By Janet Schultz, NYHOL (File Photos by Janet©)
Over 12 years ago a group of concerned parents, coaches and athletic directors got together and brought a vision of a high school girls varsity ice hockey league from an idea to a reality. These girls were just looking to play high school hockey, perhaps on to collegiate and maybe the professional ranks. But they also wanted to share their love of hockey with younger players and continue the growth.
It is so great to see that in the next couple weeks four of our former players in the WNYGVIH League are sharing their knowledge with younger players and preparing them for next season.
Brooke Becker, a star player for Frontier/Orchard Park/Lakeshore; along with Elli Simmons (KGI) and Emma Roland (Williamsville) are hosting a Spring Skills Clinic on Sunday at Depew Ice Pavilion. This clinic will prepare 2011 and 2012 birth year girls for tryouts in April.
Becker currently plays for Providence College; Roland for RIT and Simmons has made her commitment to the University of Vermont.
To register: please Venmo @brookebecker18 and signup by 3/5.
Another former player, Maddie Norton, has taken her knowledge and opened the Maddie Norton Sports Performance and Personal Training Center. But she now has gone beyond dry-land training.
Norton will be holding Pre-Tryout Skills Clinics on March 13 and March 14 to prepare girls for their tryouts in April. The March 13 clinic for 9 and 10 year olds is filled but there are spaces for the 8-9 year olds on March 14. The Clinic will be held at the Depew Ice Pavilion from 6 to 7 p.m. For information go to https://www.facebook.com/maddienortonsportsperformance and follow the link.
Norton played for LID and went on to the University of Buffalo. She was then a member of the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL (now PHF). Her experience in hockey and hockey skills is vast.
While this may sound like a promo piece for Clinics hosted by players; it’s a tribute to the fact that these young ladies want to share their knowledge in the arena of women’s high school, collegiate and professional ice hockey.
In addition to these, there is a clinic being hosted by the Niagara University Men’s Head Coach, Ian Burt, and his players. This clinic is also to prepare girls for tryouts. It will be held March 8, 10, 15, 16, 22, 24, 29 and 31 at Dwyer Arena on the NU campus from 7-8 p.m. For information email [email protected].
They will sharpen the players skills while maintaining fitness and covering such skills as edge work, balance, shooting and decision-making. Cost for this is $150.
