Steel Queens forge ice hockey history and inspire new generation

When Caledonia Steel Queens play Guildford Lightning at Murrayfield Ice Arena later, Scottish ice hockey history will be made.

The season opener marks the return of the UK's elite women's league to the country after 32 years.

It's a momentous day for the Steel Queens, who have gone from just seven players in 2017 to becoming the only elite team this side of the border, with more than 120 members.

The club has described the occasion as "the biggest story in UK ice hockey this year", and hopes it will make the sport more accessible for players who often have to travel hundreds of miles to England to play at the top level.

Ice hockey has been enjoying a moment in recent months, possibly thanks to hit TV shows like Heated Rivalry and Off Campus.

But the Steel Queens fell in love with the sport long before it boomed on streaming platforms and TikTok - and they told BBC Scotland News why.

Maya Low was introduced to ice hockey by her Canadian cousins before she picked up a stick herself at the age of 15.

The sport has enabled the 20-year-old to travel around the country and meet new people.

But it became more than that in August 2024 when Maya was diagnosed with leukaemia.

"I was undergoing very intensive treatment for the first 10 months and I lost the ability to walk," Maya said.

"Ice hockey has been incredible for me during this time, it's given me motivation to get up and get out of bed and learn to walk again and get my strength back.

"I've always had a goal to look forward to and work towards, which I think has been incredibly important, mentally and physically, and it's also helped me re-connect with my friends and build confidence again," she added.

While Maya remains in maintenance treatment, she has been busy training with the Steel Queens for a chance to make it on the team's roster for the big game on Saturday.

"It's incredible and we are all really looking forward to it - it will be a great challenge and it's amazing for women's ice hockey in Scotland," she said.

13-year-old Drew Henderson and her twin brother Flynn found out about ice hockey from a poster they spotted during a public skating session seven years ago.

They both play for the Edinburgh Capitals academy, which shares the Murrayfield Ice Arena with the Steel Queens.

Despite being the only girl on the team, Drew says she enjoys being able to play with her brother.

When she isn't playing for the Capitals, Drew captains the Steel Queen's development team the Iron Maidens.

"When we see Drew playing ice hockey it's actually like she comes alive," said the twins' mum, Fee.

"There is nothing else that makes her as happy as ice hockey does," she added.

Fee believes that having Scotland's own elite team will make a huge difference for the next generation, including her children.

"It shows women can be at that level and the sport that they enjoy and love is getting some recognition and it will let kids, especially girls, follow their dreams and see that there is something high to dream for that's different and cool."

Head coach of the Steel Queens' elite squad, Beth Dias-Scoon, swapped roller blades for ice skates at the age of seven.

What followed was a trailblazing career spanning more than two decades, which has seen her play for the elite Kingston Diamonds based in Hull, and the Great Britain women's national team.

Playing at the top level hasn't been easy - for 15 years Beth had to make a 480-mile round trip to train and play with Kingston.

Thanks to the Steel Queens, players based in Scotland will no longer have to face that ordeal.

"Just to give them that platform is so important. It means they can focus on hockey rather than the cost and the time spent travelling ," Beth said.

Some players from the GB Team have already returned "home" to play for the Steel Queens.

"It's amazing to have role models come into our club and give young girls something to aspire to," Beth added.

When Caledonia Steel Queens was founded in 2017, it was Scotland's only university team exclusively for women.

It has grown quickly since then - from having seven skaters at its first practice to attracting more than 120 playing members across three full teams and a development squad.

In 2023, the Steel Queens switched from the university league to the Women's National Ice Hockey League, and swiftly made their way up through its regional divisions.

When the league announced it was planning to expand its top tier from six to eight teams for the 2026/27 season, the Murrayfield-based club threw its hat in the ring and got accepted.

"If we hadn't competed well, we would never have had the opportunity to join the elite league, so it's a testament to the girls' hard work and commitment over the years," said Richard Gray, who founded the team.

The last Scottish women's team to play at the top level were the Dundee Royals in 1994.

Richard said it was massive to bring it back: "I may be a little bit biased but I think it's the biggest story in UK ice hockey this year."

He hopes it will spark more interest in ice hockey in general.

"When you see the talent at all levels, men's or women's, it's definitely worth watching," he said.

"If you like quick, fast, action-packed sport that has got everything from physicality, to skill, then it's really a sport for you."

Caledonia Steel Queens are opening their elite season on Saturday 3 October with a home game at Murrayfield Ice Arena against Guildford Lightning.