Scottish ice hockey history will be made today as the Caledonia Steel Queens play Guildford Lightning at Murrayfield Ice Arena. This season opener signifies the return of the UK's elite women's league to Scotland after a 32-year absence.
The Steel Queens, who started with just seven players in 2017, have expanded to more than 120 members and are now Scotland's only elite team. The club has described this event as "the biggest story in UK ice hockey this year."
The return of top-tier ice hockey aims to improve accessibility for players who previously had to travel hundreds of miles to England to compete at an elite level. Beth Dias-Scoon, head coach of the Steel Queens' elite squad, highlighted the importance of providing a platform for players to focus on hockey rather than travel costs and time.
The Steel Queens joined the Women's National Ice Hockey League in 2023 and progressed through its regional divisions. Their acceptance into the expanded top tier for the 2026/27 season follows the league's plan to increase from six to eight teams. Richard Gray, who founded the team, noted that their competitive performance was crucial in securing this opportunity.