Jersey Girls Hockey Club: A Game-Changer for Young Female Hockey Enthusiasts

• NHL
• New Jersey Devils

To redefine the youth sports landscape and nurture the next generation of female hockey athletes, the New Jersey Devils, the Devils Youth Foundation, and the National Hockey League (NHL) have announced the Jersey Girls Hockey Club launch. The initiative is a recreational ice hockey league for girls aged 5 to 12 in New Jersey, offering a safe and inclusive environment to continue playing hockey among their peers.

"The Jersey Girls Hockey Club is another impactful way for the Devils Youth Foundation to provide support and grow the game we love," said Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director of Devils Youth Foundation.

A Day to Remember at the Prudential Center

Over 40 girls were invited to the Prudential Center for an on-ice festival as part of the launch event. The session, which included a skills component, was run by several prominent figures within the hockey world. This included Amanda Pelke, a U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and Devils Female Hockey Ambassador; Shelly Picard, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist and Assistant Coach of Long Island University's women's hockey team; and Devils alumni Travis Zajac; Bruce Driver, Grant Marshall, and Colin White.

A Vision for Inclusion and Development

Jillian Frechette, Chief Marketing Officer, New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, expressed her enthusiasm for the project as she said, "We are thrilled to announce the Jersey Girls Hockey Club and create an inclusive environment where young girls can practice hockey in fun, yet developmental way." She further pointed out that this recreational league fills the void in the youth hockey space and aligns with the Devils' commitment to supporting girls and women in hockey.

A Focus on Growth and Opportunity

The Jersey Girls Hockey Club will provide a platform for Devils' Learn-to-Play program graduates. It will enable these young talents to improve their hockey skills in a fun and inclusive team environment. The club will hold sessions at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House, the practice facility of the New Jersey Devils, every Saturday afternoon from March 23 to May 18, 2024.

Highlighting the Growth of Girls' Hockey

Girls' hockey has seen a surge in popularity over the past 15 years, with an increase of sixty-five percent in the United States alone. Kim Davis, NHL Sr. Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives and Legislative Affairs, remarked on this during the event, "This Legacy project showcases the power of strategic philanthropy, focusing our efforts around the defined mission of investing in the future of women's hockey and our growing female fanbase. We know these Jersey girls will become our game's future players, supporters, and leaders."

The Legacy initiative

The Legacy initiative is a philanthropic endeavor through which the NHL and the local Club support community organizations in the host city of an NHL Event. Since its inception in 2003, the League, its Clubs, and partners have donated more than $7 million to communities across North America. Legacy projects have assisted thousands of hospital patients in recovery, helped at-risk youth and families gain better access to educational and vocational training, and provided greater access to hockey for people of all ages.

The funding for the Jersey Girls Hockey Club has been provided in part by the Devils Youth Foundation, which enriches the lives of New Jersey's youth by creating life-changing opportunities and inspiring youth in its communities through the power of sports and entertainment.