The Landscape of Women's Hockey in Michigan
Michigan’s hockey footprint is expanding beyond the traditional men’s rinks, with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) now anchored in Detroit. The league’s recent expansion has placed a franchise in the Motor City, and the 2026 draft saw several Michigan‑born athletes selected, signaling a deepening talent pool.
Yet the state lacks an NCAA Division I women’s hockey program, forcing many of its top prospects to leave home for college. The absence of a Division I pathway has left a gap that local leaders and former players are eager to fill, hoping to keep the next generation of talent rooted in Michigan.
Challenges and Opportunities
Megan Keller, a Farmington Hills native and member of the American national team that captured gold at the 2026 Olympics, has spoken openly about the desire to play for a Michigan college team. Joining her are Tessa Bonhomme, a former Canadian national team member who honed her game at Ohio State, and Kirsten Simms, an Olympic gold‑medalist who left Michigan to pursue her career at Wisconsin before being drafted by the Toronto Sceptres.
Casey Borgiel, a Port Huron product, was also selected by PWHL Detroit in the 2026 Draft, while Elyssa Biederman, another alum of the Little Caesars girls program, is set to join PWHL Hamilton next season after representing the U.S. collegiate select team last year.
The push for a Division I women’s program is being driven by feasibility studies and the involvement of industry veterans such as Manon Rhéaume, the former Little Caesars girls hockey director who now serves as general manager of PWHL Detroit. Her experience as the first woman to play in the NHL adds a powerful narrative to the state’s ambition.
While the nearest Division I option for girls remains Ohio State in Columbus, the growing network of professional and collegiate connections suggests that Michigan could soon bridge the gap, offering a local pipeline that inspires young girls and retains elite talent within state borders.