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Duane Lindahl Named Volunteer of the Month

By Minnesota Hockey, 03/27/17, 8:45AM CDT

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Congratulations to Duane Lindahl of the Cottage Grove Hockey Association (CGHA) on being named Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month! Lindahl has been involved with CGHA as a coach and volunteer for eight years, including serving as the Vice President for the past two seasons.

Lindahl got his start with CGHA when his daughter joined the Girls 8U program. He volunteered to help coach and stayed with that group of girls for six seasons as they moved to higher levels of hockey.

“He taught them respect, sportsmanship, a never give up attitude and fostered a true love of the game in each one of the girls he's coached,” said Amanda Alberts, whose daughter has played for Lindahl all six seasons. “The hard work of the girls and coaches were rewarded when the 12U B team earned a trip to the 2015 State Tournament in New Ulm, MN.”

Following that special 12U season, Lindahl stepped aside from the youth coaching ranks and re-directed his efforts. He took on a leadership role with CGHA, becoming the Vice President. While his new role brought new responsibilities and challenges, Lindahl continued to be an advocate for girls’ hockey, including playing a key role in helping the tournament committee host CGHA’s first two all-girls hockey tournaments.

Lindahl also took his coaching experience and applied it to introducing women in Cottage Grove to the game of hockey, as a part of a new C3 team in the Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota (WHAM).

“Many of us have never skated in an organized game, mostly pond hockey or playing around with our kids on the ice,” said Alberts, who went from having Lindahl coach her kids to being one of his players. “We are 18 women who fell in love with the game through our own children or nieces and nephews.”

“He has unselfishly given his time for the benefit of our children and the association. He continues to do so all while working full time, being a great dad and husband…He does what he does for the girls and to share his love of the game.”

Minnesota Hockey and Total Hockey would like to thank Duane for everything he’s done to enhance the hockey experience for girls, women and all hockey players in Cottage Grove!  It is volunteers like Duane across our state who make community hockey in Minnesota so special. 

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