BETHLEHEM, Pa. – From learning how to pass the puck to skating.
“Hockey is a great sport, it’s for everyone and we want everybody to be able to play,” said Keith Krem, Phantoms Youth vice president of hockey operations and Steel Ice Center owner.
Girls ages 4-12 from across our area hit the ice inside Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem on Saturday.
“This is a try hockey for free event, which is a USA Hockey sponsored event but this is for girls specifically,” said Krem.
Krem said girls hockey is a significant part of the Phantoms Youth program and is definitely growing.
“The idea here is that they get to come out and try the greatest game on earth and experience it for free and hopefully get interested and funnel into some of our other programs,” said Krem.
“We’re trying out ice hockey today. There’s lots of kids here,” said Savannah, who participated in the event. “I’ve took two lessons and done one of these practices once before and I wanted to try it again,” said Savannah.
“I think that they’re doing great, especially because it’s mostly their first time playing,” said Lauren Hawk, a volunteer.
Hawk said she has been playing hockey for around 10 years now.
She was one of the volunteers sharing her passion for the game to inspire other girls.
“I hope that they enjoy their time here and I hope that they learn new things and I hope that it makes them want to pursue hockey and continue playing,” said Hawk.
Krem said there is one thing specifically he hopes girls on the ice here walk away with.
“That it’s fun, you know. More than anything, they have a little bit of fun. I think that’s the number one thing without question cause if it’s fun they’re going to want to come back,” said Krem.
Rental skates were free and sticks were donated for Saturday’s event.
Girls who participated are also receiving free tickets for a Phantoms game at the PPL Center.