Jan 23, 2024
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48
The Rochester Americans scored two wins on Saturday. Yes, the team iced a 7-3 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds in front of a raucous crowd of 6,709 at Blue Cross Arena, but perhaps the bigger win was the event surrounding the game.
Aptly named ‘Women in Hockey Night,’ Saturday served as a day to honor, acknowledge, and respect the women involved in the game of hockey, along with all their contributions to growing the sport. It has become an annual event for the Amerks and various teams across the sports landscape.
The Amerks took it a step further throughout Saturday’s game, from World U18 Gold Medalists Megan Healy and Bella Fanale (a Webster, New York native) dropping ceremonial pucks, to having Rachel Hopmayer and Rheanna DeCrow on the game’s broadcast. Women in Hockey Night is once a season, but that one night can have an ever-lasting impact on those who played a role.
“As a student, I’m always trying to absorb as much information, knowledge and experience as I can,” said DeCrow, a broadcast student at Ithaca College who served as rinkside reporter for Saturday’s game. “Women in Hockey night with the Amerks was an incredible way to do that. I felt blessed to be around a group of people who were so supportive of the path that I have decided to embark on. It was inspiring for me to look around the ladies in the front office, Rachel, and so many others that are excelling at what they do, and so fun to be a part of a thriving culture where all those around and involved are lifted and pushed to be the best they can be.”
Another talented female that joined the broadcast, albeit virtually via zoom during Saturday’s second period intermission report was Haley Winn. The 20-year-old is a Rochester native who played for Bishop Kearney Selects Academy and is currently playing for Clarkson University. She captured gold like Healy and Fanale, though Winn earned the honors in 2020.
“It’s super special,” said Winn. “It’s something for little girls to look up to and dream of. Just knowing that you can work hard and be a professional hockey player or be involved in sports in some type of way is super special. Seeing role models that look like them makes it all the more possible. I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.”
Saturday was a night for being seen and heard. Several voices and faces…
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