Breaking barriers in hockey

Winnipeg

Winnipeg sports-lovers are working to start a queer hockey league in the city that’s accessible and not defined by traditional hockey norms.

The trio of founders — Key Caguioa, Brie Villeneuve, and Victor Selby — officially launched Prairie Pride Hockey League on June 5.

The group was inspired by the PWHL city takeover event where the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge played in Winnipeg on March 22.

“We’re still coming down off the high from the launch,” laughed Caguioa. “It’s unreal. I can’t believe we did it in that short amount of time.”

In less than three months, the group has created a website, social media platforms, and both short-term and long-term goals and plans.

“I love sports, but after coming out it was hard to support because they’re gendered. It’s hard to find a space that suits you,” Villeneuve said. “This is to include and prioritize people who feel they’ve been pushed out of the space.”

Both Caguioa and Villeneuve said they loved the atmosphere the PWHL created.

“There were so many non-traditional hockey fans that felt joy and safety there,” Villeneuve said.

They added that’s a driving force for the league’s creation.

“In a perfect world, I don’t want a queer league, I’d want queer professional players,” Villeneuve said.

“Why is it more OK to rally behind a goalie than a queer person (in hockey), that dissonance proves that we need spaces like this,” Caguioa said.

The Prairie Pride league is aiming to host a pilot event in the fall to engage the community and scope out where the demand is. Caguioa said the event will be ball hockey so it’s more accessible, but other details haven’t been set yet.

Right now, the league is focusing on community engagement with plans for an open call for board members happening next month.

Once the league is operational, it’ll be for players 18 and older, but the goal is to expand to all ages eventually. Teams will be divided by skill level, and play competitively, but Caguioa emphasized that all skill levels are welcome.

“I want people to know it’s okay to be a complete beginner,” she said.

So far, they said the community engagement has been great.

“I fully believe the community will rally around us,” Villeneuve said.

More information about the leagues formation will be available soon, but for now visit prairiepridehockey.ca