The Premier Hockey Federation’s all-star game in Toronto on Sunday wasn’t only a place to see the new, honestly paid face of women’s hockey. It was the place to celebrate welcome change in the game.
Toronto Six defender Saroya Tinker is one of the leading proponents for changing hockey’s culture.
“The reason I’m still playing is so that I can be a representation for the little Black girls coming up,” said the 24-year-old Tinker, the executive director of the Black Girl Hockey Club. “I realize that I’ve reached the professional level of my career, and now it’s on me to be that representation and show them that they can see me on the ice, they can have that physical manifestation of someone they may want to be.
“They’re my purpose. I love seeing their faces in the stands, and to be quite honest they’re what keeps me going.”
Tinker, an Oshawa native, skated for Canada in the all-star game, which broke 45 all-stars into three teams (Canada, the U.S., and the World) for a series of 14-minute games.
Canada trailed 2-1 with six minutes remaining in the championship game but got goals from Loren Gabel and Jade Downie-Landry to down the World team 3-2 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Toronto Six forward Brittany Howard had the other goal for Canada. Gabel, who finished the day with three goals and an assist, earned MVP honours.
Tinker, who has been outspoken on racism and the need for hockey’s culture to change, is part of the promise that has been emerging in women’s hockey over the past year.
Tinker’s new Toronto Six teammate, Daryl Watts, just announced she will be paid $150,000 (U.S.), the highest salary in the league. While Watts has just started practising again after several months away from the ice, the Canadian team included Buffalo Beauts forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis, who last May received a then-record $80,000 salary for this season.
“Not many people know this, but Daryl is my childhood best friend,” said Grant-Mentis, who began playing with Watts over a decade ago with the Etobicoke Dolphins. “I love this (new contract) for her, and I’m glad for her. This is really pushing our league forward, that more players will come and join and make our league stronger.”
The PHF doubling its salary cap to $1.5 million for next season. It expects to grow with additional sponsorship in the off season and is reviewing the potential for expansion and facility upgrades.
The league staged its All-Star Game in Toronto for the first time, another step in exposing the league to wider audiences.
“We consider this the new era of the PHF,” league commissioner Reagan Carey said. “This season, we considered it a proving ground for us, making sure people knew what we are about, and what we can do. All the added experience we brought into our leadership group and front office, and their ability to talk to the right people, has made a difference for us. We’re seeing a lot of growth for next season, and the opportunity to bring on a lot of (new sponsors and investors).”
Tinker recalls making $5,000 when she started playing. So the rise in salaries is a welcome change. But she’s working on a culture change and documenting it through a 12-part TSN series, “Breaking Down Barriers,” which is filming now and will be aired in the fall.
“We’re focusing on organizations and individuals changing hockey culture,” Tinker said. “So, a wide realm of hockey individuals, from diversity inclusion to disabled people playing in the game to blind hockey to the women’s game, LGBTQ+ … all that great stuff that people are doing to change the culture of hockey.”
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