19 communities from Minnesota joined USA Hockey and federations from around the world this past Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 6-7) in celebrating the eighth annual IIHF World Girls Hockey Weekend. As part of the celebration, USA Hockey affiliates and local associations combined to host more than 120 events across 31 states from coast to coast.
Girls hockey is among the fastest growing youth sports in the United States. Under USA Hockey's stewardship, the total number of females playing ice hockey in the U.S. has increased 33 percent to almost 80,000 over a 10-season span. Over that same span, the total number of female hockey players in Minnesota, which has led the country in girls hockey players since the 1990’s, increased by over 18 percent to nearly 14,000.
For highlights of the Girls Hockey Weekend celebration on social media, check out the #GirlsHockey and #WGIHW hashtags or see the snapshots below. For a complete list of the participating communities in Minnesota, click here.
Girls try hockey in Cloquet, great to have everyone out, a lot of new faces and some new signups. Special thank you to all that helped out and our @CECgirlshockey for sharing the days with future Jacks.#growthegame #GirlsHockey @MinnHockey pic.twitter.com/IBUY3eHNc2
— CAHA (@cloquet_hockey) October 7, 2018
Allie Thunstrom and Amanda Leveille from @WhitecapsHockey and Laura Halldorson, first Gopher Women's Hockey Coach inspiring the next generation of girls hockey players at this year's World Girls Hockey Day Celebration #GirlsHockey #WGIHW @YouthHockeyHub @MinnHockey @GopherWHockey pic.twitter.com/Fma4FgqDpP
— CCHA Girls Hockey (@CCHAGirlsHockey) October 6, 2018
GIRL PARTY! EPHA celebrates World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend. What a blast!#WGIHW #GirlsHockey pic.twitter.com/XEabSKOoQe
— Eden Prairie Hockey (@HockeyEPHA) October 6, 2018
Happy Girls Hockey Day! Delano girls hockey going strong & growing the game. #WGIHW #GirlsHockey pic.twitter.com/O2oqe2sR3M
— Joshua Simonson (@Jrsimo00) October 8, 2018
Great turnout for our @mvhockey Girls Season kickoff! #GirlsHockey #WGIHW @MVIHockey @usahockey Next stop @WhitecapsHockey opening game! Good luck to all our girls!! U8 to HS!! pic.twitter.com/j5RU3mJU0G
— Jen (@lv2sk8mn) October 6, 2018
We had an awesome turnout for our celebration of World Girls’ Hockey Day, over 50 skaters!! A special shout out to our on ice helpers and HS volunteers- you rocked! Thanks to all who came out to support Girls’ Hockey! #brainerdhockey #GirlsHockey #WGIHW pic.twitter.com/pddffhEMKK
— Brainerd Amateur Hoc (@BrdYouthHockey) October 7, 2018
Thanks @WhitecapsHockey and @NWHL for the great event today! These girls from @OMGHA2k had a great time! #GirlsHockey #WGIHW #RollCaps pic.twitter.com/sVA86bHqw5
— Brian Grant (@grantzky99) October 7, 2018
Happy World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend! #GirlsHockey #WGIHW #BisonPride pic.twitter.com/V56BaEeBrd
— Buffalo Bison Hockey (@BisonBoysHockey) October 6, 2018
What is IIHF World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend?
World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend is a special worldwide opportunity for girls and women of all ages to try ice hockey and celebrate the game. Event hosts are encouraged to: