“I would personally never have thought that seven decades when i set to my basic set of hockey skates, I would personally getting sharing a keen Airbnb from inside the Vegas that have five women I didn’t see…and i also would love it, have much fun and you may already been near to effective a title,” she states.
Kim grew up in Pittsburgh because the a beneficial rink rat, viewing on sidelines once the the girl sis starred hockey. The sport was not a selection for ladies in those days. She partnered a beneficial Canadian son who played hockey, and increased their kid, Mason, to tackle, also.
I got came across Kim, a scientist during the Federal Education away from Health whom lives in Rockville, as soon as we one another started to try out hockey within the 2015 to your Hockey Mom then entered the brand new Arizona Whalers
Because female, we had been from the minority with the coed Whalers group. We had sons nearly the same many years who have been travelling hockey users. We both struggled having crossovers (good skating approach), skating backwards, and utilizing the new chat rooms to your virtue. All of our commonalities provided us the newest bravery to share with you all of our issues and insecurities, and you will service each other with each improve.
Showing for her best moments due to the fact a Travelin’ Group Puck, Kim recalls a switch enjoy on a beneficial DMV event inside 2021 in Laurel: “I was the fresh worst member towards the class, and in addition we got a-one-profit, one-losses record. We were off by you to definitely objective within finally games, however, I became capable catch an excellent rebound back at my adhere and you will score to tie the online game, and that got all of us towards the semifinals.
Inside ent, my cellular telephone started to vibrate nonstop. Molly had announced a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, for the Icelandic Invitational, a conference one computers competitions to own men’s and you may ladies organizations, additionally the Travelin’ Party Pucks’ Facebook classification lit up. Inquiries and you will delighted comments such as for instance “Yes, matter me During the!” inundated my personal supply. Females from all around the country saw the brand new blog post and you can wished to become listed on the team; inside 2 days, more than 31 had authorized playing.
Then guys-the fresh husbands, boyfriends and you may teammates of your Travelin’ Cluster Pucks-become inquiring when the Molly do plan out a group to allow them to play for the Iceland, also. Molly assented, in addition to men’s version of the Travelin’ Class Pucks came into this world.
To the Sept. twenty eight, we arrived in the Reykjavik having thirty-two professionals competing regarding ladies tournament and you may 26 throughout the men’s room skills. We fielded five groups and you can our very own cheerleaders: 16 Travelin’ Cluster Pucks groupies composed of friends and family came along.
Brand new Travelin’ Party Puck teams did not victory with this contest-hard-fought, competitive online game ended during the links otherwise loss. However, Iceland profoundly affected you. There had been several proposals for the trip, you to definitely toward the base out of a waterfall plus one in front of your own striking chapel when you look at the the downtown area Reykjavik, the Hallgrimskirkja. And because other team, Island, is actually brief professionals during the a number of online game and you will welcome the fresh new People Pucks to experience on the squad, I inserted him or her because of their finally game from the BC Beauts, where Island won step 3-1. I happened to be with the freeze for two ones requirements and shared giving centering seats as a left-wing. Even with they are my personal third video game that go out, I skated my personal most difficult and you will quickest, trying to match their professionals, which averaged 15 years more youthful than simply ours. I enjoyed “Murphy,” a beneficial 30-year-old Icelander whom takes on for the country’s federal ladies’ ice hockey party. Just after a shift, she patted me personally on the rear and you may said, “You might be a great,” a match I am able to never forget.
She would visited Iceland ahead of and cherished it; this time, she is actually looking recon eЕџleЕџme forward to viewing they from inside the a completely new method
This was my 3rd contest towards the Travelin’ People Pucks. My personal very first online game for the class was at a good Hockey Fights MS contest in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in may. This is when We met Sabrina Trees, 45, among my personal teammates into the Iceland. She stays in Alexandria, Virginia, works for the fresh new Federal Transportation Coverage Board and you may earlier offered inside the the brand new You.S. Air Force.