A Grant to Grow Girls' Hockey
Olympic gold‑medalist Megan Keller has teamed up with the NHL Foundation to launch a $100,000 Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey, a initiative aimed at lowering barriers for young female athletes across the United States.
The Suburban Hockey Foundation in Michigan will receive half of that funding, a $50,000 allocation designed to cover registration fees, equipment costs and travel expenses for aspiring players.
Keller, who first laced up skates at Suburban Ice in Farmington Hills, says the grant is personal — she wants to give girls the same chance she had to discover the thrill and growth that hockey brought to her own life.
Tom Anastos, chief executive of the Suburban Hockey Foundation, notes that the program builds on a long‑standing relationship with Keller, recalling the moment she scored the decisive goal that secured Team USA’s Olympic victory.
Funding Details and Application Timeline
Applications for the grant will remain open until September 11, with award decisions expected in October, providing a timely boost to grassroots hockey programs before the next season.
The partnership underscores a broader commitment from the NHL to invest in women’s sports, signaling that financial support for girls’ hockey can translate into stronger pipelines and deeper community engagement.
By targeting cost barriers, the grant hopes to expand participation beyond traditional hotbeds, encouraging families in under‑served regions to consider hockey as a viable athletic pursuit.