The International Ice Hockey Federation’s first annual World Girls’ Hockey Day will be celebrated in rinks around the world this Sunday, including Oceanside.
According to Oceanside Minor Hockey’s Female Coordinator Sue Street, the mid-Island Blackhawks kick things off when they take to the ice Sunday 4 p.m. at Howie Meeker Arena against the Victoria Phantoms in Sr. A Women’s action; a great showcase for the game and a chance for younger girls and their families to see some of the best female hockey on the Island, then interact with the team after.
Following the game there will be a meet and greet with the players and coaching staff, “as well as an opportunity to participate in the speakers ‘Hot Stove’ to hear more about female hockey,” said Street, adding there will be cake and refreshments after the game.
Also scheduled to speak (subject to change) are Christina Sharun, Marissa Jordan and Phil Jordan.
Sharun will speak about educational opportunities with a ‘Road to college through female hockey’ talk and Q&A.
“Christina is a former high-performance hockey player who was the captain at our province’s team at the 2003 Canada Winter Games, and was a four-year letter winner at Yale University,” Street said, adding she was an apprentice coach for Team BC at the 2011 Canada Winter Games and is an assistant coach with Team BC, which will compete at the 2011 Female U18 National Championships.
“She has worked at all levels with the Island’s high performance hockey teams, most recently as a head coach with the North Island Extreme. Christina has a passion for hockey and strives to create a positive and fun environment for the athletes that she works with.”
Marissa Jordan, a local hockey trailblazer and team captain who helped form the Blackhawks, will speak about hard work and team building and her father Phil, head coach of the Blackhawks, will talk about “Player and parent relationships.”