HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

Ok folks time to poll the board. From Youth to highschool to college and beyond attendance at a girls/womans hockey game is at best minimal. Yet the sport continues to grow numbers and ability continue to climb. Purests relate it back a skillfull style of hockey where barbarian NHL driven philosophy will site the lack of checking, notice I didnt say contact. So what gives people what needs to happen to draw some crowds and support for therse girls. looking for answers not more reasons ,I step back to listen

Media. IMO... I believe you should have given more reasons why NOT to attend. I won't vote because none of the answers would fit my reasons. I will attend any and all that I can get to.

Again, IMO... Anyone not attending because there's no checking, well then, maybe I wouldn't want them there anyway. Girls hockey needs good, hard, physical play, but does not need checking. Just take the Olympics for example... Fast action, physical, great hockey... And the numbers of people who tuned into watch speaks for itself. We all couldn't just jump on a plane to Vancouver! But those who love and support girls hockey watched.

If you look at the state tournament, there were some conflicts with the Boy's section play, as well as youth associations district tournaments (I believe someone mentioned that on a different thread). I think it's to bad that the DI and DIII games are somewhat at the same time this coming weekend. Although, one could argue that its pretty cool that both tournaments are happening here in MN, and you will be able to catch games in each division, if you choose to drive back and forth from Ridder and Gustavus.

Last... Economics, Economics, Economics... enough said

Media, I think its public awareness that holds girls hockey back. My example is simple. I have an office full of people that had no idea how far girls hockey had come since its inception. It wasn't until a friend of mine's hockey team, (that just so happened to win the state tournament this year), whom I made my office watch, then realized how good of a game its becoming. They were amazed at the amount of physical content there was without checing and how far the skating has come.

I'll be honest, I think the boys high school game has become too physical. They seem to miss out on alot of the skill part of the game because they are so caught up in finishing checks...to a point where they've taken themselves out of the play. I guess maybe thats why I appreciate the girls game so much. Its about controlling the puck and puck protection. Its about angling and body position. They don't focus so much on the big hit because they can't, so they have to focus in on the details.

Regarding what they can do to get the word out, I wish there was a big website that just lists all the games from high school to college, from select teams to tournaments and all the dates, times, and venues so people could just get on the site and see all the different options they have to see all the great games and leagues that are out there. Not to forget the great thing you're doing with the Crunch. I would love to know when they play in the city so I could see them. I consider myself involved in the game, but I never know when any of the games are going on unless invited to it. Maybe even subscribe to this site so it could remind you with an e-mail to check out the daily games.

Personally I would love to know when NDP tryouts and games are. But unless I have a kid in it, I would never know. Same with good D-3 games, if its not in front of me, I'd end up watching tv looking to see if the Wild are on.

Hansonbrother wrote:Media, I think its public awareness that holds girls hockey back. My example is simple. I have an office full of people that had no idea how far girls hockey had come since its inception. It wasn't until a friend of mine's hockey team, (that just so happened to win the state tournament this year), whom I made my office watch, then realized how good of a game its becoming. They were amazed at the amount of physical content there was without checing and how far the skating has come.

I'll be honest, I think the boys high school game has become too physical. They seem to miss out on alot of the skill part of the game because they are so caught up in finishing checks...to a point where they've taken themselves out of the play. I guess maybe thats why I appreciate the girls game so much. Its about controlling the puck and puck protection. Its about angling and body position. They don't focus so much on the big hit because they can't, so they have to focus in on the details.

Regarding what they can do to get the word out, I wish there was a big website that just lists all the games from high school to college, from select teams to tournaments and all the dates, times, and venues so people could just get on the site and see all the different options they have to see all the great games and leagues that are out there. Not to forget the great thing you're doing with the Crunch. I would love to know when they play in the city so I could see them. I consider myself involved in the game, but I never know when any of the games are going on unless invited to it. Maybe even subscribe to this site so it could remind you with an e-mail to check out the daily games.

Personally I would love to know when NDP tryouts and games are. But unless I have a kid in it, I would never know. Same with good D-3 games, if its not in front of me, I'd end up watching tv looking to see if the Wild are on.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this, Too often there is not enough information out there for the girls, I too have tried to follow other teams but it is usually to no avail. Media- I have gone to your website looking for stats on players and to follow how some of the girls are doing and there was nothing available at least that I could see just a thought it would be nice to see this.

I agree with hansonbrother, I also think the boys high school game has become too physical. Alexandria has a large group of "Super Fans" that started many years ago watching the girls play hockey. It was started by one man who bragged up how good the team was and how much fun it was to watch. Due to the success of the girls team he was able to grow the Fan Club into several dozen people - none of which had a player on the team. At the peak of the team's success the arena would be standing room only and that would be several people deep around the glass.

Agreeing with hansonbrother again, it's public awareness, but you also have to have a successful team to keep them coming back, as with any team.

On that note, don't dismiss D3 women's hockey as not entertaining or great hockey. Make the short drive to St. Peter for their Final Four this weekend and see for yourself! The tournament is usually held out east so this is your opportunity to show the NCAA that the West can draw more fans than they do out east, insuring that they give us more opportunities to host.

I agree with the others; your poll needs more options to have any meaning. Most of the people that I've heard complain about girls/womens hockey have never watched it. I get frustrated watching a game like the Warroad/Breck boy's semifinal game where players are so amped up to throw big checks that they can't make simple passes or even skate with the puck (and then for some reason, Warroad quits long before the game is over.)

Sure, girls hockey is not as fast as boys hockey. But HS is not as fast as college which is not as fast as the NHL, but for people who truly enjoy the game, there is something to like about it at any level.

Great responses and the type I was looking for. We had website issues all year and yes next year there will be stats next year along with a better game schedule etc. We look to have the new website up by June 1st. I also agree with the information sharing of girls hockey as inadequate . My questions were posed as an add on and not very much thought went into them(as you have voiced ) lol From our stand point I will pledge to do a better job of sharing information once we get the new site. The issue was we had to count on a non hockey person to enter the info from a long ways away. We will get better. Please keep the feed back coming together we can help fix this problem .