Thrashers host 2009 -2010 Girls & Women’s Hockey Showcase
Over the last 6 seasons the Thrashers organization has been dedicated to growing the number of female players in the Southeast and to bringing greater awareness to those who currently play. Each year the interest and the activities surrounding this Girls & Women’s hockey weekend have increased. In addition to these amateur hockey enthusiasts, since 2003, the Girls & Women’s Hockey Showcase event has welcomed the sport’s top athletes.
USA Hockey has been a great partner in helping us bring these elite athletes and role models to our market. Since the program began we’ve had the privilege of featuring, Cammi Granato (‘98 & ‘02 Olympics), Sue Merz (‘98 Olympics), Shelly Looney (‘98 & ‘02 Olympics), Kirsten King (‘06 Olympics) and Jamie Hagerman (‘06 Olympics). This year we were lucky to have two time Olympian Julie Chu (’02 & ’06 Olympics) as our featured guest.
Chu, a two-time NCAA player of the year and two-time Olympic medalist worked with the players on the ice and hosted a pre-game talk about her path to becoming a student athlete, getting her diploma from Harvard University and representing her country on the sport’s biggest stage. To hear from Chu, right before she gears up for another run at Olympic glory, was a great experience for all in attendance.
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The 2009-2010 Thrashers Girls & Women’s Hockey Showcase also featured female hockey players throughout the in-game experience. 12 girl hockey players ranging from 6-19 years of age were acknowledged during the pregame ceremony. Each skated out to stand alongside an NHL player as the starting line ups were announced (click her for video).
Later, in the first intermission, 6 members of the all girls Georgia Student Hockey League Team hit the ice to compete against select members of the Lady Thrashers and other adult players from Jacksonville and Little Rock. Julie Chu was also on the ice for some commentating with Thrashers Emcee, J Bird! (click here for video)
The last activity of the day was an all female hockey shootout during the second intermission. Female players of all ages and skill levels went to battle for bragging rights in front of the Thrashers crowd! Check out the video to see some great breakaway moves and to see what happens when one of the Thrashers own Blue Crew members gives the shootout a shot!
