“You only wish you could play like a girl.”
This message of athletic empowerment is a central theme in She Plays Hockey, the company that we created that provides high quality hockey wear designed specifically for girls and women. We are Cindy Nickerson and Lori Nickerson, sisters-in-law who share a passion for the game as players, as hockey moms and as entrepreneurs.
Female players are proud to show their hockey spirit, but don’t want to look like they’ve raided their brother’s closet. Girl’s and women’s hockey has exploded over the past decade or so, with leagues and teams popping up in growing numbers, and She Plays Hockey serves these players.
She Plays Hockey was appropriately conceived at the hockey rink. We saw a void in the sportswear market for female hockey apparel and accessories. As passionate players ourselves, we realized that male hockey attire wasn’t meeting the needs of female hockey players. So we launched their own line of hockey wear designed specifically for the female hockey player physique and attitude.
We focused on the two priorities we knew were important: an unyielding focus on high quality products, and a sense of fun. We only carry products that are comfortable both on and off the ice, and that are designed to last a long time. Plus, with our slogans and designs, there’s no mistaking this is hockey gear for girls and women.
The She Plays Hockey product line has everything from t-shirts, sweatshirts and pants, equipment undergarments, hats, hoodies and more, all with women and girls in mind. We started by selling our gear at hockey tournaments and the response was both immediate and overwhelming. We couldn’t believe how quickly we sold out. Girls, women and parents all responded very strongly and positively to our products. The instant demand we experienced validated our belief that the female hockey market was under-served, and that our product line was on target.
Despite the rapid growth of our company, we have managed to keep our priorities in order: we’re still active hockey players and moms. On the ice we pay attention to the red line, blue line and goal line. Off ice, we can focus on the bottom line of She Plays Hockey.
This is too cool! I have a 5 year old girl who wants to play hockey and I am definitely going to keep this cool stuff in mind.
I love this! I too have discovered I am a ‘later in life hockey junky’!! I started playing this year and have now attached myself to two leagues – much to the delight of my kids and especially my husband who proclaims, ‘you really get it now how much I love this sport!’ What I have noticed is the huge lack of product and selection for women – even the equipment is slowly catching up but the outerwear is geared mainly for men. How do we get our hands on this line?