Saroya Tinker shines in women’s pro hockey

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Last weekend, the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) showcased the stars of women’s professional hockey at an All-Star showdown in Toronto, with 45 players divided into three teams: U.S., Canada and International. They played in a round-robin competition with bragging rights on the line. Among the stars on the triumphant Team Canada was first-time All-Star Saroya Tinker, who plays for the Toronto Six.

“Toronto is a huge market for women’s hockey, and an All-Star competition showcases the women’s game very well,” said Tinker, who grew up in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. “The women’s game is still a struggle, but we’re making huge strides forward in our league…We’re ready for people to start respecting and recognizing female hockey players.”

Tinker is also ready for greater diversity in the sport. She is actively trying to promote access to the sport through the Black Girl Hockey Club, which launched last fall. It gives out scholarships and financial aid, as well as having a mentorship program.

A 2020 graduate of Yale Uni- versity, Tinker was the only Black player on Yale’s women’s hockey team until her senior year.

“When Kiersten Goode came in, she was like a little sister to me and I was a mentor to her,” said Tinker, who found community by joining a sorority and making friends with student-athletes in other sports. “It was a struggle, but at the same time, we learned a lot and we were able to educate people along the way.”

Growing up in Canada, Tinker tried several sports, and most enjoyed being on the ice and the freedom of skating. “I remember times in high school where I would go to open skate, put my headphones in and just do laps,” she said. “The difficulties came along the way, but my dad always stressed to let those things go in one ear and out the other. There were times I felt excluded from my team and did not have a role model to look to, as we see just the first generation of Black female hockey players coming up now.

“We’re looking to build that atmo-