By Heather Walters

“CALLING All Girls—Come be a HERicane for a Day!” was the announcement posted on social media, on posters distributed around town and by word of mouth.

The HERicane organization put out the call—and they came. Dozens and dozens of eager, aspiring female hockey players converged at Port Dover Arena on Wednesday, March 12, during March break week, to participate in a free trial with Norfolk’s only women’s/girls’ hockey league.

Girls born between 2011 and 2020 attended the event and were treated to a pizza party. They had the opportunity to meet others interested in the program, then donned an official HERicanes jersey and took to the ice.

Several volunteer coaches and older members of the league ran skating and puck handling drills for different age groups.

The idea behind the event was to increase awareness of the all-girls hockey organization in the community and to recruit new players for next year’s roster.

Bernie Gillis, president of the HERicanes league, said he was “gobsmacked” by the turnout and thrilled that so many young girls are showing an interest in playing Canada’s most popular game.

“No doubt the [Professional Women’s Hockey League] has had a big influence on young girls who want to play and can now see they can aspire to go beyond local leagues right up to pro,” he stated.

Last year, they held this same event for the first time and the turnout was so encouraging they decided to make it an annual one.

“We will continue to invite new players out until we grow this sport to the max,” he said, indicating that more enrolment means more teams and more competition at all age levels.

Mr. Gillis went on to say that two major sponsors—Little Caesar’s Pizza and Simcoe Lions Club—have been huge supporters of the league. “We couldn’t do it without them,” he said.

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Originally published March 9, 2025