World Girls' Hockey Day was an event spearheaded by the International Ice Hockey Federation.[1] 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.[2]
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.[3]
- 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.[4]
- Australia, Belarus, Finland, France, Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden
References
- ↑ http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/sport/women/world-girls-hockey-day.html
- ↑ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/iihf-world-girls-day-intended-to-boost-recruitment/article2187145/
- ↑ http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/174498/la_id/1.htm
- ↑ http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=PL_07&id=307630