Young women in N.L. have a new league of their own after graduating from minor hockey system

A new hockey league is hitting the ice on the northeast Avalon this season. 

The newly built Women's Junior A Hockey League is welcoming young women between the ages of 18 and 24.

Jeff Brown, league vice-president of communications and community engagement, told CBC News on Wednesday that he — and other parents with daughters — noticed that the hockey path ends for most young women once they finish high school.

"We knew there was an opportunity to establish a program for post-high school competitive hockey," Brown said.

They were right. When they opened the doors for registration over 120 girls put their names on the list.

Molly Gill, one of the league's three captains, participated in the inaugural draft on Monday. 

"It was super exciting getting to look at all the good players we have," she said.

Having a league for these ages is important, says Gill, because it gives young hockey players something to look forward to.

Brown says he wasn't surprised by the large number of young players who were still interested in hockey after high school. He says the growth of women's sports — hockey in particular — is something he sees across the country.

Gill said she wants to see the games grow even more with added support for the players.

"I think the doors are finally opening for female hockey and Newfoundland," she said.

And that's the support this program hopes to bring, Brown said.

"It's about building that quality program both on and off the ice to give young athletes like Molly an opportunity to continue with the game," he said.

The season begins in the first week of November. The four-team league includes three from Monday's draft — each named after its captain — and one team made up of elite players from a younger age bracket.