About Us

What does the DWHL Offer?

• A place where new players can borrow equipment to join in for the first time, learn what equipment is needed, how to put equipment on, and where to buy good equipment.
• A friendly and fun atmosphere where beginners can learn the basics of skating, stick handling, and game strategy without fear or intimidation, and intermediate players can hone their skills.
• No registration fees for Goalies!
  * Goalies must be a DWHL member. Jersey fee required and other league fees such as USA Hockey may apply. Goaltenders participating in special Goalie Coach sessions may be charged a nominal fee for their participation.

DWHL is a member of USA Hockey and CAHA, which is Colorado's affiliate
of USA Hockey. USA Hockey is the national governing body for the sport of hockey in the United States. DWHL follows USA Hockey Official Rules as well as our own set of DWHL Rules.

DWHL Past, Present, and Future

Women's ice hockey in Colorado has been rapidly growing since the Colorado Avalanche NHL team first entered the scene. Although women's ice hockey has roots in Colorado dating back more than two decades, the interest in becoming a player versus a bystander has increased dramatically.

In November 2000, a woman named Beth Gyurovits believed she had an answer to meet the growing interest of women in hockey in the Denver area, and together with a few volunteers, formed the Denver Women's Hockey League.

According to USA Hockey membership data, "Girls' / Women's continues to experience significant growth". Member statistics from USA Hockey indicate "female ice hockey participation has increased by 6.5 percent from the 2000-01 season and in the last decade, by over 600 percent".

Mission

• To provide an environment in which women can play hockey free from all forms of harassment or discrimination and which encourages fair play, openness and friendship.
• To provide a competitive and social atmosphere which promotes the growth of leadership, coaching, and skill development.

Milestones

• November 2000 – Denver Womens Hockey League is formed.
• January 2001 – DWHL issues first official press release.
• February 2001 – Bylaws filed with the Secretary of State, officially recognizing the DWHL as a not-for-profit organization.
• June 2001 – First league play in the Denver Womens Hockey League, comprised of four inaugural teams: Jets, Nordiques, Northstars and Victorias.
• October 2001 – First fall-winter season for the Denver Womens Hockey League.
• March 2002 – The McNeish cup is awarded to the Jets for first place in the league.
• June 2002 – Denver Womens Hockey League adds a new team, Bombers, to the league.
• October 2002 – Intermediate and Novice divisions are created and the league expands to 7 teams, 3 Intermediate and 4 Novice. Aces team added to the Intermediate division.
• March 2003 – The McNeish cup is awarded to the Nordiques for first place in the Novice division and The Crowley cup is awarded to the Aces for first place in the Intermediate division.
• June 2003 – Intermediate division expands to 4 teams with the addition of the Metros team.
• August 2003 – DWHL forms a competitive team in the WACH - Women's Association of Colorado Hockey, B1 Division - DWHL Spitfires.
• August 2004 - DWHL becomes a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

Goals

• Expanding offerings to include off-ice strength training sessions and game strategy instruction.

The future of the DWHL is a bright one due to the passion and dedication of its current members and board members. Many members dedicate several hours of work per week to organizing and running the DWHL, which is in addition to their full-time employment.

Overall, the DWHL strives to not only provide games, but to provide a pathway to be a better player through general practice sessions, women's mentoring network, community relations activities, promotional activities, and lots of fun!