Yes, it’s possible to pair very young boys and girls against each other in little-tyke leagues. But even by middle school, male skaters are taller and heavier than their female counterparts. They benefit from greater bone density, muscle mass, power-to-weight ratios, and lung capacity. As World Rugby noted when it banned biological men from female competition, men are, on average, over 50 percent stronger than females, and 10 to 15 percent faster. Male hockey players cover more ice with longer strides, have longer reach, and longer sticks that correspond to their taller frames (a rule of thumb is that your stick should come up to your nose when you’re standing without skates). They can shoot harder and at longer distances, yielding more scoring and passing options. - Quilette

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