The Edmonton Oilers made headlines this week by doing something that has never been done before in the National Hockey League: they invited three standout players from women’s college hockey to their development camp.
A Milestone in Inclusion
Abbey Murphy, Chloe Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer, all of whom have been celebrated for their performances at the University of Minnesota and other programs, arrived at the Oilers’ facility alongside veteran coach Erin Ambrose. General manager Stan Bowman, who championed the idea, emphasized that the camp was never meant to evaluate the women for an NHL contract but rather to give them a taste of the professional environment and to learn from the experience.
The camp, held in Edmonton after the NHL draft, is designed to test prospects through a battery of fitness assessments, skill drills and a three‑on‑three tournament that pits the newcomers against each other and against some of the league’s top prospects.
Reactions and Resilience
While a wave of misogynistic comments surfaced online, many of the male prospects responded with openness, offering high‑fives and encouragement during on‑ice sessions. The atmosphere, according to participants, felt unusually welcoming for a setting that is typically male‑dominated.
Looking Forward
The episode underscores a broader push within hockey to broaden pathways for women, from grassroots programs to elite development tracks. With the Professional Women’s Hockey League gaining traction and universities investing more in their programs, the Oilers’ experiment may become a model for other franchises seeking to showcase inclusivity without compromising competitive integrity.