“Adult Women’s Hockey Player Discusses Her Love for the Sport on ABC’s The Golden Bachelor”

How did an adult female hockey player from Alaska end up on primetime television in ABC’s The Golden Bachelor? The answer can be found in her response to the question… ‘Why not?’. 71-year-old Diane Firmani has embraced this mindset in her life, love, and hockey.

Diane participated as a contestant in Season Two of The Golden Bachelor, a reality show that features 23 women vying for the affection of a 66-year-old bachelor.

Throughout her journey, Diane utilized her wit, humor, and experience as a determined competitor in the Anchorage Women’s League to distinguish herself from the other contestants.

What motivated you to apply for The Golden Bachelor?

Winter evenings in Alaska can be long, cold, and isolating. My friends from the Book Club jokingly encouraged me to apply for The Golden Bachelor. My response was always a firm no. However, on one of those long winter nights, I thought, “Why not? I’ll take a chance.” I completed the application, submitted it, and kept it a secret.

How did your athletic background influence your experience on the show?

Mel, the Golden Bachelor, mentioned he was seeking a fit woman – and I knew I fit that description. I play women’s hockey, have completed the Lavaman Triathlon eight times, consistently place in local sprint triathlons, and am an avid long-distance cyclist. This level of athleticism gave me significant confidence.

What was the reaction of other cast members when they discovered you play hockey?

The other women were surprised but impressed to learn that I played hockey. However, the producers’ response was the highlight. They immediately wanted to incorporate hockey into my limo entrance. One producer even suggested I arrive on a Zamboni! Although that didn’t happen, we settled on my now-famous line: “What the puck?”.

How did you first get involved in hockey?

When I relocated to Wasilla in the early ’80s, I realized I needed to keep myself occupied to avoid going stir-crazy in the cold and darkness. One evening, while reading the local newspaper, I came across an ad seeking women to form a hockey team – no prior experience required. Once again, I thought, “Why not?” I purchased some second-hand gear and showed up at the rink without any knowledge of how to play hockey.

Can you share your experience with youth hockey?

I did not play hockey during my childhood. There were no organized teams for girls before Title IX. The park department would flood the tennis courts in winter, and our parents would drop us off to skate and play pom-pom all night. That’s how I learned to skate.

What leagues are you currently part of, and how often do you skate each week?

At present, I skate with the Anchorage Women’s League. My team has been part of the AWHL for over 30 years. It’s a fantastic league, and we don’t mind the hour-long drive into Anchorage every Sunday. I attempted coed play here in the Valley, but it didn’t compare to the enjoyment I have with an all-women team.

What makes adult hockey more enjoyable than other recreational activities?

Participating in adult hockey fosters a sense of community. Meeting someone who plays creates an instant connection – you feel you understand something about their character simply by knowing they’re a hockey player. The camaraderie with teammates is unparalleled. My favorite part of hockey night is piling into the van with my hockey sisters, chatting and laughing all the way to Anchorage and back. I had never been on a team until I started playing hockey. There were no girls’ sports teams during my high school years. I graduated in 1972, the same year Title IX was enacted. I had never experienced the unique bond that comes with being part of a team. I had no idea that decades later I would be lacing up skates with a group of women who feel like family. Being involved in a sport that is healthy, unifying, and unapologetically female is the best. It may sound sentimental, but I particularly enjoy the locker room filled with laughter and antics. I finally got to experience the fun that was previously exclusive to the boys.

What is one of your favorite adult hockey tournaments you’ve participated in, and why?

What’s my favorite women’s tournament? Naturally, it’s the one my hockey team organizes every December. You’ve heard of The Stanley Cup? Ours is The C Cup! This year marked our 20th anniversary. You could say The C Cup has been supporting women’s hockey for two decades. (Pun intended). We host 120 women from across Alaska, with teams coming from Fairbanks, Healy, Homer, Kenai, and Anchorage. Our MVP award for each game is a sports bra, of course. This year, I had the privilege of presenting it by asking (with apologies to The Golden Bachelor), “______ (insert name), will you accept this sports bra?” And then, there’s the bear. Each year, we transport my late husband’s nine-foot bear mount to the rink and dress him according to the theme. This year, in honor of our anniversary, he appeared in a suit and tie… and yes… a red rose in his paw. Additionally, one of our hockey sisters baked a beautiful and delicious Stanley Cup cake that paired well with a cold beer.

How has playing adult hockey enriched your life, both on and off the ice?

Participating in women’s hockey has influenced my life in countless ways. It has made me part of a large, loyal, loving family – the hockey community. I’m convinced there is no better or more devoted group of people. When my husband, “The Hammer,” returned home after suffering a massive stroke, our hockey family supported us in every possible way for four long years. Our local crew helped alleviate loneliness and sadness with food, visits, check-ins, and eventually organized a memorial hockey game in his honor. Even his coaches from high school and college reached out. I truly don’t know how I would have navigated that difficult period without them.

My two sons also played hockey – naturally. My husband even constructed a small backyard rink for them. Being a Hockey Mom brought me both pride and joy, along with the discovery of the trick of adding Baileys to your morning coffee.

And I almost forgot what might be the most significant impact of all: I met my husband through hockey. He often refereed our women’s league games, and apparently, I caught his attention! Hockey has provided me with a community, lifelong friendships, cherished childhood memories for my kids – and my husband of 30 years.

What advice would you give to adults interested in joining an adult hockey league but feeling apprehensive?

If you’re an adult contemplating joining a hockey league, I have two words of advice for you: do it.

You’re not getting any younger, and you’re definitely missing out on the fun. Locate a league that suits your level – novice, women’s, or a coed beer league. There’s a place for you. If you’re still feeling hesitant, find a friend with similar interests to join you. Look for a Learn to Skate Class or a Beginner Hockey Clinic. But don’t wait until you’re in better shape or a more skilled skater, because you won’t do it if you’re waiting for that. Just sign up and show up. You won’t regret it.

How has being a woman in adult hockey influenced your confidence and leadership? How did those skills assist you in navigating The Golden Bachelor with 23 other women?

The skills I acquired from playing women’s hockey translated well into finding my place on The Golden Bachelor. I’ll be honest. Entering that group of 23 glamorous, fit, charismatic women was incredibly intimidating. My confidence wavered. I knew I had to rely on what only I could contribute to the show, what was uniquely mine. So I played my game and highlighted my strengths. Being a fast skater is not my strength, so I pass to the younger girls and position myself effectively. For me, that means camping in front of the net waiting for rebounds. On The Golden Bachelor, it was about jockeying for position in front of the camera and ensuring you get noticed. I know I’m sassy and enjoy making people laugh. In hockey, I keep the girls entertained on the bench. At the mansion, I embraced my fun side, because if you can make people laugh, you’ll be a favorite. Thus, the same strategy applies in women’s hockey and reality TV. Stay visible, stay likable, and don’t embarrass yourself.

What message do you hope other women will take from your story?

After learning about my hockey journey, I hope other women will think, “If SHE can do it, I can do it too!” I’m hardly a powerhouse on the ice, but my passion and joy are certainly present! I hope the takeaway is to remain active, stay fit, and find your community. Mine is my women’s hockey team. Being part of a team, an experience I was deprived of as a young woman, is an incredible, transformative experience. I hope you find your hockey sisters as well. And it’s true: if this 71-year-old widow can lace up her skates and step onto the ice… then you can too.

What are your future plans, both on and off the ice?

What’s next for me? Simply to keep on keeping on! Continue playing hockey. Win some, lose some, but aim to come home with the end-of-the-season championship. Increase my training for the Lavaman in March. Maintain my sanity (and my reading habit) by working part-time at the library. Take my dog, JoJo, for more walks, so people won’t call her overweight. Cherish my two sons and enjoy my front-row seat to their adult lives. Stay connected with Sammye and Shelly, my original hockey sisters, training partners, and fellow Lavaman warriors – because without them, life wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable.