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Lakeville's Tricia Ticen Named Volunteer of the Month

By Minnesota Hockey, 11/09/14, 8:00AM CST

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Congratulations to Tricia Ticen of Lakeville Hockey Association (LHA)! Ticen has been selected for the Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month in recognition of her efforts as Volunteer Coordinator and a team manager.

Referred to as a “Volunteer Queen” by fellow association members, Ticen plays a key role in keeping LHA running as a well-oiled machine.  This week we sat down with Ticen to find out more about her involvement with Lakeville hockey and the impact she has throughout the season.

Minnesota Hockey: Tell us more about what you do for Lakeville Hockey Association.

Tricia Ticen: “My main goal as a Volunteer Coordinator is to help keep the costs of playing hockey down as low as possible. We do that by asking parents to volunteer for tasks that would otherwise require paid staff. Common examples include everything from running the clock during games to staffing at recent events such as tryouts and registration. Each family is required to complete a set number of hours, and my partner, Janelle, and I are in charge of coordinating the shifts and schedules for all of those volunteer hours. If there are ever shifts that go unfilled, we either step in to handle it or find someone else willing to chip in. It really requires a willingness and desire to help whenever needed because at times there’s a lot involved, but I’m so blessed to be a part of this association and board. They really care about these kids and would do anything to help me as well.“

MH: How did you get originally get involved?

TT: “I was at a parent party one of our first years on a travel team. One of the moms mentioned she needed help, and I offered to pitch in. I thought I was just helping with a few open shifts for the weekend. Next thing I know, I was at a board meeting getting voted in and welcomed as a board member. I was just simply offering help to a mom on our team, and it quickly blossomed into much more. I’m glad I did now. You see so much more about what makes hockey tick and how much time these people put in. There’s so much more to it than you realize.”

MH: What keeps you motivated?

TT: “The biggest thing is my love for hockey goes above and beyond what happens on the ice. My position is a small part of a big picture. I’m glad to be able to play a role in helping kids develop confidence, teambuilding skills and so much more. I don’t have the skills to coach. (laughs) I can’t even skate any more so this is how I can help.”

MH: What has been your most significant achievement?

TT: “There have been a lot of small changes we were able to implement that I think will make things easier for years to come, but the thing I’m most proud about is how many people I’ve been able to tell about hockey and get them involved with the game. To get them into the game and excited about our program is such a rewarding feeling.”

Thank you Tricia Ticen for the time and energy you have put into energizing the volunteers in the Lakeville Hockey Association! Volunteers are such a critical part of our hockey model in Minnesota, and it’s people like you that make playing hockey in Minnesota so special.

Nominate a volunteer in your community today for the Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month! Each recipient receives a certificate recognizing their hard work and a $100 Total Hockey gift card to use online or in the store. Nominators also receive a $50 Total Hockey gift card.

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