Why Paulina Gretzky’s style still makes NHL audiences uncomfortable — and why that discomfort proves she changed the cultural playbook

Paulina Gretzky challenged NHL’s traditional uniformity by embracing a visible, glamorous personal brand. Her unapologetic self-direction and lifestyle image, rooted in confidence and fashion, polarized audiences but signaled a cultural shift. She demonstrated that women could be a prominent presence in hockey culture, proving image itself can be a powerful statement.