The Yellowknife Women’s Hockey Association just announced that they are hosting their first tournament. The Yellowknife Robins Women’s Hockey Tournament is a five-day celebration of inclusive, community-driven women’s hockey!
The tournament games are scheduled to run from April 23 to 27 at Yellowknife’s Ed Jeske and YK Arenas.
There, seven teams will compete for “bragging rights” and a choice of Community Teams Team Names: Robin Hunters, Robinators, Rowdy Robins, Robin You Blind, DT Electric, Hay River Hazard, and Fort Smith Fury.
The play began Wednesday night and will build to a bronze-medal game at 12:30 p.m. and a championship final at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.
DT Electric, a squad of high-school-aged players from Yellowknife, promises to add an energetic spirit of youth.
“Watching these girls skate against adult competition shows just how much talent is coming up through the ranks,” said the YWHA Vice President Ali Simpson.
“It’s inspiring for all of us, and exciting to see the number of girls playing now compared to only a few of us who played when I was growing up in Yellowknife.”
The tournament includes “cross-community competition and camaraderie,” with clubs travelling in from Hay River and Fort Smith.
It’s all about celebrating northern hockey with new friends and rivals across different communities.
“There’s nothing more fun than lining up for a face-off against someone you don’t get to play against everyday,” said YWHA President Karen Brown.
“We love the laughter in the lobby, the cheering sections mixing together, and the memories players take home. We’ve welcomed dozens of new players to the Robins over the last few seasons, many of whom laced up skates for the first time this year. Finishing our season with a home-town tournament that mixes local athletes with visitors from across the NWT is the perfect way to showcase how fun and welcoming women’s hockey can be,” said Brown.
The league is built on inclusion and growth, and was founded to honour Yellowknife hockey legend Robin Mercer-Sproule – the namesake of the “Robins”
The YWHA’s recreational league is open to players of all skill levels, with one game per week for every team and ice time from mid-October through March.
The Association continues to expand each season, thanks in part to two new streams introduced in 2024-25.
A development program is available which adds a 20-minute coached practice at the start of every league game. These practices are all about skating, stick-handling, passing, shooting, positioning and game awareness. Mixed 40-minute games follow where players skate alongside more experienced teammates.
The Association offers a competitive-game option. Two times per month, higher-level skaters can try out a faster-paced game to polish their skills and embrace a more challenging tempo.
“The response to our Development Program has been incredible,” affirmed Patricia Parker, who is the YWHA director of player development.
“Creating space where brand-new skaters can learn the game, develop their skills, get some game experience and eventually jump into tournaments like this one, sets players up for lifelong participation. We’re already planning to expand skill-building opportunities next season,” she continued.
The Yellowknife Women’s Hockey Association is a volunteer-run, non-profit league providing safe, inclusive ice time for women and gender-diverse players of every skill level.
“Our mission is to grow the game through skill development, community engagement, and the spirit of the sport we love.”
