Periods Are Part of the Game: How USA Hockey and MASS Hockey are Championing Athlete Dignity at Nationals

This May, we are highlighting a simple truth: periods are part of the game. Too often, menstruation remains stigmatized in sport, creating barriers to participation, confidence, and inclusion. Creating period-friendly spaces helps girls feel safe, supported, and able to stay engaged in sport. 

USA Hockey has been working towards providing menstrual products at our girls National Tournaments. This is a simple but essential step toward ensuring athlete health, dignity, and peak performance. Players are competing at a high level, often far from home and on tight schedules, and access to basic hygiene products shouldn't be an added stress or distraction. Having these supplies readily available promotes equity, normalizes a natural part of athletes' lives, and helps prevent missed ice time or discomfort that could impact performance. It also signals that the tournament prioritizes the well-being of its athletes, creating a more supportive and professional environment that reflects the standards of national-level competition.

This year, the USA Hockey Girls Tier 2 19U National Tournament was at Everett Arena in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Hockey deserves strong recognition for taking a proactive and thoughtful approach by supplying menstrual products at the Girls 19U National Tournament. This initiative goes beyond logistics- it demonstrates a clear commitment to athlete care, inclusivity, and modern standards in sport. By anticipating the needs of players and removing potential barriers, MASS Hockey is helping create an environment where athletes can focus fully on competing at their best. Their leadership sets an example for other organizations to follow, showing that small, practical decisions can have a meaningful impact on player experience and overall tournament quality.

Don't just take our word for it—here is what the players had to say about the impact:

"Knowing the products were there if I needed them took one more thing off my mind. At this level, you're focused on competing, and it just made everything feel more professional and supportive."

"It might seem like a small detail, but it made a big difference. No one had to scramble or feel uncomfortable—it showed that the tournament really understands what athletes need."

"I've been at tournaments where this wasn't available, and it can be stressful. Having it provided here made me feel like we were truly taken care of."

"It helped normalize something that's completely part of our lives as athletes. It made the environment feel more inclusive and respectful."

"Honestly, it let us just focus on hockey. That's what you want at Nationals—no distractions, just the game."

By anticipating the needs of these players, MASS Hockey created a supportive environment that reflects the true standards of national-level competition. This leadership sets a powerful example for sports organizations everywhere, proving that small, practical decisions can have a profound impact on the player experience and help remove the barriers that too often hold girls back in sport.

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