Women Welcome In Hockey Hall of Fame

There was a fundamentally huge announcement by the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Chances are you may have missed it, as many top media sources glossed over it if they mentioned it at all.

The Hockey Hall of Fame is revamping its bylaws in a move that signals it is ready to admit its first female player.

Starting in 2010, the Hall will consider male and female candidates separately. The new bylaw will allow a maximum of four men and two women to be inducted each year.

Currently there is a maximum of four player inductees and women are judged and considered against men.

This is a very important step in welcoming women to the Hall. While there is nothing preventing women from being inducted at this stage vying against NHL legends for just 4 annual spots has made enshrinement all but impossible.

With their own category starting next year, we should see names like Angela James, Cammi Granato, Cassie Campbell and Manon Rheaume included in the coming years.

This is a great victory for women's hockey. The female game has had significant growth and significant impact on hockey in the past 20 years.