By Sport Nova Scotia Communications
Since 2017, the Halifax Mussels have been a hockey organization that welcomes 2SLGBTQIA+ adults and allies to learn and play hockey in a safe, supportive and fun environment. And now, almost ten years later, the not-for-profit organization is providing the same opportunity for youth in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Founded by Dr. Chuck Dauphinee, the Mussels believe everyone—regardless of experience, gender identity, orientation, race or financial status—deserves the chance to play hockey.
And with the support of Sport Nova Scotia, Hockey Nova Scotia and the Central Zone – Community Health Board they have launched the Premiere Queer Hockey League (PQHL) in partnership with the Youth Project, a non-profit organization that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
This league will provide a supportive entry point for queer, questioning and gender-diverse youth from grades 9-12 to try hockey. Starting with basic skills sessions, the league will then explore friendly scrimmages. Eventually the hope is there will be enough interest to form a few teams to make a proper league.
The Mussels accessed Sport Nova Scotia’s community-based EDIA Funding to support ice time, coaching development and supplies and equipment.
“Right now, I just want kids to have fun and make friends, yet we do want to keep the quality up and work with organizations like Sport Nova Scotia and Hockey Nova Scotia to make sure that we have the best programs that are inclusive,” says Chuck. “But it would be cool to see some of the athletes be fed into the higher-level systems and go on to the PWHL or NHL.”
The PQHL was born out of the numerous messages the Mussels were receiving from adults and youth alike looking for similar learn-to-play and development-based options for queer and gender-diverse youth. And with no other youth queer hockey league to model themselves after, the Halifax Mussels Inclusive Hockey Society made the decision to build something new and intentional.
Behind Chuck every step of the way, members of the Halifax Mussels have come together to support this league, exampled by many coming out and supporting last year’s Slay Offs, which featured a hockey game and drag skating performances in support of the PQHL.
Two Halifax Mussels coaches, Morgan Doiron and Lor Sangster, have also stepped up to be the PQHL’s head coaches. Morgan, who has been with the Mussels for two seasons, and Lor, with them for three and a half, are looking forward to seeing new players fall in love with hockey.
“I just love watching people gain confidence,” says Lor. “Through coaching with the Mussels I’ve seen people on their first night being terrified and not knowing what to do and then by the end of their first season they’ve made like 20 new friends.”
Likewise, Morgan says seeing someone go from taking their first steps on the ice to setting up a play is a better feeling than winning any championship.
Neither Lor nor Morgan coached before joining the Mussels, but Morgan grew up playing hockey and credits the organization for bringing him back to the sport he loves.
“Growing up playing competitive hockey and being closeted was a struggle. Like the language that everybody knows is used within the actual hockey community kind of pushed me back a little bit. And I didn’t get to be my true self,” says Morgan. “So, when I moved to Halifax, I saw the Mussels and like their slogan, they brought me out of my shell.”
Meanwhile Lor grew up watching their brother play hockey but never had the chance to try the sport themselves. But when they heard about the Mussels, they figured it would be a great chance to dive into a new sport while gaining a new sense of community in Halifax.
Now Lor and Morgan are excited to take on the PQHL and help provide a safe and comfortable space for young people to learn hockey.
“I want to give young athletes a safe space and just show them that the sport is for everybody and that you can feel comfortable in your own skin and in who you are. And don’t let something or someone stop you from doing what you want to do,” says Morgan.
“For me, having openly queer coaches in the sports I played as a kid was lifesaving,” says Lor. “Visibility is so huge. Whenever I get an opportunity to be that person on the other side, for me, it’s just paying it forward. If I get to be that representation for someone else, then every time I’m going to step up.”
For information on how to register for the PQHL, or to learn more about the league, readers can check out the Mussel’s website: Halifax Mussels Hockey | 2SLGBTQIA+ & Allies Hockey
And to learn about Sport Nova Scotia funding opportunities, readers can visit Sport Nova Scotia’s website: Funding – Sport Nova Scotia
