More Black Women Are Joining College Hockey.

The number of Black women playing college hockey is growing.

In a sport with few Black athletes at both the college and professional levels, the number of Black women in hockey has increased over the past decade.

NCAA data shows that in 2015, there were nine Black women on NCAA hockey rosters. By 2019, that number dropped to four. However, this season, at least 13 players are now on rosters across Division I and Division III schools.

Kelsey Koelzer, a former Princeton University player, made history as the first Black woman to coach an NCAA hockey team. In 2016, she also became the first Black player selected No. 1 in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). She, along with others in the sport, recognizes the growth.

“As I recruit, I’m always amazed that it’s becoming less surprising to see Black girls being recruited to NCAA Division I,” said Koelzer, coach of Arcadia University’s new women’s hockey team. “I think it’s a really encouraging sign.”

The Black women hockey players for this season include Chayla Edwards, a defenseman at the University of Wisconsin; Avery Mitchell, a defenseman at Clarkson University; Tamara Thierus, a forward at the University of New Hampshire; Rayla Clemons, a forward at Syracuse University; Jada Burke, a forward at Lindenwood University; India Charles, a defenseman at Finlandia University; Kiersten Goode, a forward at Yale University; Kensie Malone, a forward at Augsburg University; Sierra Benjamin, a defenseman at State University of New York-Plattsburgh; Maria Di Cresce, a forward at Nazareth College; Asiah Taylor-Waters, a forward at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Teagan Heaslip, a defenseman at Lindenwood University; and Jennifer Costa, a forward at Dartmouth College.

Blake Bolden, the first Black player in the NWHL in 2015 and the first Black first-round draft pick in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in 2013, is excited about the upcoming change.

“Girls’ hockey has grown a lot in recent years, so I think it’s only natural that the game would become more diverse. Not in huge numbers, but it’s progress, and that’s a good thing.”

Bolden also made history as the first Black female NHL pro scout when the Los Angeles Kings hired her in February 2020.

“This past year, I’ve had several calls with prep schools I’ve attended and worked with, all wanting to learn more about how to support diverse individuals and players,” she said.

With recruitment efforts focused on increasing diversity, this shift could encourage more girls and women to join the sport.