Emerance Maschmeyer was raised on a farm near Bruderheim, Alberta, and had a passion for playing hockey and a goal of making it to the NHL.
In a recent interview with Global News, she mentioned that as females, they all used to say, 'I want to play in the NHL too,' but they didn't consider it a realistic goal.
She mentioned that the thought of playing professionally in a women’s pro league didn't even cross their minds because such an option didn't exist at that time.
Now, Maschmeyer plays as the goaltender for Ottawa’s team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and its first season is already being hailed as a huge success.
The 29-year-old expressed that she has been thoroughly enjoying her time, wearing a big smile.
“Every day I have to kind of wake up and say, ‘Is this really happening? This is finally coming true?’ And it has come true.”
Maschmeyer has participated in 18 games for Ottawa this season, more than any other goaltender in the PWHL. Her team is currently in fourth place in the standings, meaning they would qualify for the playoffs if they started today.
Maschmeyer explained that she feels their team is becoming more consistent in their play and their d-zone is performing excellently, with everyone contributing to their success.
This season, the Olympic gold medalist has an impressive 2.33 goals-against average with Ottawa and a .911 save percentage. She is tied for second in wins among PWHL goaltenders, and recently achieved her first shutout in the league with a 3-0 win against New York.
She expressed how nice it felt to achieve a shutout, considering the high level of competition in the league.
Although Maschmeyer has played professional hockey before, she feels that her experience in the new league exceeds anything she has encountered before, comparing the excitement to playing for Canada at the international level.
She emphasized that her current professional experience is exceptional, with adequate resources, salaries, and professional treatment, which she hasn't experienced to this extent before.
She mentioned that while there was a lot of excitement surrounding the league at the start of the season, she didn't realize the extent of the fan base and its growth.
A picture shows Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer being scored on by Montreal’s Tereza Vanisova during a PWHL hockey game in Montreal, dated Saturday, February 24, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A picture shows PWHL Ottawa celebrating after their win against Toronto in a PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, dated Saturday, March 23, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A picture shows Montreal’s Laura Stacey and Kristin O’Neill approaching Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer during a PWHL hockey game in Laval, Quebec, dated Sunday, March 10, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Emerance Maschmeyer, the hockey player, grew up on a farm near Bruderheim, Alberta.
Global News
Maschmeyer admitted that other PWHL teams have been successful in attracting fans to games, but she spoke extensively about what she has observed in the nation’s capital where she works.
“In Ottawa, almost all our games are completely full, which is amazing, especially when it’s a Wednesday game after work,” she mentioned.
“To see the consistent support throughout the entire season, not just our first game or home opener, has been really great.”
Maschmeyer shared with Global News about her childhood goal of playing for Team Canada and the Olympics after realizing that an NHL career was highly unlikely. She explained that the path to achieve her goals involved playing hockey in boys leagues.
“I grew up playing hockey in Fort Saskatchewan, all the way until midget. In my last year, I played for the Lloydminster Bobcats in the AJHL,” she remembered.
“That was my final year playing boys hockey before I went to college. I attended Harvard University for four years.”
Before leaving Harvard, Maschmeyer was named a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as a sophomore. When she left, she also held the record for most saves in the program's history.
After that, she went on to play for Team Canada and Team Alberta and participated in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, which ceased operations in 2019. In that league, Maschmeyer was honored as the 2018-19 Goaltender of the Year.
She also competed in the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, which was established after the CWHL ceased operations.
“(The PWHPA) was attempting to establish this league and secure the necessary support and investment,” Maschmeyer explained. “Playing professionally in a women’s pro league wasn’t even a consideration because there was nothing like it. The dream only really emerged in the last four or five years, probably after our league folded, and we realized, 'We really need a professional league. It’s time.'
“And now here I am. My dream has come true.”
