Girls’ hockey has been part of the Burlington sports scene for over thirty years. Burlington teams participated in Provincial hockey in the 1960′s. Early in the 70′s, organized league play was introduced for girls ranging in age from 13 to 24. In 1988, Burlington hosted the Canadian Women’s National Championship.
The early years of organized hockey were under the umbrella of the boys’ minor hockey association. During those years the interest in playing girls’ hockey was concentrated in a small group of girls, and membership was fairly stable.
As the interest in girls’ hockey began to rise, the small group of parents and volunteers managing the girls’ program felt that autonomy was needed. It would allow them to negotiate for their own ice package and spur growth. In July 1996, the Burlington Girls Hockey Club was incorporated.
The focus in the years prior to incorporation was on minor hockey, although the group did offer a competitive program for seniors. In 1996, the club introduced a lady’s recreational program and a tyke program in 1999.
Membership in BGHC continued to grow as young women picked up the sport in increasing numbers. Both the rep and house league programs expanded over time. Registration in BGHC currently sits at approximately 700 players.
Fastest Women's Ice Hockey Hat Trick (Guinness Book of World Records)
The fastest ice hockey hat trick by a woman is 35 seconds by Melissa Horvat (Canada) for Burlington 1 Bantams against Stoney Creek in Burlington, on 4 March 2006
She scored 3 times in the 3rd period with 8:56, 8:48 and 8:21 to go. This was a playoff game monitored by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association.