Nikayla Small: Hometown Hero in the Northern Super League
Release Date: 06/05/2025
Emerance Maschmeyer & Genevieve Lacasse: Power partners in women’s hockey
Women Are Players Too
In this re-aired conversation from the PWHL’s first season (it's a good one!), host Eva Hartling sits down with two standout figures in women’s hockey—PWHL Ottawa Charge goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer and former Team Canada goaltender turned PWHL front-office leader Genevieve Lacasse. Both Olympic gold medalists, Emerance and Genevieve share their journeys from elite competition to shaping the future of the sport. They reflect on the significance of the PWHL’s historic debut, the progress it represents for women in professional sports, and the ways their shared passion for hockey fuels...
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Manon Rheaume: The first woman in the NHL
Women Are Players Too
In this episode of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO, host Eva Hartling shares a special conversation originally recorded for THE BRAND IS FEMALE podcast with hockey trailblazer Manon Rhéaume—the first and only woman to play in an NHL game, who now works for the LA Kings. From breaking barriers with the Tampa Bay Lightning to taking part in the Olympics and mentoring the next generation of players, Manon has spent her entire career rewriting the rules of the game. She opens up about the pressure of being “the first,” the state of women’s hockey today, and what gives her hope as she watches the...
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Emma Maltais: Building the Future of Women’s Hockey
Women Are Players Too
Host Eva Hartling sits down with Emma Maltais, forward for PWHL's Toronto Sceptres—and one of the standout players from the league’s historic first two seasons. Recorded just after the inaugural season wrapped last year, this conversation captures a pivotal moment in women’s hockey—when the Professional Women’s Hockey League was still a bold new experiment, and athletes like Emma were helping bring it to life. A former standout at Ohio State and Team Canada regular, Emma quickly became known for her speed, tenacity, and playmaking instincts. Now a core part of the Toronto Sceptres...
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Annie Larouche: Working Towards Equity in Women's Soccer
Women Are Players Too
In this episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with Annie Larouche, President of Montreal’s new women’s soccer club in the inaugural season of the Northern Super League (NSL). With a career spanning close to three decades in professional sports, Annie is one of the rare women to have held leadership roles in multiple major franchises in Quebec, including the Alouettes and the Alliance de Montréal. Now, she’s helping launch a new era for women’s soccer in Canada. From her early days as a cheerleader to becoming a respected executive and advocate for equity in sport, Annie’s journey is...
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Nikayla Small: Hometown Hero in the Northern Super League
Women Are Players Too
In this episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with one of Canada's brightest young soccer talents: a dynamic midfielder for AFC Toronto in the inaugural season of the Northern Super League (NSL). Born and raised in Pickering, Ontario, Nikayla's journey has taken her from local pitches to international stages, and now back home, where she's making history in Canada's first professional women's soccer league. A former captain of Canada's U-20 Women's National Team and standout at Wake Forest University, Nikayla brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field. Since signing with AFC...
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Karell Emard: Chasing Change in Women's Hockey
Women Are Players Too
In this episode of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO, host Eva Hartling sits down with Karell Émard — former pro hockey player, coach, analyst, and PWHL agent who's now officially Chief, Athlete Strategy & Innovation with — to talk about her incredible journey through the game and her ongoing impact on the future of women’s hockey. From playing on boys’ teams as a kid, to captaining St. Lawrence University, to winning the Clarkson Cup with Les Canadiennes de Montréal, Karell has worn just about every hat in the hockey world. After helping lead the charge with the PWHPA (pre-PWHL), she’s...
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Jessica Campbell: Breaking the ice in the NHL
Women Are Players Too
Welcome to the first episode of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO, the podcast that’s all about the women who aren’t just playing the game in pro sports in Canada – they’re changing it. In this inaugural episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with Jessica Campbell, a true history-maker in hockey. In July 2024, Jessica shattered one of the toughest glass ceilings in sports, becoming an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken and making history as the first woman to coach behind the bench in an NHL game by the fall. From coaching internationally in Sweden to becoming the first woman to stand behind the...
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Welcome to Women Are Players Too
Women Are Players Too
Professional women’s sports in Canada are on the rise, and WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is here to capture this historic moment. From the PWHL’s groundbreaking debut to the WNBA’s expansion to Toronto and the Northern Super League’s impact on women’s soccer, this podcast dives into the stories behind these game-changing milestones. Join host Eva Hartling for bi-weekly conversations with the athletes, coaches, and industry leaders who are rewriting the playbook and breaking barriers in sports. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that are shaping the...
info_outlineIn this episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with one of Canada's brightest young soccer talents: Nikayla Small, a dynamic midfielder for AFC Toronto in the inaugural season of the Northern Super League (NSL). Born and raised in Pickering, Ontario, Nikayla's journey has taken her from local pitches to international stages, and now back home, where she's making history in Canada's first professional women's soccer league.
A former captain of Canada's U-20 Women's National Team and standout at Wake Forest University, Nikayla brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field. Since signing with AFC Toronto in January 2025, she's quickly become a key playmaker, leading the league in assists and earning recognition as one of the NSL's top performers.
In our conversation, Nikayla shares her excitement about playing professionally in front of family and friends, the significance of the NSL for young Canadian athletes, and her aspirations for the future of women's soccer in Canada. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her journey, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in achieving one's goals.
Whether you're a longtime soccer fan or new to the sport, Nikayla's story offers inspiration and insight into the evolving landscape of women's soccer in Canada. Tune in to hear her perspective on making history, building community, and the joy of playing the game she loves.
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