Youth hockey group
sponsoring 2 girls teams
PRESQUE ISLE — Hockey … it’s not just for boys anymore. Since 1992, the growth of females in hockey has risen from 10,000 players to over 65,000. Presque Isle Youth Hockey has seen growth as well. And with a few more players, the organization could be poised to sponsor two all-female teams.
ASHLEY COWLEY of Easton is one of the female participants in the Presque Isle Youth Hockey Association program this winter. 
“This is a very exciting step for us,” said Doug Carlisle, president of the Presque Isle Youth Hockey board. “We began four years ago with a group of high school-aged girls who were bound and determined to have a team of their own. They pulled their friends onto the ice, regardless of experience, and created a recreation team that played in our New Brunswick league for three years. They had heart.”
In 2011, most of those girls graduated from high school and were no longer eligible to play in the league. Last season’s team was not large enough to play in the league, but rather than drop the concept of the all-girls team, the PIYH association sponsored a developmental team that still had ice time to learn and practice skills and play games internally. It seems keeping that interest alive has paid off.
Melanie Maynard will be coaching the Novice team, for girls ages 7 to 10. Maynard was one of the girls who played on the recreation team three years ago. She is committed to seeing other girls have the same opportunity she did in playing a league schedule, so she is recruiting.
“New players don’t have to be experienced, they just need to have the desire to learn, try hard and have fun,” said Maynard. “Hockey was a great experience for me. I learned the value of team work, coordination, and thinking on the ice. And it is great exercise. Skating and hockey is something that women can be involved with for the rest of their lives.”
Vanessa Buuck is coaching the Pee Wee recreation team for girls ages 11 to 14. This is Buuck’s first year as head coach of the Peewee Girls Team. She started ice hockey at the Peewee age herself, and has played on various teams down state. Buuck knows what it is like to start at a later age and wants these girls to not only have fun but to have a great experience and grow along the way.
Carlisle noted that some parents think hockey is too rough for girls. But as the parent of a daughter who plays, he thinks hockey is a great sport for girls.
“My daughter loves it. One of our coaches and board members only has daughters and they love it. Hockey is a great game no matter what your gender,” he said. “But if it makes parents feel more comfortable, there is no checking in the recreational league where the girls play.”
Presque Isle Youth Hockey started its season but can still accept girls or boys from any central Aroostook town at any level. Children from ages 4 through 14 can be placed on a team. Beginners are welcome. For more information, contact Carlisle at 768-0523.
