U.S. Hockey Star Haley Winn Praises Olympics for Boosting Women's Pro League

Winn says PWHL games sold out quickly after teammate Megan Keller's gold medal-winning goal

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:09pm

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Haley Winn, a 22-year-old defensive player for the Boston Fleet in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), spoke with PEOPLE about the positive impact the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan has had on the women's pro league. Winn, who made her Olympic debut and won gold with Team USA, said the Olympics helped put a spotlight on the PWHL, leading to an immediate sell-out of the Fleet's upcoming game at the TD Garden arena in Boston.

Why it matters

The Olympics have historically struggled to generate widespread interest and viewership for women's hockey, but Winn's comments suggest the 2026 Games were able to capture the public's attention and drive new fans to the PWHL. This could lead to increased investment, media coverage, and overall growth for the women's pro league.

The details

Winn, who was the second overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft, said that after her teammate Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada and clinch gold for the U.S. women's hockey team, the Fleet's upcoming game at the TD Garden in Boston sold out immediately. Winn believes the Olympics helped showcase the high level of play in the PWHL, surprising some fans who didn't realize "how good we were." She is excited to return to the Fleet and continue the team's strong season, as they currently have a 13-4 record and are on a six-game win streak.

  • Haley Winn made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
  • The U.S. women's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on February 19, 2026 to win the gold medal.
  • The Boston Fleet's upcoming game at the TD Garden in Boston sold out immediately after Megan Keller's game-winning goal.

The players

Haley Winn

A 22-year-old defensive player for the Boston Fleet in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She was selected 2nd overall in the 2025 PWHL Draft.

Megan Keller

Haley Winn's teammate on the U.S. women's hockey team who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada and win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Boston Fleet

The professional women's hockey team that Haley Winn plays for, based in Lowell, Massachusetts. They are scheduled to play a special game at the TD Garden arena in Boston on April 11.

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What they’re saying

“I think the Olympics did a great job of putting eyes especially on women's hockey. I think the PWHL is definitely going to grow so much and have so much more exposure.”

— Haley Winn, Hockey Player

“I heard right after Keller scored the overtime winner, our TD [Garden] game was already doing well and I think it sold out right away.”

— Haley Winn, Hockey Player

“I think people realized the heights of women's hockey, and they were surprised to see how good we were.”

— Haley Winn, Hockey Player

What’s next

The Boston Fleet have a special game scheduled at the TD Garden arena in Boston on April 11, which will be the first PWHL game played at the famed NHL venue.

The takeaway

The 2026 Winter Olympics have helped drive newfound interest and excitement around the Professional Women's Hockey League, with Haley Winn's Boston Fleet seeing an immediate boost in ticket sales for an upcoming game at the TD Garden. This suggests the Olympics were successful in putting a greater spotlight on the skill and talent of women's hockey players, which could lead to further growth and investment in the PWHL going forward.