November 1, 2024
With 25 member institutions in five provinces having women's hockey programs, the CCAA has signalled that it is looking for a host and a date for an invitational tournament. The item was one of many listed under the strategic direction heading "Provide opportunities for student-athletes to experience a national championship" in the 2024-25 CCAA Operating Guide.
Over two decades ago, Red Deer College and John Abbott College led an effort to have women’s hockey established as a national championship sport. The institutions located in Alberta and Quebec hosted each other’s teams in an effort to raise awareness for the sport. In the absence of adequate competition in the other conferences, a true national championship did not materialize.
Women's hockey is sanctioned in two conferences - the ACAC and the RSEQ. Alberta has six member institutions participating in the sport, while Quebec has six member institutions fielding teams in Division I and six member institutions fielding teams in Division II.
According to the 2024-25 CCAA Sports Annual, Assiniboine Community College in Manitoba, St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, Holland College in Prince Edward Island as well as Canadore College, College Boreal, Le College La Cite and Sault College in Ontario also operate women's hockey programs.
Although men's hockey programs exist in five provinces, there is not a similar initiative in the works.