#usa hockey

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xiaq:
Last year, the US women’s hockey team risked everything when they threatened to boycott the world championships in protest against the federation’s lack of compensation and inequitable treatment of its girl’s and women’s programs. Initially, the executive committee attempted to replace the team—but every collegiate, rec-league, and even high school player they approached rebuffed them. Because of this massive alliance by players of all ages, USA hockey’s executive committee finally authorized a new deal where women on the national team could make a living wage, receive team performance bonuses, have insurance coverage, etc. (all things the lesser-performing men’s team has had for decades). Not only did the US women’s team go on to win gold in the world championships, but they now have an Olympic gold medal as well. I could not have more love or respect for these women.
to add weight to this boycott:
this was so successful for two major reasons. First of all, because of the ability of players to present a unified front, and call out USA Hockey every time they lied to the public about how they treat the women in they system. social media posts made sure the women’s side of the boycott was heard and all of social media posts for this boycott- the pictures, the twitter messages, everything- were organized by Hilary Knight
the second reason it was incredibly successful is because every player USA Hockey attempted to turn into scabs refused to play. This was because Captain Meghan Duggan took it upon herself to spend hours personally making over 100 phonecalls to parents, coaches, and players down the pipeline to explain the reason for the boycott and answer any questions these people might have.
They made sure their message was clear and everyone understood the boycott was not just for themselves but for every girl coming up in the system. They know they deserve better than what USA Hockey was getting away with treating them and they knew every little girl who looks up to them as heroes deserve better than how they would be treated by USA Hockey.
This gold medal win was by this team, for this team, for the future of the wnt and goddamnit do they deserve everything in the world for accomplishing everything they’ve accomplished in the past year alone.