The Iron Maidens are making a return to the ice, this time with a younger roster and a renewed purpose.
A U15 girls hockey team is being formed in MacGregor with the goal of giving local players a chance to keep playing after co-ed hockey shifts to contact.
The original Iron Maidens team started in MacGregor in 1998.
It later grew to include players from Portage, Brandon, Gladstone, Westbourne and Rossendale.
For 22 years, the team was a staple in women’s hockey until folding in 2020. During that time, they were well known for hosting an annual charity game for ten years against the Baker Hutterite Colony.
Sparked by a daughter's question
The push to bring back the Iron Maidens began after one young player asked where she would play next.
“This last year my daughter was a major on our U13 co-ed team. After her first practice of the year, we got into the car and before I could even start it, she turned to me and asked where she was going to play hockey next year,” notes Kassy Murray, one of the parents organizing the new team.
“We assured her she would have a team somewhere to play on, but in reality, we were unsure ourselves,” she adds.
Things changed after a fall game in Notre Dame, where the MacGregor team discovered the Rural Manitoba Female Hockey League.
“We realized that they had a U15 female team, that played out of the Rural Manitoba Female League. This was the first time we had heard of this league,” Murray continues.
“After discussing the league with some of the other parents whose daughters would be in the same position as ours, we thought why can’t we do this? Let’s bring a female team to MacGregor!” she remarks.
Revival rooted in community
An information night held in March drew 12 girls to the ice.
The organizers were soon contacted by former Iron Maidens players who offered their support and suggested bringing back the team name.
“One of the former Iron Maidens is excited for the opportunity to now watch her own daughter play on the revival team and have the name live on,” mentions Murray. “We are also so fortunate to already have coaches who are willing to commit to the team. We have a very generous community that steps up when it comes to youth sports.”
The plan is to officially join the Rural Manitoba Female Hockey League this fall after its annual general meeting.
“The plan is to join the league in the fall when they have the AGM, with practices based out of MacGregor as it would the most central for the girls who have expressed interest in the team,” says Murray. “Games would be rotating throughout the home communities of our players.”
A much-needed option for girls
Organizers hope the team will fill a gap for girls who love the game but face limited opportunities after U13.
“The goal of this team is for girls who love the game to have the opportunity to continue to play as a lot of girls don’t play after U13 as this is when co-ed hockey transitions to a contact sport,” Murray notes.
“Portage obviously has the high school team which is a great opportunity for girls who attend PCI but unfortunately this isn’t an option for everyone,” she adds. “As well there is AAA for this age group, Central Plains has done a great job with this program but sometimes this isn’t an option for everyone either.”
Looking ahead to next season
Registration for the new Iron Maidens team opens in July through MacGregor Minor Hockey.
The league includes teams from Notre Dame, Westman, Neepawa, Brandon and Elkhorn, and follows Hockey Manitoba and Hockey Canada rules.
“Teams this year played a total of 18 league games, with additional games in playoffs and tournaments,” Murray mentions.
Organizers are confident that bringing girls' hockey back to MacGregor will not only support local players, but also strengthen the wider community.
“We love the idea of joining this league and keeping hockey in our grassroots communities,” says Murray. “So often a rink is what holds a community together and is the hub throughout the winter months.”
“This isn’t just about our community and our girls but for all rural communities that are trying to keep the sport alive in their community,” she remarks.