A couple months ago I toured the brand-new Rosemont Ice Arena. Yesterday I saw it filled with hockey fans as the Professional Women’s Hockey League held an open practice.
Located on 3 acres just west of Chicago, it is a $34.5 million, state-of-the-art facility. Within the 103,000-square-foot building are two full-sized hockey rinks, Hatty’s Club, a physical therapy clinic and more. The facility offers ice time for youth hockey and evening adult leagues. The Chicago Wolves professional hockey team also practices there, just minutes away from AllState Arena, their home.
The PWHL debuted with four teams in the 2023–24 season, with four teams added the second season. The Minnesota Frost won the championship each season and is currently in second place, early in the 30-game season.
The Frost and Ottawa Charge were in town for the first game in the Chicago Takeover. There is no team based in Chicago, but through the Takeover tour, two games were scheduled here (December and March). The Takeover Tour includes 16 neutral-site games played outside current PWHL cities. My thought or, perhaps, hope is it will lead to expansion to Chicago.
© PWHL
© PWHL
© PWHL
The two-hour practice was followed by an autograph session, much to the delight of many young girl players and some older hockey fans, too. I met Ottawa coach Carla MacLeod, along with a few of the players, including Gwyneth Philips, Katerina Mrazova, Taylor House and Anna Meixner.
Carla MacLeod
Gwyneth Philips
Katerina Mrazova
Taylor House
Anna Meixner
Later, players took the ice again for teaching clinics. It was wonderful seeing so many young girls learning about hockey.
Mutual appreciation was shown between the teams and fans. As a long-time, staunch supporter of women’s sports, this was wonderful to see. Especially with the increasing popularity of women’s sports, I believe there will be expansion to Chicago. I just hope it is for next season.
Before leaving, I popped into Hatty’s for a quick bite and visit with general manager and old friend Mike Avella. Part sports bar, part supper club, Hatty’s Club is casual yet elegant, with a cool vibe. It offers table and bar seating along with another area overlooking the ice rinks. The menu features salads, appetizers, burgers, pizza and a few entrées. Hatty’s Club also has Nomad Taco, a mobile taco business based in nearby Mount Prospect.
© Hatty’s Club
© Hatty’s Club
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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