Ruggiero and Wickenheiser Break Gender Barriers in Hockey Via Video Game

Two of the greatest women to have represented their respective countries in women’s ice hockey at the Winter Games, Hayley Wickenheiser and Angela Ruggiero have been added to the EA Sports NHL 2013 video game. As two of five playable legends in the EA 2013 game, Wickenheiser and Ruggiero join Jari Kurri, Dominik Hasek and Doug Gilmour. They can be added to any team of the user’s choice once the video game hits store shelves on September 11, 2012.

Both players have appeared in the first four women’s ice hockey competitions in the Winter Games (1998 Nagano, 2002 Salt Lake City, 2006 Torino, and 2010 Vancouver). Wickenheiser possesses three gold medals and one silver, while Ruggiero has one gold, two silver, and a bronze medal, respectively.

It marks another accomplishment in a notable year for both living legends. Wickenheiser led the University of Calgary Dinos to their first ever CIS national ice hockey championship, while being named a CIS All-Canadian. She was also part of the Canadian squad that claimed the gold medal at the 2012 IIHF Women’s World championships, the seventh gold in her storied career for Canada.

In February 2012, Ruggiero was appointed President of the Women’s Sports Foundation, succeeding Laila Ali in the post. As a member of the International Olympic Committee, Ruggiero was on hand to give the United States women’s soccer teams the gold medal at the London 2012 Summer Games. In addition, Ruggiero was elected to the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame in late 2011.

Both Ruggiero and Wickenheiser follow in the path of Lexi Peters. The teenaged Buffalo, New York native became the first ever female ice hockey player to appear in an EA Sports hockey game. The Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles player was in the 2012 edition, after David Littman (the lead producer of the game) received permission from the NHL and EA’s legal staff. For her efforts, Peters was recognized by The Hockey News publication as a member of the publication’s 100 People of Power and Influence in Hockey.

With women’s ice hockey players rightfully becoming part of the EA Sports landscape, short of an all women’s ice hockey video game, the question is, who are the next players to be considered for inclusion? Depending on the performance of the United States at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, one cannot help but consider the Lamoureux twins (Jocelyne and Monique). As the first set of twins to compete in women’s ice hockey at the Winter Games, the two are fan favorites and are definitely the face of USA Hockey.

Another option would be to include Caroline Ouellette and Julie Chu. While the two played against each other internationally (Ouellette with Canada, Chu with the United States), the two are the embodiment of the growing mutual respect between Americans and Canadians in women’s hockey. Having served on the coaching staff of the 2008 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs Frozen Four championship team, the two have also helped the Montreal Stars win back to back Clarkson Cups in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Quite possibly, the first two women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Angela James and Cammi Granato would be worth of inclusion in the 2014 edition. Regardless of the choices, applause goes to EA Sports and the NHL for breaking ground by acknowledging Lexi Peters, while helping to grow the women’s game. Soon, it will be time for EA Sports FIFA soccer video game to include the likes of Marta, Abby Wambach, and Christine Sinclair to their video game.