Last week, the Women of Color Hockey Collective (WCHC), a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access, representation, and belonging in ice hockey for girls and women from underrepresented communities, held its WCHC Summer Camp in Etobicoke, Ontario. Sophie Jaques, a graduate of Ohio State University and member of Canada’s 2026 Olympic silver medal team, and Jade Iginla, a recent graduate of Brown University and the 18th overall pick in the recent Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Draft, served as coaches.
“To be a part of hopefully growing the game and providing representation for young girls is really important to me, but also thanks to our sponsors to bring everyone in for free is just unbelievable,” said Iginla, one of three Black women selected in the 2026 PWHL Draft. She will play for the new team in Hamilton.
Iginla’s entry into ice hockey was seamless as her father, Jarome Iginla, played in the NHL and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Knowing everyone doesn’t have that access, she’s creating paths. “Now more than ever we’re trying to create a space for everyone and bring everyone in,” she said. “It’s not just to see how good you can be, it’s to enjoy it, and that’s why this camp is so special. Everyone comes in and has a lot of fun.”
The PWHL and longtime league partner e.l.f. Beauty has come together with the WCHC to support programs aimed at increasing diversity for women and girls in hockey. There were more than 200 participants at the WCHC Summer Camp, all of whom attended the three-day hockey camp for free. In addition to Iginla and Jaques, PWHL player Mikyla Grant-Mentis also served as a coach. As the PWHL revs up for its fourth season, it expands to 12 teams. The four new cities will be Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose.
“It’s wonderful to see all the friendships that have bloomed from this camp,” said Jaques, who has played in the PWHL since its inception. “Having completed my [undergraduate and] graduate degrees was a great stepping stone for me and I learned a lot. While people might say engineering has nothing to do with hockey, I think it does, especially problem-solving. I apply it to my everyday life. Talking to the girls and sharing with them my experiences in hockey, where hockey could take them, and the opportunities that can come from the sport, is something I enjoy so much.”
