Featured Image: Manchester Storm Women celebrate a goal with a group huddle. // Image Credit: Abigail Murphy

Manchester Storm Women have reached the Women’s National Ice Hockey play-offs in their first season of league hockey, marking a historic milestone for the newly formed side.

After forming in 2024, Manchester Storm Women stepped into the WNIHL North Division 2 for the first time in the 2025/26 season without a clear expectation around how they would compete at a senior level.

Instead, they have spent most of the season competing in the title race, with a close battle against Caledonia Steel Queens defining the top of the table.

Storm will now go into their final two league fixtures still in contention for the top spot, facing Nottingham Vipers and Caledonia at Planet Ice Altrincham.

Their place within the play-offs is already confirmed, regardless of how the remaining league fixtures play out.

The play-offs, which will take place in Sheffield across 23-25 May 2026, will see Storm face the top sides from across the wider WNIHL structure, marking a step up from regular league competition.

With the final league standings still to be decided, their remaining fixtures carry a large weight, not only in the title race but also in shaping their route into the play-offs. A strong finish within the league could provide the momentum needed for the play-offs, where margins are often tighter and the stakes are higher.

Supporter Alice Kelly said it was a “huge achievement” to reach the play-offs, especially “considering how new they are compared to others within the league.”

Storm’s rise has been reflected in results on the ice, including their recent 9-4 win over Leeds Thorns, that has kept them firmly in the title picture.

While results have been a key part of their rise to the top, the speed at which the squad has developed has been just as significant.

 Manchester Storm forward Kate Gleave has said that in the early stages of the season, the biggest challenge wasn’t securing the results, but rather building a solid foundation with a changing group of players each week.

Storm’s early results also helped to build the confidence within each other quickly, with strong opening performances showing the group that they could compete against the best from the outset.

“Before the first game, we didn’t really know what to expect,” said Gleave. “But after that, it felt like okay, maybe we could actually do something this season.”

For Gleave, reaching the playoffs within their first season is already a significant achievement.

“To be going into the playoffs in our first season is massive. It shows how far we’ve come in a short space of time.

“Some players are driving over an hour to training and getting back at 1am. This team is committed, and I believe we can do it.”

The WNIHL play-offs in Sheffield will take place on 23-25 May 2026, bringing Manchester Storm’s debut season to a close, in a campaign that has already seen them make history.