Building the best home for professional women’s hockey is something Madison Packer has been doing for eight years since joining the Premier Hockey Federation in its very beginning.
The Metropolitan Riveters captain truly embodies the league’s mission of providing role models and fueling the growth of the game for the next generation, especially in recent years with her own growing family.
Her son Waylon, who turns three in September, and eight-month-old daughter Harlan, don’t have to look far to see strong female leaders.
Happy Mother’s Day from the Packer crew ❤️💪@madison_packer_ | @Riveterspic.twitter.com/D9IlFAJhsa
— PHF (@PHF) May 14, 2023
“I say to my teammates all the time, and it’s kind of cliché, but I didn’t realize truly the impact that we’re making on the lives of the next generation of not only athletes but humans,” Packer said. “My son is so excited every day when he knows that he’s coming to the rink to see the team. It has completely changed his life.”
Waylon has become a staple at American Dream for every Riveters game and can easily spot his mom wearing number 14 on the ice. He refers to Packer’s teammates as ‘the girlies’ who have become every bit a part of his family, just as Harlan will grow up experiencing the same love and support from a team.
“They have a huge impact on him and it’s invaluable for kids to grow up with access to people like that,” she said. “Athletes are good at what they do, but they also have good habits in every other aspect of their lives which makes them phenomenal role models. It takes a village of people to raise kids, and I’m surrounded by incredibly strong women every day.”
So CUTE moment 💕🏒💪
Mini Packer stole the show during our national anthem today @PHF@madison_packer_@battaglinoapic.twitter.com/iuTsFb59dk— Metropolitan Riveters (@Riveters) January 15, 2023
On Mother’s Day, Packer celebrates the strong women in her life, like her wife Anya, who has also been instrumental in growing the PHF in her own career as a player, tenure as Players’ Association head, and as a former team executive. And Madison’s mom Laura, a former ironman racer and power lifter, who Packer credits for giving her a competitive spark.
“It’s really incredible the amount of time that I’ve witnessed them put in with my kids,” she said. “My mom as a grandmother and my wife who literally does everything so that my life can function throughout the season. It’s a big day for me, but honestly, during the hockey season my wife does so much of the heavy lifting when it comes to the kids that (Mother’s Day) becomes more of her day because it’s a real opportunity for me to thank her for everything she does to make the family work. A huge shout out to them and to women everywhere that are doing it, a lot of them on their own, and it’s remarkable.”
The Packer family is inspiring for so many reasons in sport, but more importantly outside the game as mental health advocates and for their roles as parents who are openly representing the LGBTQ+ community and sharing their story.
“It’s kind of unfortunate how difficult it is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to start a family the natural way, if you will,” Packer said. “It’s a really hard and expensive process for people to get access to reproductive treatment, people who need it, people who want it. I didn’t realize until becoming a Mom how important it is and how hard it is. It’s important to see that other people can do it and that its possible. I would encourage anyone that is interested in having a family that even though it’s hard and complicated at times it’s an incredibly rewarding process.”
Welcome to the world, Harlan Charles. You are going to do amazing things, we just know it. 💕 pic.twitter.com/JZsFmzCTAV
— Madison Packer (@madison_packer_) September 1, 2022
The 31-year-old Packer was the first offseason signing announced by the Riveters this past week, making the family’s Disney vacation over Mother’s Day that much sweeter.
“I’m super excited,” she said. “The increase investment and salary cap is huge for a market like ours. I’m really happy with what our team has decided to do with the cap. I got a great pay day but there’s a lot of players on our team who are going to be within the same ballpark of each other and I think that’s key and a step in the right direction for women’s hockey.”
The franchise’s all-time leader in games played (131), points (129), goals (65), assists (64), and penalty minutes (177) has inked a two-year deal with an average annual value of $92,500. It’s been a rewarding journey so far for Packer who gets to continue making an impact on and off the ice for her family and for the entire PHF community.
“If you would have told me (in Season 1) that this is where we’d be I would have said you’re crazy. I think every day we’re getting closer to having everyone playing in one spot. We’re sustainable, we’re proving it, and it’s a great time to be part of the movement.”
