McKenna Bieger | Ice Hockey
I play ice hockey in a Women’s Development Program in Anaheim, CA! I started back in December 2024. I was never super involved in sports as a kid and grew up doing theatre. I loved watching hockey and didn’t think it would be feasible for me to play, but I had a voice in my head telling me I should go for it so I did!
What do you love most about being involved in sports as an adult?
I love the community. I love being surrounded by women who are as passionate about the sport as I am. I love watching all of us grow together and get better every week. It’s the coolest thing ever to have a support system built into the game.
Why do you think it's important for women to play sports in adulthood? WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO PLAY?
It gives you something that you get to call yours. It’s not for a paycheck, it’s not a job or a chore, it’s just fun. Yes, I take myself way too seriously on the ice for a rec league, but at the end of the day I’m just happy to be there and have something that I can call my own and my home-away-from-home. I think all women should be able to have that outlet for fun and ambition in their lives.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BIGGEST BENEFIT SPORT GIVES YOU?
Hockey taught me to be assertive I’ve always been a very composed person and would take the back seat on a lot of things, but I’ve definitely become a lot tougher since starting hockey & learning defense. Playing sports has also given me a lot more energy and drive to go out and do things since I feel more alive and alert too.
What's the best advice you have for other women who want to play sports?
Just jump right in! When I was contemplating if I should try hockey, I asked a panel of women at the Anaheim Duck’s Women in Sports night what I should do and how could I be involved with nothing but a love of the sport in my skillset. Angela Ruggiero told me to just go for it and get on the ice and give it my whole heart. I still follow that every time I lace up my skates, and I think it’s what every woman should hear when they start playing sports. If you think you can do it, you can do it (and you’ll have a community that’s got your back guaranteed!!)