Vegas Golden Knights Launch All-Girls Hockey Program

Wickfest 2026, one of the world's largest girls' hockey events, makes its U.S. debut in Las Vegas with support from the NHL team.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Vegas Golden Knights have partnered with Wickfest, a renowned girls' hockey festival created by Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser, to host the event's first-ever U.S. edition in Las Vegas. The three-day celebration featured 600 players across 35 teams, with Nevada teams reaching the finals in all four divisions. Alongside Wickfest, the Golden Knights also launched their first all-girls learn-to-play program, drawing 45 participants.

Why it matters

The event underscores the growing popularity of women's hockey and the Golden Knights' commitment to growing the sport at the grassroots level, particularly among young girls. The festival's debut in the U.S. and the Knights' new all-girls program aim to further drive female participation in hockey, which has seen a significant increase in Nevada since the team's arrival.

The details

Wickfest, which has impacted more than 30,000 female players worldwide, featured on- and off-ice coaching sessions led by seven female ambassadors. The festival kicked off with a dance party at the Aria Resort and Casino and continued at rinks across the Las Vegas area. The 14U Las Vegas Storm captured gold in its division.

  • Wickfest 2026 made its United States debut in Las Vegas on February 23, 2026.
  • The festival is scheduled to return to Las Vegas in 2027, with dates to be announced.

The players

Hayley Wickenheiser

An Olympic gold medalist and the creator of Wickfest, one of the world's largest girls' hockey events.

Vegas Golden Knights

An NHL team that partnered with Wickfest to host the event's first-ever U.S. edition in Las Vegas and launched their first all-girls learn-to-play program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I thought what's the legacy I'm able to leave and after the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, winning gold medal in our home country, it's like what's the next thing to grow the game and here we are 16 years later and it's been an amazing explosion, we work with 40,000 girls across the world and our first time in the U.S., we're excited to be here.”

— Hayley Wickenheiser (x1075lasvegas.com)

“The Golden Knights are always innovative and unique in the way they brand hockey and grow the game, and so it just makes sense that we should be here.”

— Hayley Wickenheiser (x1075lasvegas.com)

“Vegas is a great place to start, so the Golden Knights have been amazing helping us get down here, the NHL, the NHLPA, giving us some growth fund money to grow the game here in the desert and I believe we're the only female tournament in Vegas, so we're first in and hopefully we'll be here a while.”

— Hayley Wickenheiser (x1075lasvegas.com)

“I think women's hockey is on an amazing trajectory, I'm so excited, I stand by this conviction that hockey is for everyone. A strong hockey ecosystem includes young boys and young girls.”

— Kendall Knesaurek, Golden Knights executive (x1075lasvegas.com)

What’s next

Wickfest is scheduled to return to Las Vegas in 2027, with dates to be announced.

The takeaway

The Vegas Golden Knights' partnership with Wickfest and the launch of their all-girls learn-to-play program demonstrate the team's commitment to growing women's hockey at the grassroots level, aligning with the sport's rising popularity and the franchise's goal of creating a diverse and inclusive hockey ecosystem.