A New Era for South Asian Women in Hockey
The inaugural Apna Hockey Elite Female Camp opened its doors in Surrey, British Columbia, gathering 20 of the nation’s most promising South Asian women hockey players. The event, organized by the Apna Hockey initiative, aimed to provide a high‑intensity environment where participants could test their skills against one another and receive expert guidance.
Participants spanned ages 16 to 26 and represented a spectrum of experience, from AAA club stars to professional veterans, all converging on the turf to push their limits. The camp’s curriculum combined rigorous on‑ice drills with off‑ice conditioning, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the players.
Lali Toor, co‑founder of Apna Hockey, praised the campers’ skill set, noting that their technical prowess and competitive drive signal a broader rise of South Asian representation in the sport. "These athletes bring a level of dedication that mirrors the growing visibility of our community in hockey," she said.
The camp’s significance extends beyond the rink. Just weeks earlier, Sunny Mehta made history as the first general manager of South Asian descent to lead an NHL franchise, the New Jersey Devils, a milestone that underscores the community’s growing influence.
That momentum is reflected in the Malhotra family’s deep roots in hockey ownership. Former NHL forward Manny Malhotra guided the Abbotsford Canucks affiliate to a Calder Cup title, while his son Caleb, a forward projected as the sixth‑best North American skater for the 2026 draft, continues the lineage.
Beyond the Malhotras, other trailblazers are shaping the landscape. Sudarshan Maharaj, who overcame pancreatic cancer in 2023, now directs goaltending for the Anaheim Ducks, while Siya Grewal, an 18‑year‑old former San Jose Jr. Sharks forward, described the camp as an uplifting milestone.
The organization behind the event, Apna Hockey, partnered with coaches Kush Sidhu of the Washington Pride and Roshen Jaswell of the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current to run intensive sessions that blended skill work with tactical testing.
Looking ahead, the camp plans to stage exhibition games in Montreal this July as part of the Challenger Series, a tournament that pits emerging hockey nations against one another in a celebration of development.
For international observers, Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association president Scott Vargas sees the gathering as a measuring stick, offering his players a clear benchmark against a rapidly advancing South Asian cohort.