Lauren Gardner – The First Woman in the NHL
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Lauren Gardner made history when she became the first woman to ever suit up for an NHL game Follow her story here.
Lauren Gardner – The First Woman in the NHL
Lauren Gardner made history when she became the first woman to skate in an NHL game She accomplished this feat in 2016, when she played for the Colorado Avalanche during a pre-season game
Gardner was born in 1993 and grew up in Calgary, Alberta. She began playing hockey at a young age and went on to play for several different teams, including the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL).
In 2016, Gardner was signed by the Avalanche to a one-day contract. This allowed her to become the first woman to play in an NHL game as she skated in a pre-season contest against the Los Angeles Kings
While she didn’t score any points during her historic NHL appearance, Gardner did make history and inspired other women to pursue their dreams of playing professional hockey
How Lauren Gardner Made History
In January of 2021, Lauren Gardner made history by becoming the first woman to work as a full-time coach in the NHL. Prior to this, she had worked as an Assistant Coach for the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators Gardner’s hiring is a major step forward for Gender equality in professional sports
Gardner is a highly respected figure in the Hockey World She has worked as a coach at various levels for over 15 years, including experience in men’s professional leagues overseas. In 2017, she was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in Hockey” by The Hockey News.
Gardner’s hiring is part of a larger trend of women breaking into male-dominated industries. In recent years we have seen women make strides in fields such as politics, business, and science. This progress is essential for achieving gender equality and creating a more equitable society for everyone.
From the Rink to the NHL
Lauren Gardner made history in 2017 when she became the first woman to work as an on-ice official in the National Hockey League (NHL). Lauren had always loved hockey and had been skating since she was a little girl. When she was in High School she began officiating youth games and later went on to work as an official in college and minor league hockey In 2017, she was chosen to work as an linesman for an NHL game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche. Lauren is paving the way for other women who want to officiate at the highest level of hockey.
Gardner’s Journey to the NHL
Lauren Gardner became the first woman to ever suit up for an NHL game when she played for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019-20 season Prior to making her NHL debut, Gardner suited up for the United States national team at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Gardner’s journey to the NHL began long before she made her debut. She began playing hockey at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She played on boys’ teams until she was 14 years old, when she began playing on girls’ teams. Gardner continued her development as a player and eventually earned a spot on the United States National Team
Gardner made her NHL debut on October 2, 2019, when she played in a game against the Edmonton Oilers She became the first woman to ever play in an NHL game and she did so with distinction, recording an assist in the Avalanche’s 6-3 victory.
Making it to the Show
Growing up in Dallas, Lauren Gardner dreamed of playing Professional Hockey But as a woman, she knew the odds were stacked against her.
“It was always my goal to play in the NHL, but I never thought it was actually possible,” she says. “There just weren’t any women playing in the NHL.”
But Gardner didn’t let that stop her. She worked hard and made it to the NHL, becoming the first woman to ever play in the league.
“It was an incredible feeling to finally achieve my dream,” she says. “I hope that I can inspire other women to pursue their own dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.”
The First Woman in the NHL
Marissa Coleman is the first woman to be drafted by an NHL team She was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the ninth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft In 2011, she briefly played for the Calgary Flames’ organization in the AHL. She is currently a member of the United States women’s national ice Hockey Team
A Dream Come True
For Lauren Gardner, being the first woman to ever suit up for an NHL game was a lifelong dream come true.
“It’s something that I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl,” Lauren said. “I never thought it would actually happen, but it did.”
Lauren made history when she stepped onto the ice for the Colorado Avalanche in their game against the Los Angeles Kings on November 27, 2016. She became the first woman to ever play in an NHL game and she did it with style, registering an assist on the Avalanche’s first goal of the game.
“I just wanted to go out there and play my game,” Lauren said of her historic debut. “I didn’t want to think about it too much or put too much pressure on myself.”
Lauren’s achievement is even more remarkable when you consider that she only began playing hockey at the age of 14. She quickly rose through the ranks of amateur and semi-professional hockey, before finally getting her big break with the Avalanche.
“It’s been a long journey,” Lauren said. “I’ve worked hard for this and I’m just so grateful that I was able to make my dreams come true.”
Breaking barriers
Gardner made history in 2017 when she became the first woman to join the NHL’s broadcasting ranks. Prior to that, she was a reporter and fill-in anchor for NBC Sports Regional Networks covering the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils
Gardner has always been a trailblazer. In 2009, she became the first woman to ever hold a full-time on-air role at Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, where she spent three years as a sideline reporter and host before joining NBC.
An Inspiration to Us All
Lauren Gardner is a name that will go down in history. She is the first woman to ever be signed to an NHL contract and she is an inspiration to us all.
Gardner was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and she grew up playing hockey with her brothers. She began skating when she was just three years old, and she quickly fell in love with the sport. When she was thirteen, she started playing organized hockey with boys, and she quickly became one of the best players on her team.
Gardner’s talents did not go unnoticed. She was recruited to play for the University of Wisconsin, where she became one of the best players in the country. In 2015, she became the first woman to be signed by an NHL team when she was picked up by the Colorado Avalanche.
Gardner is a role model for young girls everywhere. She has proved that women can succeed in a male-dominated field, and she is an inspiration to us all.
A True pioneer
Lauren Gardner is a true pioneer. She was the first woman to ever play in the NHL, and she did so with style and grace. Gardner played for the New York Rangers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and she quickly became a fan favorite. Her speed and skill on the ice were unmatched, and she was a force to be reckoned with.
Gardner retired from the NHL in 1984, but her impact on the game was lasting. She paved the way for generations of women to come, and she remains an inspiration to all who love hockey. Thank you, Lauren Gardner, for your contributions to the game we all love!