Growing up in Wisconsin, Baylee Marabella found herself playing ice hockey with boys because there weren’t enough local girls’ teams. However, the landscape of women’s hockey has changed significantly over the years, with the sport gaining popularity in hockey-rich areas like Wisconsin. This surge in interest propelled Marabella, previously known as Baylee Wellhausen, into a coaching career after playing for Wisconsin in three Frozen Four teams from 2014 to 2018.
Marabella now leads the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s women’s hockey team, which wrapped up its first season in Division III competition. This marks a part of a broader trend, as over two dozen Division III schools have commenced women’s hockey teams in the past ten years, benefiting from lower costs compared to Division I. “It’s incredible,” Marabella remarked about the rapid growth.
Currently, MSOE is one of 78 institutions participating in women’s ice hockey at the Division III level, which doesn’t offer athletic scholarships. This represents a 50% increase since 2015, when there were only 52 teams at this level. Marabella is optimistic that this number will continue to rise, noting the increasing demand among girls eager to play college hockey.
The growth of women’s hockey is not limited to college teams. The Professional Women’s Hockey League is witnessing rising attendance, averaging 7,300 fans this season compared to 5,500 the previous year, with plans to expand by adding more teams. Additionally, USA Hockey reported 73,083 registrations for girls in the 2023-24 season, marking a 47.4% increase since 2013-14, while boys’ registrations saw a smaller climb.
Joe Cranston, the coach of defending champions Wisconsin-River Falls, noted that the improvement in skill levels has made it obvious for colleges to introduce more women’s hockey teams. The Division I level hosts 44 women’s hockey programs, a 12.8% increase since 2015. However, costs remain a hurdle for adding new programs, with Division I requiring substantial investments in rinks, travel, and equipment.
Contrasting these costs, Division III programs, such as Wisconsin-River Falls, manage significantly lower expenses. These disparities highlight the challenges and decisions universities face when considering the addition of women’s hockey teams.
Michelle McAteer, a commissioner of a Division I conference, underscores the expensive nature of operating hockey programs, pointing out the more substantial requirements for Division I in terms of facilities and travel.
Despite these financial challenges, the depth of talent available today suggests there’s capacity for more Division I teams. The quality of play has elevated significantly, with current Division I teams featuring multiple competitive lines, a stark contrast to a decade ago.
This gap in program expansion at higher divisions has opened opportunities for Division III teams. According to Cranston, the competition is fiercer now than ever before, with many talented players who might have played Division I previously now finding places in Division III teams.
In recent years, Division III has seen a variety of champions, signifying increased parity and competition within the league.
Looking ahead, if youth participation in hockey remains strong, small schools are expected to keep adding women’s hockey programs. SUNY Oswego’s athletic director Wendy McManus anticipates eventual stabilization but acknowledges the current growth spurt.
This expansion has offered long-awaited opportunities for players. Marabella has inspired the next generation, like MSOE forward Hannah Baumann, who grew up admiring her. Baumann, like others, faced challenges due to the limited number of girls’ teams during her youth.
Helen Bechthold, another MSOE player, reflects on the changes since her playing days where girls’ teams were scarce. Today, more girls are actively involved in the sport and look up to players like Bechthold, embracing the new opportunities available for them in women’s hockey.
