Oregon Celebrates Girls Hockey with Statewide Expo in Eugene

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Media Contact:
Joy Pendowski
Oregon Girls Development Chair
541-321-3651
joy.pendowski@oregonstatehockey.com

Saturday, October 16, 2021

EUGENE, Ore. — Today, Oregon celebrates girls who play hockey as a part of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Girls’ Hockey Weekend, an international event aimed at building awareness, supporting current players and growing participation of females in the sport.

Girls hockey continues to be one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the United States and overall since 2009, total female participation (including youth and adult players) within USA Hockey has risen to more than 84,000, an increase of 37 percent.

Today’s event in Eugene brings together girls ages 4-19 years old and coaches from across the state to participate in on and off ice activities, including a special presentation from Seattle Kraken Youth Player Development Coach Katelyn Parker and a game where the state’s only all-girls team, Team Oregon 16U AA, will take on the Sno-King Jr. Thunderbirds 16U AA.

This event is free and open to the public.

Event Schedule:

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Off-Ice Activities with Nationally Recognized Coach Lanae Falls

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Team Oregon Practice / Player Seminar with Katelyn Parker

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ice Session #1 (skills) / Team Oregon Seminar with Katelyn Parker

5:15 - 6:30 p.m. Team Oregon 16U AA Girls vs. Sno-King Jr. Thunderbirds 16U AA Girls

6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Ice Session #2 (game-like skills)

About the Oregon State Hockey Association:
The Oregon State Hockey Association is the governing body for Amateur Hockey in the state of Oregon. OSHA is sanctioned as an Affiliate of USA Hockey, the national governing body for Amateur Hockey in the United States. Oregon is fully committed to USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) for player development, and seeks to provide playing opportunities for all ages at multiple levels of competitiveness. USA Hockey programs in Oregon include OSHA member associations and other USAH sanctioned programs. 

https://www.oregonstatehockey.com/

About Katelyn Parker:
A native of Bellingham, Wash., Katelyn Parker is returning to her home state after spending the last three seasons coaching for the Division I NCAA University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies Women's Hockey program. Parker helped guide the Huskies to playoff appearances in all three years including the Hockey East finals and Semifinals the past two seasons. Prior to joining the Huskies, she coached two seasons as an assistant at Brown University.
Before becoming a collegiate coach, Parker was a member of the Colgate Raiders women's hockey team, where she served as the team's captain. As a forward, she played in 141 games over her career, the most in program history. Parker was a four-time recipient of the Sportsmanship Award, given to person that represents the true meaning of "team". Growing up, she played for the Whatcom Warriors, Washington Wild, and Team Pacific.

https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/ktc-announces-youth-hockey-and-skating-academy-coaching-staff/c-323640192

About Lanae Falls:
https://www.oregonstatehockey.com/news/congratulations-coach-of-the-month

About IIHF World Girls’ Hockey Weekend:
https://www.iihf.com/en/static/5137/world-girls-ice-hockey-weekend

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