diet" NHL.
🔗 Read more: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
It’s not.
The rules are different—like the "jailbreak" goal where a short-handed goal ends the penalty. It makes the game incredibly chaotic and exciting. The players are also much more accessible. You'll see Natalie Spooner or Renata Fast staying for an hour after a game to sign every single jersey.
There’s a genuine connection there. It’s less "corporate" than the men’s game, which honestly makes it a lot more fun to follow.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to actually follow the rise of these female hockey players and move beyond the highlights, here is how you stay in the loop:
- Watch the Olympic Tournament: The Milano Cortina 2026 games in February are going to be the most competitive in history because the depth of the PWHL has elevated every national team roster.
- Follow the "Play It Big" Campaign: Check out the behind-the-scenes content on the PWHL’s official channels to see the personalities of players like Cayla Barnes and Sophie Jaques off the ice.
- Check the NCAA Pipeline: Keep an eye on the Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Golden Gophers. The next wave of stars, like Ava McNaughton and Tessa Janecke, are currently dominating the college ranks and will be top draft picks soon.
The era of women's hockey being a niche interest is over. Whether it’s the record-breaking attendance in Toronto or the viral goals from Sarah Fillier, the sport is finally getting the "big" treatment it earned a long time ago.