Gloucester High School's girls hockey program enjoyed a great winter campaign last season, earning a ticket to the state tournament for the first time in more than 20 years and the first time since returning as a varsity team four years ago.
And looking at the level of interest from youth levels in the city, it's safe to say that the future of Gloucester women's ice hockey remains bright for many years to come.
On Sunday, Cape Ann Youth Hockey (CAYH) partnered with the Boston Bruins to host the first all-girls “Learn to Skate” session on the North Shore. The event was held at Dorothy Talbot Rink in Gloucester, where over 60 girls from the age of 5 to her 10s had an afternoon of fun.
Gloucester High School field hockey coach Lauren Riley-Grove, who helped plan the event with CAYH, said: “It was amazing to see so many girls come to the games, especially the varsity team, who had such a great year. “Right after that,” he said. Riley Grove, a member of Gloucester's first girls' high school hockey team in the late 1990s, noted the recent addition of five women to the coaching staff by the Cape Ann program.
“Of course, given the success of the new women's professional hockey league and female athletes in general, it's very gratifying to see such progress,” she added.
The event featured numerous volunteers, including local female high school athletes, as well as Boston Bruins mascot Blaze the Bruin, who joined the aspiring young athletes. The Blades took part in a variety of on-ice activities, including lessons and games, while taking time to take photos with the girls.
“Not only do we have 40 girls between the ages of 5 and 10, but we also have over a dozen young women from Cape Ann Hockey and other neighborhood programs who cheer them on and keep them smiling. ” said a CAYH development officer. hockey coach Todd Johnson; “With the support of the Bruins organization and Cape Ann Youth Hockey, Cape Ann women's hockey is strong!”
