In a show of solidarity, the US men’s hockey team has decided to boycott the World Championships. The move comes after the women’s team announced that it would not participate after failing to reach an agreement with USA hockey over fair wages and suitable equipment. Some of players, including Hilary Knight, posted a full statement regarding the team’s decision on social media.
US WNT will not play in 2017 World Championship due to stalled negotiations over fair wages and support from USA Hockey #BeBoldForChange pic.twitter.com/qEXVyoKE6y
— Hilary Knight (@HilaryKnight) March 15, 2017
If the team does not play and USA hockey does not find a replacement team, USA hockey will be forced to pay a $15,000 fine. The 2017 IIHF World Championship is expected to start next week. The men are not scheduled to play until May in France and Germany, however, they are already showing their support. NHL agent Allan Walsh tweeted out the players’ support for the women yesterday.
Word circulating among NHL players that American players will refuse to play in men's World Championships in solidarity with the women.
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) March 26, 2017
Bravo to the players who chose to stand with the women’s team. It is time athletes took a stand against unequal wages. USA hockey remains silent and is still looking for a replacement team to compete. The organization has gone as far as to recruit players from under 16 leagues, as in putting teenagers against professional female hockey players is a good idea.
It is time for USA hockey to reach out to the women players before this gets even uglier. What the women are asking for is not unreasonable, especially considering what they have done for hockey. There is so much potential for women’s hockey to expand and this is the first, but very necessary step. With the growth of the NWHL it is clear that women want to play, but deserve exactly what their male counterparts receive without even having to ask.
