Annual hockey fest helps girls learn hockey from PWHL pros at Rogers Place

250 female hockey players were on the ice at Rogers Place to learn from the pros at the Scotiabank Girls’ Hockey Fest.

“I can get a little bit competitive, it’s fun, and I love meeting new people,” said Blake Golko-Leier, a Scotiabank Girls’ Hockey Fest participant.

Katie Cholak, another Scotiabank Girls’ Hockey Fest participant added, “I scored six goals today!”

The half-day clinic started in 2006 and now partners with the PWHL, North America’s Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Edmonton Scotiabank branch manager Suse Luzio says that the program is part of an ongoing campaign to grow girls’ hockey across the country.

“We truly believe there’s room for every Canadian and there’s a place for every Canadian in Canada’s sport, so this is part of our commitment,” said Luzio.

When the Scotiabank Girls’ Hockey Fest started nearly 20 years ago, registrations were extremely low. Now, 250 young ladies on the ice can name their favourite PWHL player, a testament to how much the girls’ game has grown, and a look into the future of hockey in Canada.

“What I love best for her is that she’s a quiet kid, she’s a sweet kid, but once she starts playing, she just digs in there. She doesn’t care if this kid is head taller than her, she’s right in there, she’s fearless out there. So for a mom to have a girl who is fearless like that, and then to of course play hockey, being in Edmonton, is kind of a must,” said Linda Moon, mother of Melody, a Scotiabank Girls’ Hockey Fest participant.

By uniting professional female hockey players with the next generation, both athletes and parents agree it’s opening doors for girls that didn’t exist until recently.

“With the PWHL, it was like, this is a path for you. This is a path I don’t think any parent would have thought for their daughter. Just that they enjoy playing hockey I think is great, but the actual path to professional hockey for women out there is, it’s amazing,” said Moon.

Elaine Cholak, Katie’s mom adds, “I grew up in a girl family, my dad was actually a scout for the WHL, and he said there were no good women’s or girls programs when we were younger. The fact this is an option now is fantastic.”

Samantha Isbell, who plays defense for the Ottawa Charge adds, “It’s just important for the girls to see it, and have something to work for and dream for. To be able to watch the PWHL on TV and see these girls doing it. It means there’s a chance for you in the future to do it.”