Girl Power on the Ice

Ice Hockey. It’s not just for the boys. Girls play and they play hard. They play quick. They play with agility. One of the best days of the year is when college kids and USA Hockey organize the Girls Hockey Play Day at rinks all over the country. There is something cool about seeing your daughters and other girls suit up in all of the hockey gear, grab their sticks and go out on the ice for some drills and coordinated play. This year both my daughters suited up and gave it a try. The hockey organization provides all of the equipment that is needed (and there is a LOT of it!). I write all of the equipment on a piece of paper so that my girls can keep track of what they have and what they need to put back in their bags or give back to the organizers. Sometimes we lose a set of hockey gloves or elbow pads, but mostly we get home with all of the right stuff. Getting the right fit on the helmet is critical, as are the right size skates and stick. Each girl who participates gets a USA hockey jersey to wear and take home! One of the coolest things to wear for sure is a USA jersey. The coaches are friendly and I always see improvement in the way the girls skate or handle the puck or shoot on goal, even after only one session. Some girls stay on for the season and play with the Mites, and higher levels, while others play with their friends and brothers in pick-up games on local ponds or rinks throughout the winter. Next year, look for the next Girls Hockey Play Day! There is a second day for both boys and girls and I always encourage my girls to attend that one as well, but there is a still a special place in my heart for the all-girls session!

Visit us at www.besporthappy.com for more info on the 35 sports available for kids in Saratoga ages 3-13. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/besporthappy or join our Be Sport Happy Saratoga Equipment Exchange group on Facebook and exchange used sports equipment with other Saratoga families: www.facebook.com/groups/besporthappy. Also find us at www.healtheconcessions.com and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/healtheconcessions.