Girls Can Give Hockey A Shot For Free
Girls age 12 and younger are invited to give hockey a try for free from 7:10-8:10 p.m. on Monday, July 23, at the Triphahn Ice Arena, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Skates and sticks will be provided for the girls to use (bring a bike helmet and ski gloves). Coaches will be available to help kids learn about the game through activities and games. The event is free but participants must RSVP to Randy Jordan at rjordan@heparks.org. Participants should arrive early to be fitted for skates.
The girls' hockey program started at HE Parks in 2014, with a handful of participants and it has grown to a robust program with more than 40 girls participating in 2018.
"Hockey is a fantastic sport for girls. It's the ultimate sport for health and camaraderie," said Randy Jordan, assistant general manager of Ice Operations for the Hoffman Estates Park District's Triphahn Ice Arena.
Jordan, who has been coaching the sport for more than 40 years, said, "girls are fantastic at learning the fine aspects of the game."
In addition, the park district's hockey lessons program includes additional off-ice conditioning and fitness training that enhances sports performance.
In addition to the Wolverines program, Jordan was instrumental in establishing the Wolf Pack Hockey Club for the HE Parks. He is a USA Hockey Masters Level coach that was named Coach of the Year in 2007 by the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, and has won many championships as a coach and also a player from captain in junior hockey in Canada to playing in various upper level men's leagues.
Jordan has been coaching all levels from house, junior, college and pro camps since he was 16 and has a passion to help players learn the skills to enjoy the game as he has over the years. He started the successful Overspeed Hockey Schools in 1998 and in 2004 joined HE Parks where he developed the Wolf Pack Hockey Club to provide specialty hockey training to the surrounding area.
Some of the most common questions that Jordan hears from parents include:
Q: Is there a big investment in equipment to start hockey?
A: No, the park district supplies equipment at no charge for players to start.
Q: Is hockey safe for kids?
A: The park district provides quality equipment, which equates to no more injuries than most youth sports.
Q: Is hockey hard to learn?
A: The first steps are challenging but in the long term it is a very enjoyable sport.
Q: Are the lessons always in the early morning?
A: No, lessons are generally in late afternoons and on weekends.
Q: What if my child can't skate?
A: No worries! The park district's professional staff is superb at taking the intimidated new player and quickly converting them to love skating.
To learn more about the schedules and fees for these camps visit heparks.org. The camps are open to all residents and nonresidents of Hoffman Estates.
For information on these and many other camps offered at the Triphahn Center, contact Jordan at rjordan@heparks.org or (847) 285-5501 or visit heparks.org.