Inside the Women’s Beanpot: History, Voices, and the Movement to Fill TD Garden

If you follow Her Puck Perspective, you already know how much I love women’s hockey — especially the college game. So when I had the chance to sit down with three women who are deeply involved in the Women’s Beanpot — Linda, Molly, and Mary — I knew it would be a conversation worth sharing.

What I didn’t expect was just how much history, passion, and grassroots determination sits behind one of the most iconic tournaments in women’s college hockey.

This is the story they told me.

Jump to Section

• What Is the Women’s Beanpot?
• How the Beanpot Became a Boston Tradition
• Meet the Women Behind the Movement
• Why the Beanpot Matters More Than Ever
• What Makes the Tournament Unique
• The Push to Sell Out TD Garden
• Behind the Scenes: What Fans Don’t See
• Why You Should Experience It in Person

What Is the Women’s Beanpot?

If you’re new to college hockey — or new to Boston sports traditions — the Beanpot is one of the most iconic tournaments in the game. Every year, four of Boston’s powerhouse programs face off:

• Boston College
• Boston University
• Harvard University
• Northeastern University

The format is simple: two semifinal games one week, followed by a championship and third‑place game the next. But the meaning behind it is anything but simple.

For players, winning a Beanpot is a career-defining moment. For fans, it’s a celebration of Boston’s hockey culture. And for the women’s game, it has become a symbol of growth, visibility, and long-overdue recognition — especially now that the championship is played at TD Garden.

How the Beanpot Became a Boston Tradition

The women’s Beanpot began in 1979, several decades after the men’s tournament was established. At the time, women’s hockey in Boston was still finding its footing. Programs were growing, coaches were advocating, and pioneers like Joe Bertagna were pushing for opportunities that mirrored what the men already had.

For 43 years, the tournament rotated between the four host schools. It wasn’t until 2024 that the women finally took the ice at TD Garden for the championship round — a milestone that took decades of persistence, alumni advocacy, and a shifting cultural moment in women’s sports.

“Recruits choose their schools based on being able to play in this tournament.”

Meet the Women Behind the Movement

This year, I had the chance to speak with three women who are deeply involved in the Beanpot’s evolution: Linda, Molly, and Mary. Each brings a different background, but all share the same mission — elevating women’s hockey and giving these athletes the stage they deserve.

Linda — Player, Coach, Hall of Famer, Lifelong Advocate

Linda played at Northeastern from 1989–93, later coached there for a decade, and has remained involved ever since. She’s lived the Beanpot from every angle — the heartbreak, the pride, the legacy. She told me that recruits choose their schools because of the Beanpot. Winning it becomes a defining goal.

Even legends like Marie-Philip Poulin never won one — a reminder of how elusive and meaningful this tournament is.

Molly — A Newcomer With a Deep Appreciation for the Game

Molly didn’t grow up playing hockey, but she grew up loving college sports. Her path into the Beanpot came through Northeastern and a sports leadership program that connected her with WomenX. She remembers watching the women’s championship from her office because it was held during a weekday afternoon at a suburban rink — a moment that sparked her determination to help elevate the event.

Mary — Founder of WomenX and the Engine Behind the Push

Mary founded WomenX to create opportunities for women through education and community. When she learned the women’s Beanpot was moving to TD Garden, she immediately recognized the challenge: people wouldn’t show up if they didn’t know it was happening. So she built a team and launched the “Boston Unites” campaign to spread the word.

Why the Beanpot Matters More Than Ever

The Beanpot isn’t just another tournament. It’s a recruiting tool, a legacy-builder, and a moment that players dream about. For many, it’s the pinnacle of their college careers.

And for fans? It’s a chance to watch future PWHL stars before they hit the pro stage. Thirty current PWHL players once played in the Beanpot — a fact that still surprises many people.

“In Boston, there’s the Marathon, the Head of the Charles… and the Beanpot.”

What Makes the Tournament Unique

There are other college tournaments — the Nutmeg Classic, the Mayor’s Cup, the Smashville Showcase — but none carry the history, rivalry, or emotional weight of the Beanpot.

It’s woven into the city’s sports identity in a way that few events are.

The Push to Sell Out TD Garden

Selling out TD Garden is the dream — and the goal. The team behind the tournament spends countless hours tabling at events, emailing communities, meeting with youth programs, and pushing the message out however they can.

It’s grassroots. It’s personal. And it’s powered by passion.

Behind the Scenes: What Fans Don’t See

Awareness remains the biggest challenge. Even after two years at the Garden, many Boston sports fans still don’t know the women’s Beanpot exists. Getting to the top of people’s inboxes, calendars, and attention spans takes persistence.

As Mary said,
“Every seat matters.”

And the team truly believes that.

“Your presence matters. If you did something extraordinary and no one was there to see it, how would that feel?”

Why You Should Experience It in Person

If you’re anywhere near Boston, the women I spoke with want you to know this:

You don’t have to be a hockey expert.
You don’t have to be a women’s sports diehard.
You just have to show up.

Because when you do, you’re not just watching incredible hockey — you’re helping build something bigger. You’re helping create a tradition that future generations will grow up with. You’re helping give these athletes the stage they deserve.

And honestly? You’re going to have a blast.

Ready to be part of something bigger?

The Women’s Beanpot isn’t just a tournament — it’s a Boston tradition, a celebration of women’s hockey, and a moment these athletes have earned a thousand times over. If you want to support their work, their history, and their future, the best thing you can do is show up.

🎟️ Grab your tickets for this year’s Women’s Beanpot at TD Garden:
Tickets

And if you want to stay connected with the organizers behind this movement, follow them on Instagram at @thewomensbeanpot, or explore their Linktree for tickets, email sign‑ups, and more ways to get involved:

Your presence matters. Your voice matters. And together, we can help fill the Garden and keep pushing women’s hockey forward.

If this story resonated with you, please share it with another fan, teammate, or hockey‑loving friend. The more people who learn about the Beanpot, the more momentum this movement gains.