Josh Dunne Supports Women’s Hockey

The summer of 2023 was a monumental time in history for women’s hockey as the Professional Women’s Hockey League – PWHL – formed after the Premier Hockey Federation dissolved. Six cities across North America became home to teams, fielding players who would make close to a livable wage for the inaugural season.

Preseason festivities kicked off on September 5 when Ottawa signed forwards Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer to three-year contracts. Over the next week, Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, and Toronto followed suit, signing three players each to contracts of the same length.

On September 18, the league held their inaugural draft in Toronto, Canada with Minnesota picking forward Taylor Heise first overall. Some other notable names who went in the draft were Clarkson University alum Ella Shelton (4^th overall; New York) and Ohio State University alum Jincy Dunne Roese (17^th overall; Ottawa).

Both Roese and Shelton signed contracts with their respective teams before the start of training camp. Roese signed a two-year contract and Shelton a one-year contract.

By signing contracts to play in the PWHL’s inaugural season, Shelton and Roese officially share a place in history together. But, it’s not the only thing they share.

Cleveland Monsters forward Josh Dunne happens to be the boyfriend of Shelton and the younger brother of Roese. Between growing up around multiple sisters and spending time with Clarkson’s Women’s Hockey Team, Dunne has grown to have a deep love and appreciation for women’s hockey.

I sat down with Dunne to discuss the upcoming PWHL season, the importance of supporting women, and where his allegiance lies once the season starts.

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Full Press Coverage: What was going through your mind when you saw Ella had been drafted 4^th overall and Jincy 17^th overall?

Josh Dunne: I was super excited for both of them. I know they’ve been wanting a pro league for a long time. They’ve been working hard for it. So to finally see the draft happen and them get a little more clarity on where they’re going to be; I was just stoked for both of them.

FPC: Did you have a chance to talk to either of them right after?

JD: Yea, I tried to call them both. Ella was a little busy with some of the interviews and stuff because she was there. And same thing, my sister had a lot of calls and stuff. But, I was able to talk to them afterwards and they were both super happy and super excited about their respective cities.

FPC: What is the general buzz right now with both of them being drafted in the top 20 and signing contracts with their respective PWHL teams this month?

JD: Personally, I’m a little biased. I think they’re great players; both of them are. I was super happy for them. Like I mentioned, they’ve been working both so hard. So I’m proud of them both and I’m really excited for them to get their season going.

FPC: What do you think is the importance of investing in and supporting women’s sports? Especially at the professional level.

JD: Well, I mean, I see it firsthand. Like, they work so hard, and they do just as much if not more than us, and they deserve an opportunity as well because they’re putting their hearts and souls into it. So I think absolutely, they should be able to..

They support us, we should support them, and I think it’s only fair that way.

FPC: From the eyes of a brother and boyfriend, what has It been like to watch these dreams come to fruition?

JD: Oh, it’s incredible. I’ve obviously I’ve seen my sister grow up and have been dating my girlfriend for a few years now. Just to see kind of a little bit of a struggle — so to speak — with getting this league and how long it’s taken, how many hours is put in. I’m so happy for them because it’s something I’ve never had to go through. I was lucky enough to step into pro and have a great opportunity here. I’m so happy that they get this opportunity as well.

I’m excited for it to continue to grow and for future generations including my younger sisters. Yeah, no, I’m really excited for all of them — women’s sports and women’s hockey in general.

FPC: Did you ever think you would see the day that there was a league of this caliber that would come around? And that your sister would be able to be a part of it?  

JD: I personally, I think it was only a matter of time. I was always really optimistic, and I saw the hard work they’re putting in. So, I knew it was only a matter of time before it happened. So, like I mentioned, I’m so happy for women’s hockey, the league.

I got to know a lot of these girls for the past couple years, so I’m super excited for them. A lot of great people. It’ll be it’ll be a lot of fun to watch and I can’t wait to see it get going.

FPC: How have the women athletes in your life shaped you as a player?

JD: Well, I mean they’ve been an amazing support system for me. Growing up I had four sisters, so I was always around the women’s hockey game. And at Clarkson, too, with my girlfriend. I was always around them. You see how hard they work and how much time and effort they put in.

They don’t necessarily have the same benefits that we (men) get, even at college and growing up. They don’t have as many avenues. So, they’re going to maybe work a little bit harder, do a little bit more sometimes.

I see that struggle they put in. I see it every day. So, I’m just happy for them and finally it kind of shows through.

I think for them, on the influence, they just showed me to continue to work and persevere. You never really know what’s going on around you. But if you control what you do, then ultimately you’ll succeed.

FPC: Both Jincy and Ella are defenders. Have you been able to pick their brains to help give you an edge as a forward?

JD: Yea! Yea! We’ll talk hockey.

I’ll actually skate with them in the summer sometimes. We’ll pick each other’s brains just like regular hockey players and we talk through things. After games, we’ll pick each other’s minds.

It’s nice because they both understand what I’m going through as an athlete and a hockey player. They see the things that I see and I see the things that they see. So it’s really good to kind of bounce ideas off and learn that way.

FPC: When Ottawa and New York play, where will your allegiances lie? Or are you going to be like Mama Kelce and wear a jersey that’s half and half?

*insert joyously loud laughter from both of us here*

JD: I plead the fifth.

So, they play each other at the national level and they actually made me a t-shirt that says U S A E H. It’s kind of funny split half and half. One side is Jincy. The other side is Ella.

It’s all fun.

I just want to see them both succeed.

As you can see, the PWHL already has a number one fan, and his name is Josh Dunne.