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New women's hockey league likely to attract Olympic talent

photo from Dani Rylan linkedin page

The National Women's Hockey League opens this fall with four franchises, including the Buffalo Beauts who will play home games at HARBORCENTER. League commissioner Dani Rylan says fans can expect an entertaining, fast-paced game.

Though play doesn't begin until this fall, fans can get can get an early glimpse during training camps at HARBORCENTER, Saturday from 6:15-7:45 p.m. and Sunday from 3:45-5:15 p.m.

"Even though there's no open-ice checking, the women's game is still a very physical game," Rylan told WBFO News.

"The flow of the game is extremely fast-paced. A lot of people do enjoy watching the women's game. You can see the play develop. You can see the passes."

In an ever-crowded sports landscape, Rylan believes her league will find its place. With only four teams and 72 players, fans are sure to see skilled, highly-motivated players.

"It's fair to say that all the players in this league will be training to compete in the next Olympics," Rylan said.

"There are little girls who want to grow up to be professional hockey players and their parents want them to have that dream as well."

Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Jay joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2008 and has been local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" ever since. In June, 2022, he was named one of the co-hosts of WBFO's "Buffalo, What's Next."

A graduate of St. Mary's of the Lake School, St. Francis High School and Buffalo State College, Jay has worked most of his professional career in Buffalo. Outside of public media, he continues in longstanding roles as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and as play-by-play voice of Canisius College basketball.