Report: Islanders to replace 'Ice Girls' with co-ed team
The New York Islanders will not have the company of the team's "Ice Girls" when they move to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Islanders Point Blank reported on Thursday, citing a source close to the organization.
The Islanders introduced the "Ice Girls" to the NHL during the 2001-02 season as a means to clean the ice shavings during television timeouts and stoppages in play. A co-ed maintenance team with matching track suits is expected to replace the all-female contingent when New York opens the season on Oct. 9 against the reigning Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks.
The San Jose Sharks experienced a backlash from a segment of their fan base upon recruiting "Ice Girls" prior to the beginning of last season. A group of fans publicly threatened to boycott the team's games unless the "Ice Girls" were allowed to wear a similar outfit as the men in the same job.
The Philadelphia Flyers toyed with the idea of replacing their "Ice Girls" contingent in favor of a co-ed maintenance team last season, but the club nixed that notion after two preseason games following vocal displeasure from some of the fan base.
(h/t Islanders Point Blank)
