October 2019

Welcome to the first edition of GottaLoveCT GirlsHockey, a newsletter dedicated to growing and showcasing girls hockey...and the girls who play!

In This Edition:  Grow Girl! with Meghan Duggan: Taking Risks Risk Rewarded Stories

In the Community From USA Hockey Reader Poll Winter Whiteout Tournament Connecticut Whale Tickets

Grow Girl! with Meghan Duggan

Taking Risks Olympic champion (and new member of the CT Hockey community) Meghan Duggan shares how taking risks can help girls grow. Plus, find out what risk a coach asked her take one month before the 2014 Olympics...and how that risk paid off! WATCH NOW

Girls, join the conversation! You could win an autographed picture from Meghan! Comment on Meghan's Instagram post with a time you took a risk that helped you grow. Use hashtag #growgirl and include your CT Hockey team. Meghan will send one awesome girl an autographed picture!

Risk Rewarded

Nolan Brustman didn't start playing hockey until age 14! She took a risk and joined a Shoreline Sharks Junior Shark Learn to Play program targeted towards older girls. Nolan says, "When I first joined, I was quite nervous because it was my first year skating and playing hockey. Once I became friends with the other teammates and coaches, it got easier. They made me feel welcome and that I was part of something." Nolan has since made a travel team - a risk rewarded!

"I have gone outside my comfort zone while participating in many hockey clinics and camps where I didn’t know anyone. The reward is that I have become a better hockey player and made some great new friends!" - Amanda, age 13, CT Polar Bears 14UT1 "I'm a goalie. I saw one of my teammates do a split save in goal. I practiced it and tried it in a game. I succeeded and made the save." - Lauren Wry, age 9, ECHO Stars "When I first made a travel squirt team I was nervous that I would make mistakes. I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes." - Eva Kelleher, age 10, ECHO Stars

"A risk I have taken in hockey is switching from offense to defense. It has given me the opportunity to better understand both positions and improve my hockey sense on the ice. Taking this risk made me try something outside my comfort zone and has helped me with my confidence both on the ice and off." - Maddie, age 13, CT Polar Bears 14UT1 "I started playing on a U12 girls team at ECHO even though I'm U10. I'm learning from my teammates and using what I've learned in my Squirt games." - Abigail Kenney, age 10, ECHO Stars

In the Community

Emelia Brandi, Shoreline Sharks U12 Emelia was named the "pediatric hero" for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Take Steps Walk in Madison. Emelia was sick for a long time before being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 6. The battle of being sick for so long (and not knowing what it was) and now living with the disease has made Emelia a stronger and more determined person.  more

Francesca Brucata, Putnam 12U Not only does Francesca make a difference on the ice, but she also makes a difference in her community! Francesca volunteers at a local soup kitchen and recently participated in a local walk to help battle epilepsy.

From USA Hockey

Amanda Kessel Named Ambassador for New York Rangers'... "It's a huge deal," Kessel said. "Growing up, I had people who inspired me and kept me playing hockey, and now to be in a position to be able to do that, it's only right and it's very fulfilling to be able to give back to the sport." Read more www.usahockey.com

Rangers Youth Clinics Help Celebrate IIHF Girls' Hockey... Participants were given free rental skates and loaner gear for the clinics, along with a free Rangers hockey stick to take home. Following the event, attendees and their families were treated to a meet-and-greet with the women's hockey players.... Read more www.usahockey.com

October's Poll for Girls Who Play

Stay tuned for the results in next month's newsletter!

Girls, was your first hockey team a: Girls Team Select Co-ed Team Select

All-Girls Winter Tournament NWHL Connecticut Whale Ticket Opportunity SheIS is an organization dedicated to the empowerment of girls and women in sport! They have been given funding from Adidas to bring local youth (boys and girls) to attend women's sporting events and are inviting youth organizations within the area to attend the 10/26 and 11/17 Connecticut Whale game.  If you are interested in bringing your organization to one of the NWHL Connecticut Whale games, please send us an email to see if your organization qualifies for free tickets! Contact: Lindsey Barrera lindsey@sheissport.com

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