IIHF World Girls' Hockey Day

World Girls' Hockey Day was an event spearheaded by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The first celebration took place on 2nd October 2011. Coming out of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the IIHF implemented a strategy to develop women's hockey and close gaps between countries in international competition.

Events

Events include opportunities for girls of all ages to try ice hockey. Initiatives include introduction to basic skills, and learning about opportunities to play in their community.

USA Hockey

• For the first World Girls' Hockey Day, the following Olympic ice hockey players participated:

• • Meghan Duggan, Hilary Knight: Stoughton, Wisconsin, Try Hockey for Free Clinic
  • Anne Schelper, Jen Schoullis: Shakopee, Minneosta, Mother-Daughter skate
  • Caitlin Cahow, Gigi Marvin, Bri Mastel, Molly Schaus: Waltham, Massachusetts, Try Hockey for Free Clinic
  • Kaliya Johnson, Annie Pankowski, Paige Savage: Jay, Vermont, North American Hockey Academy Game and Open Skate

• The following NCAA schools held events:

• Northeastern University is working with the Middlesex Islanders
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will participate with the Troy Albany Ice Cats in Troy, N.Y.
• St. Cloud State University is hosting an event at their home rink, the National Hockey Center
• Yale University is working with the Connecticut Polar Bears in Killingworth, Conn

Involved associations

• Hockey Canada: Events for the first World Hockey Day were held by Hockey Canada in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
• USA Hockey: According to USA Hockey, the first World Girls' Hockey Day will involve 76 local hockey associations and five NCAA colleges hosting events on October 2, 2011.
• Australia, Belarus, Finland, France, Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden