Furies’ Platt CWHL’s 1st openly transgender player

Jessica Platt of the Toronto Furies has come out as transgender and the Canadian Women’s Hockey League released a statement supporting its first openly transgender player.

The CWHL, which has partnered with You Can Play, released the statement hours after Platt’s announcement on social media. Commissioner Brenda Andress says the CWHL supports everyone in the league regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Platt is in her first season with the Furies after four games last season as an alternate.

Harrison Browne played as the first transgender player in the National Women’s Hockey League for the Buffalo Beauts last season.

Here’s the news statement from the team’s website:

Jessica Platt has so courageously shared her story as the first ever transgender athlete to compete in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

“After a lot of thought I would like to announce that I am transgender. I am fortunate enough to be able to live my life as who I am meant to be as well as follow my passion and play the game I love,” says Platt. “With the support of my family, friends, the CWHL and the Toronto Furies I am able to live my dream while being true to myself. I hope that others will be as fortunate as I am, now and in the future. I want people to know you don’t have to quit pursuing your dreams to be the person you were meant to be.” 

Courageous and wise words coming from Platt, a Brights Grove, Ontario, native who has decided to share her story with the world.

“We are very proud of Jessica and excited to be a part of her journey as a person and a hockey player,” says head coach Jeff Flanagan.

“We’re really proud of the strength that Platt has shown through all of this. It takes a great deal of courage to be yourself, and she will no doubt be a role model for many people. We stand with and support her through it all. If anything our team has grown closer and in the end we still pull on the same jersey every game and practice,” says Furies acting captain Emily Fulton.

The Toronto Furies organization as a whole is an inclusive and professional club that stands by their players and supports them through any journey.

“Jessica Platt is an incredibly brave young woman for coming forward and sharing her story with the world. She’s a great teammate, leader and individual on and off the ice. The Furies are proud to have such an incredible figure on our team. We are behind Jessica every step of the way,” states general manager Nicole Latreille.

“I hope that I can inspire others to live their lives true to who they are and to never give up!” Jessica Platt signing off. 

The Furies family applauds Jessica for taking this incredible step forward in her personal life. The community offers her nothing but encouragement and strength to tell her story as well as the power she needs to help others.

#WeAreTheGame #FuriesFever