Record Numbers in U.S. for IIHF World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A record 147 locations across the U.S. participated in the fourth annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend this past Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 11-12).
"It's terrific to see our country get behind this initiative like it has," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "Our passionate volunteer base did a tremendous job of helping celebrate this year's event and continues to influence the growth of girls and women's hockey."
The 147 locations that participated marked the most of any country in the world and also eclipsed the previous U.S. high of 120 sites established last year.
Olympians Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) and Anne Schleper (St. Cloud, Minn.), helped bring national visibility to IIHF World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend by skating in practices with the Anaheim Ducks (Knight) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Schleper) and also participating in other event-related activities.
In all, 35 states hosted events such as youth hockey clinics, hockey jamborees, Try Hockey for Free opportunities, female-only tournaments, introductory information sessions about the sport and other hockey-themed gatherings with support from teams in the NHL, AHL, NCAA and USHL as well as USA Hockey affiliates and local associations.
