Marie-Philip Poulin & Rebecca Johnston relishing new NHL player development roles

Team Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin and Rebecca Johnston captured their third Olympic gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. (Photo courtesy of HHOF-IIHF Images)

In founding her self-named investment, consulting, and marketing firm BJK Enterprises, Billie Jean King sought to place women in positions of power and change. The tennis icon and social rights activist, along with wife Ilana Kloss, are part-owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). King told La Presse last month how important it is for women to become owners and make decisions for themselves.

“We want women to be involved in all aspects of sports, not just as players, but also in management,” said King as she prepared to visit Montreal for a business conference as part of C2 Montreal. “Women need to be involved in financial decisions. I don’t like how girls and boys are perceived differently when it comes to money.”

While they might not be part of the ownership group, Team Canada stalwarts Marie-Philip Poulin and Rebecca Johnston have integrated the once male-dominated world of professional hockey. Both Poulin and Johnston have recently earned positions in the player development sphere with the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, respectively, all the while continuing to compete on the highest stage.