The Portland Winterhawks made history Thursday.
The Winterhawks selected goaltender Morgan Stickney in the 2023 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft that was conducted Thursday. The selection made Stickney the first female American-born player to be selected in the WHL Prospects Draft.
The Winterhawks selected 15-year-old Stickney in the 10th round (No. 215) of the draft. Stickney said she’s been a fan of the Winterhawks.
“I’ve always been a fan of the Winterhawks and to now be a part of this organization is a dream come true,” Stickney told winterhawks.com. “To be drafted in the same league (Canadian Hockey League) as Manon Rhéaume and drafted to a team with a history of goalie legacy is an honor. I want to thank everyone who has supported me to this point and I look forward to what’s to come.”
Manon Rheaume, a goalkeeper, played for the Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Blues in 1992, becoming the first female NHL player to play in a game.
Stickney is one of the top goalies in the country at the U-16 level. Playing for Shattuck-St. Mary’s School (Minnesota), Stickney posted a 23-4-3 record with a .928 save percentage and 1.52 goals-against average. A native of Redondo Beach, Calif., Stickney played for the Los Angeles Kings AAA organization before moving to Minnesota.