Just hours before picks started to be announced at the 2025 PWHL Draft, a different kind of draft-day energy filled the room. The Professional Women’s Hockey League, in partnership with Strong Girls United, hosted a powerful youth mentorship event that brought together 100 girls from the Ottawa area for a two-hour, high-energy session filled with connection, confidence-building and unforgettable inspiration.
This wasn’t just a pre-draft promotional stop—it was a movement. Aimed at girls in grades 8-11, the event was built around one goal: to empower the next generation of girls in hockey and keep them in the game.
By age 14, girls drop out of sports at nearly twice the rate of boys. One of the biggest reasons? A lack of visible, relatable role models. This mentorship activation was designed to change that narrative. Through the support of the PWHL and the expertise of SGU, the young athletes were introduced to role models who’ve walked the path before them.
Three PWHL stars—Laura Stacey of the Montréal Victoire along with Brianne Jenner and Rebecca Leslie of the hometown Ottawa Charge—were central figures at the event, engaging directly with the girls and offering their personal stories. Other players who spent time with the guests in breakout sessions and shared further insights were Jamie Lee Rattray, Allie Munroe, Emmy Fecteau and Claire DeGeorge. For many of the participants, hearing these professionals speak candidly about their challenges and successes was one of the most impactful parts of the day.
As one participant put it, “Hearing some of the PWHL players talk and answer questions about their journey… it made me believe I could do it too.” Another highlighted what it meant to connect one-on-one: “I loved talking to the PWHL players before the draft about their careers and what it was like.”
Beyond the excitement generated by autographs and experiencing draft-day glamour, the event tackled another critical topic for young athletes: mental health. Through structured exercises and reflective journaling, the girls explored tools for self-regulation, confidence and resilience.
The message was clear: even the pros feel pressure, nerves, and setbacks—but they also have the tools to manage those feelings and bounce back. The value of these messages was clear in some of the reflections from participants, including “I learned new breathing techniques” and “ways to calm down in nervous situations—and that even pros experience them.”
Between small group discussions, journal exercises, and informal moments like playing “rock-paper-scissors with Rebecca Leslie,” as one participant relayed, the atmosphere was fun and friendly.
Each participant left with a swag bag full of keepsakes, a handbook on mental fitness, and perhaps most importantly, a renewed belief in their own potential.
While the girls left inspired, parents who attended may have been even more moved. In post-event feedback, parents called the experience, amongst other platitudes, “Incredibly meaningful” and “Very powerful… this was just what she needed.”
Another wrote, “We are so very appreciative of this event you put together. This will be a memory that lives on for her.” 
From the PWHL side of things, the day was a huge success. “Our Draft Mentorship event created space for young athletes to connect directly with pros, ask questions, and see themselves in the sport they love,” said Erin Ostlund, the Director, Social Responsibility for the league. “These aren’t just feel-good moments, they’re game-changers. When girls see what’s possible and feel truly supported, they stay in the game longer and dream even bigger.”
Perhaps the most rewarding feedback from the event was that every single attendee said they’d be interested in joining a longer-term mentorship program with PWHL. So Draft Day 2025 should be just the tip of the iceberg.
You must be logged in to post a comment.