Ohio State’s women’s hockey program has been among the NCAA’s best in recent years, with five straight national title game appearances and titles in 2022 and 2024. But some players say there could be an even bigger game on the horizon. That is, if Michigan finally adds a varsity team.
One of college sports’ fiercest rivalries could gain a new installment if the University of Michigan goes forward with calls to add a varsity women’s hockey team. The Wolverines’ counterparts in Columbus look forward to the day that happens.
“It’d be awesome,” Ohio State alumna Emma Peschel said shortly after becoming the New York Sirens’ first-round draft pick at Fox Theatre. “I think everyone sees the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. All of the M’s are crossed off across campus when that (football) game comes around, and we all know it’s the biggest one of the year, regardless — it’s bigger than the national championship sometimes. So, I think to be able to have that rivalry, obviously we have a pretty hot one with Wisconsin, but to add Michigan to that would be so fun.”
Big Ten foes Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State and Penn State all have women’s hockey teams, but the state of Michigan hasn’t had any women’s college hockey since 2011, when Wayne State’s program folded. Michigan and Michigan State have ACHA club teams, but neither have varsity status.
In recent years, calls for the University of Michigan to add a varsity program have grown, including a 2024 call by University of Michigan regent Denise Ilitch, who played a role in bringing a PWHL team to Detroit with this year’s round of expansion. Having a pro team in close proximity elevates the pitch to add at the college level.
“I hope we’re a catalyst for more in the university and college levels everywhere,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations, in May. “But certainly here in Michigan, we feel like there’s certainly some room for growth.”
The biggest issue holding back Michigan’s addition is facilities, and at an even deeper level, money. Yost Ice Arena is too small to fit two full-time teams (it’s a squeeze for one varsity team on some game days, with a visiting locker room curtained off in a back hallway).
A feasibility study by Collegiate Sports Associates in 2024 identified the cheapest path forward to adding space for a women’s team will cost $50 million. A new arena for both teams would cost at least $300 million. And it would cost $4.1 million per year to operate a women’s team.
That feasibility study provided data, but it didn’t deter the push for Michigan to add a team. Ilitch has continued to stump for a team, and it’s referenced routinely by the state’s hockey leaders, including PWHL Detroit general manager Manon Rheaume, the first woman to play in an NHL game back in 1992.
Rheaume said she got emotional announcing Detroit’s first-round pick, Swiss goaltender Andrea Brändli, in front of a Fox Theatre crowd that roared for its newest team. Brändli, 29, also played her college hockey at Ohio State.
For Rheaume, it was special to see Little Caesars AAA players in the crowd who might one day play college or pro hockey, with more local options to do so.
“It was special to just see so many of them that were here tonight, either they were here for the draft or they were here just to watch the draft,” Rheaume said. “It was very special because it means so much to them. They grew up here in Michigan not even having college hockey to go watch, and not having professional women’s hockey to watch, and now they have a chance to see those women being drafted.”
In the meantime, the five Buckeyes picked in the draft say it’d be special to add that historic rivalry to their ice.
“Michigan has always had great hockey,” Buckeyes goaltender Hailey MacLeod said after being picked by the Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire. “I think they do deserve to have a team. It does help with the rivalry. Because I’m from Ohio State, I can’t say too many good things about Michigan, but I’m very happy that they have a (pro) hockey team up here for women to play in.”
“I was lucky enough to go to an Ohio State-Michigan football (game),” Ohio State alum and Toronto Sceptres draftee Brooke Disher said. “And I mean, the rivalry will probably not track as many fans as that did, but it’ll be something special, I think. Any opportunity to get a new program and just grow the game further is something special.”
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Ohio State PWHL picks on board for Michigan women’s hockey team
Reporting by Connor Earegood, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Connor Earegood, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
