Evening the Score in Pro Sports

Women’s influence in pro sports is growing, just ask Kim Ng, the first female GM in the MLB.

On Friday November 13, 2020, the Miami Marlins announced Kim Ng as the club’s General Manager. This marked a first for the organization, the league, and professional sports in North America. Ng (pronounced Ang) stood out among a shortlist of candidates having won three World Series rings with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers over 21 years. For the past nine seasons she was Major League Baseball’s senior vice-president.

And while Ng may grab the title for highest position by a woman in a professional sports organization, she’s hardly the only female to make splash in the big four North American leagues. As Kim Ng takes over the reins in Miami to make history in the MLB, we take a look around the NHL and celebrate a few of the women making strides in our game.

Kendall Coyne Schofield – Chicago Blackhawks

In 2019, Kendall Coyne Schofield added her name to history by becoming the first female hockey player to compete in the NHL All Star game. In 2020, she’s following that up with another entry. This time it’s as the Chicago Blackhawks’ first female coach. The 28-year-old has been named a Player Development Coach with Chicago's top minor league affiliate in Rockford, Illinois, and will specialize in youth hockey growth.

Dawn Braid – Arizona Coyotes

Dawn Braid is the first woman to take on a full-time coaching role in the NHL as Skating Coach for the Arizona Coyotes. Braid brings a wealth of experience to her new position having previously coached John Tavares, Taylor Hall, and Matthew Tkachuk privately. She also spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames as a part-time skating coach. Her clients speak highly of her but more importantly, their consistent and elite performance speaks volumes of her abilities. 

Hayley Wickenheiser – Toronto Maple Leafs

Hayley Wickenheiser has an impressive resume that boasts five Olympic medals (four gold, one silver), two Olympic tournament MVPs, and a soon to be completed doctorate in medicine from the University of Calgary. But before that, she added the role of Assistant Director of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs to her CV. In 2018, the ‘original six’ club tapped Wickenheiser to take on the position and help guide their young talent. As one of Canada’s most successful hockey players and a recipient of the Order of Canada, she is ideally suited to provide coaching on the necessary on and off-ice skills to excel at the highest level.