One of the coolest things about The Ice Garden has to do with our unique range of experiences, specialties, and approaches to sports journalism. That said, we all have one powerful thing in common: a love of this sport. Many (if not all!) of us started as fans, and while our fandom has evolved as we’ve moved into journalism, we’ve gathered some nifty things the way. Here’s a look at the TIG staff’s favorite pieces of women’s hockey merch, collectibles, mementos, you name it.
Meredith, editor & writer: My favorite pieces of hockey stuff are all gifts or items with special memories attached. In 2018 I traveled to Luleå, Sweden with a friend to attend an SDHL game. At Delfinen I got into a playful Twitter exchange with a familiar online face, and when he made fun of my football scarf, I told him to buy me a hockey scarf instead. Turns out this man was the team’s communications director, and he did indeed buy me a scarf after I sassed him. I was so embarrassed at the time, but it’s a warm, warm memory of a frigid night near the Arctic Circle.
My other favorite is a gift from a fan in Finland. I adore this Linda Välimäki Lego minifigure because it’s fun and unique, and unlike anything else I have.
Mike, managing editor: This is such a tough call. There are three things immediately come to mind for me. First, someone was kind enough to buy me a Winny Brodt Brown game-worn jersey, which I still need to frame and get on my wall. Second, my press pass from the 2017-18 NWHL season signed by the Rivs who were on the inaugural roster. And, finally, a pin from the 1990 Women’s World Championship (pictured below) that I found on eBay. It was my gift to myself after completing a ton of historical research for Their Hockey Counts. It’s a neat little bit of history from the first Worlds tournament.
Jen, editor: I went to Hamilton College, which has a long and rich hockey history despite its status as a Division III school. Let’s just say it has not produced a whole lot of professional athletes. But you know who else went to Hamilton College? Former PHF goaltender Sam Walther. So after a Riveters game one day, I stood in the autograph line and placed this puck at her spot and acquired the autograph of the college’s first (I believe) female professional athlete alumna.
Maya, social media manager: My favourite piece of hockey memorabilia is my signed jersey from the 2008/2009 Team Canada u-18 women’s team. Some of the signatures include Natalie Spooner, Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Fortino, and Brianne Jenner.
I won the opportunity to join them for a practice and meet the team when I was nine years old. It was THE Natalie Spooner who was in charge of watching over me during practice and showing me around. I got to meet ladies who now are some of the best hockey players in the world. As a young female hockey player who was so used to people saying “you play hockey, but you’re a girl???”, it was cool to see that this could be my future (even though I never played that level in the end).
J, staff writer: The Angela James autograph card I picked up when visiting Truro, Nova Scotia to watch the PWHPA. It was the first hobby shop I’d gone to and it really skewed my expectations because you don’t find something this great every day. The card became even more dear when she later joined the Toronto Six.
I found the Jayna Hefford game-used jersey card last year, and it was a shock. Visiting a store in Massachusetts with a limited hockey selection, I found this card buried in a box of singles. It was thankfully in a rigid sleeve for protection, but it was priced at $5-10. When I went to the counter, I was praying that they wouldn’t tell me they’d made a mistake!
Authenticated autograph cards and jersey cards are appreciated and valuable in men’s hockey, but these two cards are the only one of each type I’ve seen in person for the women’s game. If I’d seen others, I would have tried to buy them! I hope that we’re moving in a direction where memorabilia like these cards is more common and available for the women.