by: Robert Brent
As Jillian Dempsey was growing up in Winthrop, Massachusetts, there was no major women’s professional hockey league to aspire to play in; Now, she’s the most decorated player in the history of the Premier Hockey Federation.
The PHF is entering their first season under the new name, previously playing under the banner of the National Women’s Hockey League, and will mark the league’s seventh season overall. Dempsey has been a mainstay, playing for the Boston Pride since their inception. In that time, the Massachusetts native has racked up league records, including setting the high watermark for goals, assists, games played and points.
PHF ALL-TIME GOAL SCORERS
1. Jillian Dempsey 49
2. Madison Packer 42
3. Allie Thunstrom 30
4-T. Brianna Decker 28
4-T. McKenna Brand 28
More than just individual accomplishments, Dempsey has helped foster a tradition of winning with the Pride as well, captaining the team to a championship in 2021, with the championship series being featured on the NBC Sports Network. In talking to SheIS, Dempsey discussed winning the championship in her hometown;
"I'm incredibly lucky to have played the entirety of my hockey career at home. There's something different about representing where we come from. I'm very passionate about where I come from and the culture we have - the drive for excellence we have. Bringing banners back to this city is something I take tremendous pride in."
Jillian Dempsey and the Boston Pride defeated the Minnesota Whitecaps to capture the 2021 Isobel Cup. (Via: NBC Sports)
Having played in the PHF since their very first season, Dempsey has seen the league undergo a lot of changes. The federation originally started with four teams and has since expanded into Toronto and Minnesota for its fifth and sixth teams respectively. Perhaps even more importantly, the PHF recently signed a deal with ESPN+ to broadcast games on the “worldwide leader of sports” streaming service. Dempsey talked about the importance of the TV deal, saying;
“We’re absolutely thrilled. Getting to have these kinds of platforms to showcase and promote our game is something we’ve been working towards. It increases accessibility, and we’re just excited to get the game out there.”
This deal represents the first time women’s professional hockey will have such a large platform and opportunity to be seen by a wide audience.
The PHF and ESPN+ will bring women’s hockey an unprecedented level of visibility. Dempsey herself didn’t have a professional league to aspire to when she was growing up, instead being inspired by the women’s national teams in the Olympics as well as her hometown Harvard University team, a school she would later go on to play her college hockey for. Because of the work of her hockey heroes before her, Dempsey now has the chance to play on a stage that will inspire future generations, showing them that if they want to play, there is a place to do it.
The Boston Pride forward now hopes to leave the game in a better place than it was when she arrived; much like her predecessors before her, citing players like Angela Ruggerio, Cammi Granato and Julie Chu. Dempsey spoke to us about this goal, saying;
"Every game or interaction with a young fan, whether it be in the autograph line or outside the rink, any coaching opportunity or chance to make a difference. It really puts into perspective how much of an impact we have playing women's professional hockey and growing the game... It's a true privilege to be in this position and have the opportunity to play the game that we love so much while moving it forward for those who come next."
Jillian Dempsey has continued to produce at an elite level for the Boston Pride, registering three points in the team's six games so far. Dempsey's impact is seen past the scoresheet, however, as she describes her style of play as a strong two-way centre that likes to play with a bit of grit while playing responsible defense.
JILLIAN DEMPSEY 2021-22 STATS
Games Played | Goals | Assists | Shots | Plus/Minus
6 | 1 | 2 | 15 | +2
Team SheIS would like to thank Jillian Dempsey for talking with us, as well as for all the work she does pushing the game of women's hockey forward. You can see her and the Boston Pride take the ice on ESPN+ and follow Dempsey on social media on her profiles linked below.