Who is the highest-paid women's hockey player

Emily Clark of the Ottawa Charge just became the highest-paid women's hockey player in Professional Women's Hockey League history. Her six-figure contract extension marks a major turning point for women's hockey salaries. Clark has shattered previous records and signals that professional women's hockey is finally paying competative wages.

Emily Clark leads a new era of women's hockey salaries

Emily Clark signed a two-year contract extension with the Ottawa Charge that puts her earnings well into six figures. Before Clark, Mikyla Grant-Mentis held the record with an $80,000 contract in 2022. That deal seemed huge at the time, but Clark's new agreement shows how fast the league is growing.

Other top earners are climbing the salary ladder too Kennedy Marchment earns $130,000, while Kacey Bellamy takes home $133,000 At least nine players now earn $100,000 or more in the 2025-26 season Clark's contract proves that women's hockey players can finally earn living wages without needing second jobs (which used to be pretty common for female athletes).

How women's hockey salaries have transformed

The growth has been rapid and honestly impressive. The PHF salary cap jumped from just $270,000 in 2015 to $1.5 million by the 2023-24 season. The PWHL pushed salaries even higher when it launched. Average player salaries now sit around $56,500, which matches minor professional men's leagues like the ECHL.

Better pay means better stability for the entire league. Players can focus entirely on their sport instead of working side jobs. Stronger salaries attract younger talent to professional women's hockey. Higher compensation also shows sponsors and fans that the league takes player development seriously and plans to stick around long-term.

What rising salaries mean for the sport

Emily Clark's record contract represents something bigger than just one player. It shows that women's hockey has real financial backing now. Fans who follow the game see their favorite players earning respect through serious paychecks. Growth in player salaries drives interest, which brings more sponsors and broadcast deals.

The path forward looks stronger than ever. As more players reach six-figure earnings, women's hockey becomes more attractive to young athletes. Better pay creates better competition, and better competition creates better hockey for fans to watch. Clark's milestone isn't just a personal win it's a victory for the entire sport.