Sudbury Native Shows Pink Belongs in the Rink

She was 6 years old, watching professional hockey for the first time, and there was a bench-clearing brawl on the TV.

From there, Winter Adams was hooked on the sport.

Now, the Sudbury native and hockey fan is taking her passion for the winter sport and gearing it toward other female fans looking for an alternative to how the game is covered.

Two years ago, Adams created ThePinkPuck.com, "a website for women by women dedicated to hockey and everything in between."

But it's not just for fans. Adams says she wants to open doors for women who want to cover the sport, too.

"If you have passion for hockey, I’ll give you a chance and work with you," she says. "I have 20 girls across the US and Canada writing for me ... all teams, all leagues, high schools."

Her staff includes a mix of experienced and inexperienced writers. When she first launched the site in 2011, she was recruiting them. But now, as the site has grown in popularity, inspiring writers are contacting her.

"Some have a writing background, some are in school, but I don’t say 'no' to anyone," including male writers, the 2004 Lincoln-Sudbury graduate says.

Adams got her break in hockey writing as an intern with Inside Hockey in 2010. The former Sacred Heart University student says thanks to editor Kevin Greenstein, she was able develope experience and contacts in the NHL, which allowed her to receive press credentials for The Pink Puck.

"I think she's terrific," Greenstein said. "She has a lot of talent, a good understanding of the game as someone who plays and watches it, and she brings unique perspective. I'm a big fan."

Winter's first time in the Bruins' lockerroom came with a bump from one of their stars.

"My first game with (Boston vs.) Montreal. I was sitting at the top of the Boston Garden, looking down it was amazing. There are no words to describe it," she says. "I was nervous, trying to learn the rules. In the lockerroom, there's a big 'B' on the floor that you can't walk on. It's bad luck. I was walking around it and walked into Milan Lucic and got knocked down. It was a memorable experience."

Her internship with Inside Hockey gave her the drive to branch out on her own and start up her website.

"There was no real site for women fans," she says, adding she still freelances for Inside Hockey. "I gave it a try as a blog (using WordPress), and that branched out to a lot more."

Although geared toward the female demographic, The Pink Puck now has a solid male following, as well. The site has also covered a variety of charitable hockey related endeavors, league events and has credentials for both the AHL and NHL.

"To get this far on my own accord and get credentials through the NHL for the  finals and have them accept my site ... it’s exciting," she says.

Adams says she plans on expanding the site with podcasts, video segments and a clothing line. She is starting a new series she called "Growing Up Hockey," where current NHL players share how they got started in hockey. And despite having some advertising on the site, she's still looking for more.

But the real focus is on giving others the same chance she received with that internship three years ago.

"I want it to grow," she says. "I want it to take off and give more women the opportunity I got."

Anyone wishing to freelance for The Pink Puck can contact Adams by email, Facebook, or Twitter.