Congratulations to Carlena Weiland of St. Michael-Albertville Youth Hockey Association (STMAYHA)! Carlena has been selected as the Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month for her efforts with STMAYHA.

There is a long list of reasons why people become youth hockey coaches.  Many played when they were younger and are looking to give back to the game. Others step up to help because they have kids playing. A select few get involved with the main priority of being a role model and helping kids develop as a person, in addition to doing so as an athlete. That would describe Carlena.

She doesn’t have an extensive hockey background. In fact, she spent most of her first season as a mite coach learning to skate along with the players, but the people around her believe she couldn’t do a better job fulfilling her purpose.

“She was dismayed by the lack of female coaches and role models for the girls in the program,” states Shawn Wilson, another mite coach for STMAYHA. “This year, she took the matter into her own hands and learned to skate... Carlena embodies the spirit of youth hockey, getting out there and giving it your best, no matter what.”

Many leaders in girls’ hockey have found that girls are more likely to play and have more fun when playing with other girls. Unfortunately, the number of female coaches lags considerably behind males even for girls’ teams.  Carlena’s leadership and dedication towards growing the game is a great example for women looking to make a positive impact on girls’ hockey.

Total Hockey and Minnesota Hockey are excited to recognize Carlena’s outstanding efforts. Thank you to all of our fantastic on and off ice volunteers!

The Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month recognizes one volunteer each month during the youth hockey season.  Each volunteer receives a $50 Total Hockey gift card and five sets of starter hockey gear will be contributed in his/her name to their association, courtesy of Total Hockey.