The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) hosted its second annual Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend on Oct. 13-14. Bulldogs Youth Hockey Association from St. Peter, MN held an event at the Le Sueur Community Center that was a shining example of the event’s purpose.

The IIHF came up with Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend as a way to celebrate female participation in ice hockey by introducing more girls to the sport. On their website, they list the following as goals for event participants:

• be introduced to basic skills in hockey in a positive, fun and safe environment.
• learn about opportunities in ice hockey in their community.
• learn about fair play, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
• meet new friends and have a chance to fall in love with a new sport.

Bulldogs Youth Hockey got involved by organizing a girl’s only try hockey for free event. Event organizers put a major emphasis on getting current girls hockey players to each bring a friend. They also promoted the event through common mediums like their website, press releases, flyers in the local schools, and word of mouth.

The hard work paid off as 32 girls showed up to the event, 21 of which were non-members. By itself, that would constitute a good event, but it is even more impressive when you consider that the Bulldogs Hockey Association only has 23 registered girls in the association.

Juli Sowder, Secretary and one of the main leaders in the program’s recruiting and retention efforts, said the board is excited about the results, “Overall, we are very happy with the event. Of the 21 girls who joined us, about 7 of them are taking advantage of our Transition Program. We are hoping to add four or five to our U12 team. Those numbers will really help our program this year and down the road.”

Sowder has good reason to be excited. Similar to many associations, Bulldogs Youth Hockey has been struggling to get girls to come out and play hockey. “As a state, we need to work on getting more girls into hockey. It takes hard work and special events to do it,” stated Doug Foster, USA Hockey’s Girl’s/Women’s Representative for the Minnesota District. “Over the years, I have noticed that girls are social beings. They like to be around other girls. That is why events like these, which focus on getting the girls out on the ice by themselves, are the most successful.”

Girls' Hockey Weekend was organized by the IIHF as a worldwide celebration of Girls' Hockey. For pictures and a full list of events, click here.