The team invited the kids from Drexel Neumann Academy to their senior game at Ice Works in Aston, Delaware County. They first served them lunch and allowed them to participate in a Q&A with the coach and players, then let them sit on the bench during warm-ups and secure a front row seat. for the game.

“That work ethic that you put on ice, it also applies to other things, like school and your career, so it teaches a lot of life lessons that can be used later in life, even when you stop playing,” Victoria said. Maloney, junior on the team.

Maloney took the time to speak with sophomore Prisceda Hickman before the game.

“I wanted to see the game today, so my mom signed me up so I could come,” Hickman said.

Several of the players are alumni of Snider Hockey, a program that features women’s ice hockey teams. Snider also helped organize this event.

“Try something once and see if you like it, so just give them the opportunity to see it at a young age and try it at a young age, they can choose and choose if they like it “said Gina McLaughlin, the head coach. of the Neumann women’s ice hockey team.

Women’s and women’s ice hockey is one of the fastest growing youth sports in the country. USA Hockey says attendance has increased 34% over the past decade.

“It’s about having fun and showing it all off, so I really want to see the sport grow for girls,” Maloney said.

The visibility of women’s ice hockey has never been higher. The United States Women’s National Team just won silver at the Olympics, and sports fans say now is the time to recruit.

“I think it’s just visibility, being able to see it and knowing you can do it,” McLaughlin said.

Her team hopes to prove to girls that hockey is for them too.

“People thought girls shouldn’t play hockey, but often we can play harder, sometimes even better than guys,” said Jasmine Martinez, a senior on the team.