Men Try to Force Woman Out of Hockey League, But She Refuses to Back Down
Jenna Trubiano, a 29-year-old hockey player and head coach of the University of Michigan women’s club hockey team, has been facing discrimination in an adult hockey league in Metro Detroit. Trubiano, who grew up playing hockey in Michigan, was shocked when she was hit by an opponent in a no-checking hockey league and told to “stay on your feet, this is a men’s league.”
Trubiano, who has had negative experiences as a woman in adult leagues before, shared her disturbing experience on social media. She described how she was repeatedly harassed by multiple players on the opposing team, who told her to “join a women’s league” and reminded her that “this is a men’s league.” The incident was captured on video footage reviewed by The Athletic, confirming Trubiano’s claims.
The league in question is open to all adults and does not have any gender restrictions. Al Zawacky, the founder of Michigan Sports Enterprises, which oversees the league, stated that the organization is investigating the matter and does not tolerate sexism, misogyny, or discrimination. He emphasized that their goal is for people to play hockey and have fun.
Trubiano sought an apology from the opposing team’s players, hoping to educate them about why their comments were inappropriate. However, she received no apology from them. She decided to make her experience public to raise awareness about the ongoing discrimination faced by women in sports.
Despite not wanting to escalate the situation further, Trubiano’s post on social media went viral. The response has been mostly positive, with many prominent members of the hockey community expressing support for her. NHL agent Allan Walsh called the behavior “disgusting and repulsive.”
One question that has been raised is why Trubiano’s teammates did not defend her on the ice. Trubiano explained that she wanted to handle the situation herself and asked her teammates to respect her decision. However, one teammate confirmed that he heard the derogatory comments and expressed frustration over the situation.
Trubiano has been playing in the league since September and has no plans to leave. Despite the discrimination she has faced, she is determined to continue playing and coaching hockey.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of gender discrimination in sports and serves as a reminder that more work needs to be done to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for women in traditionally male-dominated sports like hockey. Trubiano’s bravery in speaking out against this discrimination is commendable, and her experience should serve as a catalyst for change in the hockey community.