By Randy Schultz —
Pictured: Taking part in the ceremonial puck drop were Beauts Team Captain Emily Pfalzer, Boston’s Brianne Decker and the daughter of HarborCenter vice president/director of hockey Nik Fattey.
BUFFALO, NY (Photo by Janet Schultz)– Hollywood couldn’t have written a more perfect ending to the Buffalo Beauts NWHL game Friday night.
Earlier in the day the Beauts Hailey Browne had announced that he was changing his name to Harrison Browne. Browne would later play in the Beauts hockey game against the Boston Pride, thus becoming the first transgender athlete to play for a professional sports team in the United States.
While the Beauts may have lost the game, 4-1, the highlight for them came in the final period when Browne scored the team’s only goal on a shorthanded effort. HarborCenter exploded with cheering as many of the 1200 fans on hand stood on their feet to applaud Browne’s efforts.
Following the game, Browne talked about the moment and hearing his new name for the first time.
“It was unreal,” said Browne, a native of Oakville, Ont. Canada. “I never felt something like that before.”
As for the crowds reaction?
“So supportive,” stated Browne. “I’m loving the support. I’m so excited.”
The only setback came during the post-game interview when Browne was asked his thoughts on if the game had been played in North Carolina, which has anti-transgender laws.
Browne began to answer, but was cut off by the team’s PR person, who said that they were not going to talk about that at this time.
Browne then concluded his statement with a simple, “I guess we’re just going to keep it at that.”
NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan later said that the league is working on a policy for the situation.
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