WHL x Pride: Inclusive hockey associations growing across Western North America

Calgary, Alta.- It took a heart-stopping shootout, but the Calgary Pioneers pulled off the unthinkable- worst to first.

The team finished at the bottom of the regular season standings in the WinSport Hockey Canada League before battling to the final in playoffs to capture the 2023-24 Norris Division title.

But the team wasn’t just basking in recreation league glory after tossing their gear aside and lifting their trophy- the Pioneers are also celebrating major growth in inclusive hockey in their city.

The team was formed in 2015 to create an open and welcoming space in the sport for people who may not have felt previously accepted because of their background, largely focusing on members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The Pioneers now operate as part of the Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association (CIHA).

CIHA has now grown to more than 70 members in the Calgary area and recently launched a third team.

“It’s very special and it’s a big part of my life,” CIHA President Jason Finnan said. “I genuinely thought that I couldn’t be openly gay and play hockey. It just did not seem like those two things went together, but eventually finding CIHA, our community is so strong. Hockey is Canada’s national sport, there are so many hockey fans out there, and queer people have always been part of that. To be able to have this space for people is really special. It’s very close to my heart. Even outside of Pride Month, we’re always going to be showing our representation and trying to break down those barriers to sport, especially in hockey, to show that this game is for everybody.”

Finnan knows firsthand just how difficult it can be to love a sport when the culture around it doesn’t seem to love you back.

He grew up in a hockey-mad family in New Brunswick and played competitively into his teen years.

When he began grappling with his identity, the tone of many locker room conversations became overwhelming.

“At the time there was a lot of inherent homophobia in hockey, and it’s strange to say that I kind of fell into that when I was younger,” Finnan added. “I didn’t really realize that part of me yet, but there were just so many slurs thrown around constantly in hockey- in the dressing room, on our road trips for tournaments, that was all homophobic. That just really messed with my anxiety and I wasn’t my best self in the hockey world and had to take a break from it for a few years.”

It would still take many years- and a cross-country move to Alberta- before Finnan came out.

When he did, he was introduced to CIHA and other inclusive hockey organizations and events that span the country- including rivalry events like Edmonton’s Ball Hockey Pride Cup and Battle of Alberta, which takes place annually at West Edmonton Mall’s Ice Palace.

CIHA also helps host Western Cup, North America’s longest-running queer multi-sport festival.

The 40th edition of Western Cup saw 130 people on eight teams from as far as Seattle, Chicago and Toronto gather in Calgary in March- capped off by a surprise on-ice engagement between two Seattle players.

“They met at Western Cup the year before and wanted to make it official the second time around, which was super cool,” Finnan recalled. “It really shocked and surprised everyone, and it was just such a cool response from everyone at the tournament, just to be so loving and supportive when they did that.”

On-ice growth and other shows of support give Finnan confidence that things are shifting.

Inclusive teams, once primarily made up of white, gay men, have seen more women, transgender folk and allies join their ranks.

The past few seasons have seen the launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which features many queer athletes and staff, NHL players like CHL alumni Connor McDavid and Travis Dermott support Pride Tape despite an early NHL ban on its use, and two-time WHL Champion Luke Prokop come out, becoming the first openly gay man signed to an NHL contract.

After Prokop’s announcement in 2021, the NHL also made a $100,000 donation to 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, selected in coordination with the Nashville Predators prospect.

CIHA got a $25,000 boost, which has been used to create a scholarship program.

“Hockey is a very expensive sport to play, getting the gear and the registration fees are quite high, so we’ve created this scholarship program to help those that may not be able to afford hockey,” Finnan explained. “They can apply for a scholarship, and then we can cover part of their fees and kind of lead them in the right way if they need help sourcing gear and stuff at a discounted rate, to continue to break down all those other barriers for hockey.”

Registration for the 2024-25 season- and scholarships- are now open on CIHA’s website for people of all skill levels.

One-off, free community skates will also continue as part of the organization’s programming, and Finnan encourages people to come out regardless of their skill level.