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ERIE LADY LION 19U TIER II-GREAT LAKES GIRLS PLAYOFF
CHAMPIONS
14U ERIE JR LADY LIONS PLAYERS WIN TWO SKILLS COMPETITIONS AT GLGHL PLAYOFFS
2010 HOCKEY HOME MAKEOVER WAS A SUCCESS:
THANKS TO ALL THAT MADE THIS EVENT A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOME. HOCKEY IS MORE THAN A GAME...IT IS A COMMUNITY OF
CARING.
BOB REICHARD-BJS CONSTRUCTION 602-2229 **
109 NORDMIRE DRIVE
EDINBOR0, PA
BOB FOLTYN (TILE AND CONCRETE WORK) 455-0003**
1034 EAST 29TH STREET
ERIE, PA 16502
PAT HARMLE CONSTRUCTION (main contractor) 833-0667**
GARY KILMER CONTRACTOR 833-7126
5048 GRUBB RD
ERIE, PA 16506
JIM MOSS (contractor) 454-1084
MOSS BUILDERS
648 EAST 26TH
ERIE, PA 16504
WARREN HILES
South One Supply
3340 West Lake Road Erie, Pa. 16505 Jay Little
Kraft Lumber
1707 Peninsula Dr. Erie, Pa. 16505 Tom and Dan Shade
Sherwin-Williams Paints 2702 West 26th Street Erie,
Pa. 16506 Jim
Electrical and Mechanical Systems Inc.
316 Cherry St. Erie, Pa. 16507 Bob Herbstritt
Building Specialties
2011 West 12th Street Erie, Pa.16505 Chip Chiappazzi
CREATIVE IMPRINT (VOLUNTEER SHIRTS)
835-1000
DUCHINI ACE HARDWARE
2550 MCKINLEY AVE
ERIE, PA 16502
BILL REICHARD-BJS CONSTRUCTION
2908 FEASLER ST
ERIE, PA 16506-4449
VINCE AND BILL
TIM DUGAN, KEN HINKLE, THE GIRLS AND FAMILIES OF ERIE LADY LIONS GIRLS HOCKEY
AARON BEATON (TIM HORTONS FOOD)
TIM HORTONS
2745 WEST 26TH STREET
ERIE, PA 16505
BETSY CILLADI (NUNZIS FOOD)
NUNZI'S PLACE
2330 EAST 38TH STREET
ERIE, PA
16504
PIERRE LEGACE'-FOOD
PANOS RESTAURANT
1504WEST 38TH STREET
ERIE, PA. 16505
SEAWAY ALUMINUM (SUPPLIES)
2250 EAST 33RD STREET
ERIE, PA 16505
JANA AND MIKE GOODRICH
HOLLAND FLOORING (SUPPLIES)
OWNERS
1815 STATE STREET
ERIE, PA
WARREN HILES
DEAN FAIR
TIM NECASTRO
BRIDGEVILLE DELI FOOD
BEMISS POINT, NY
JEFF SHAW
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When what became the Erie Lady Lions Girls Hockey Association split off from the Erie Youth Hockey Association
in 2004, it was for one distinct purpose.
“The parties involved thought it would be best to form their own organization
so we could give 100 percent of our attention to the girls’ program,” 14-U manager Al Rivera said. “This
decision involved Yevet Anderson [a USA Hockey Master Level coach], who is huge in women’s hockey. She wanted to take
girls’ hockey to another level.”
This season the program consists of the Lil’ Lady Lions (8-U team),
the Junior Lady Lions (14-U), the Lady Lions (19-U), a Sunday afternoon House League for girls ages 7-10 and Tim Horton’s
Timbit Minor Hockey.
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The Lady Lions have had success thanks to grow the game initiatives. | “Our
talent ranges from very competitive girls who’ve been playing for years to girls who are basically neophytes,”
Rivera said. “Last summer we implemented ‘Girls Try Hockey for Free’. We handed out flyers at the Fourth
of July parade and said any |
| Erie Lady Lions see continued growth |
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December 15, 2009
By Mike Scandura Special to USAHockey.com
When what became the Erie Lady Lions Girls
Hockey Association split off from the Erie Youth Hockey Association in 2004, it was for one distinct purpose.
“The
parties involved thought it would be best to form their own organization so we could give 100 percent of our attention to
the girls’ program,” 14-U manager Al Rivera said. “This decision involved Yevet Anderson [a USA Hockey Master
Level coach], who is huge in women’s hockey. She wanted to take girls’ hockey to another level.”
This
season the program consists of the Lil’ Lady Lions (8-U team), the Junior Lady Lions (14-U), the Lady Lions (19-U),
a Sunday afternoon House League for girls ages 7-10 and Tim Horton’s Timbit Minor Hockey.
 |
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The Lady Lions have had success thanks to grow the game initiatives. | “Our
talent ranges from very competitive girls who’ve been playing for years to girls who are basically neophytes,”
Rivera said. “Last summer we implemented ‘Girls Try Hockey for Free’. We handed out flyers at the Fourth
of July parade and said any girl who wants to try hockey is welcome to come out.
“That way they could go out
and see if they wanted to play hockey. We actually got a few girls on the 14-U team from that.”
The Lil’
Lady Lions, meanwhile, offer girls 8 and under the opportunity to play hockey in a recreational and developmental program.
“The
emphasis is on development of fundamentals — and ‘fun’ is capitalized,” Rivera said.
The Lil’
Lady Lions play in the PAHL and host friendship games with neighboring teams from New York.
On the other hand, the
19-U team provides a springboard to college hockey options for many players.
“We’ve been fortunate with
a lot of girls who go on and get scholarships and do continue playing hockey,” Riverasaid, noting that former Lady Lions
have gone on to play hockey at colleges like Cornell, New Hampshire and Robert Morris. “The 19-U team is tournament-bound
and is more competitive.
“The goal is for the girls to be the best players they can be. Participation in tournaments
over the years has exposed them to college and prep school coaches.”
But for girls who are just learning how
to play hockey, the Tim Horton’s Timbit Minor Hockey Program is invaluable.
“It’s a learn-to-play
program for boys and girls ages 4 to 10,” Rivera said. “We sign up a child for only $80. They get one hour a week
for 20 weeks and learn to play the game. Quite frankly, the emphasis is on learning and fun.
“We have a bunch
of USA Hockey bags with equipment. It allows parents to see if their kids are interested in hockey without having to pay the
basic registration fee, and they get free equipment rental.”
The Timbits program, which is in its fourth year
of operation, has far exceeded expectations.
“It’s amazing the feedback we’ve received,” Rivera
said. “In the first year the program only had seven kids. This year we have 165 kids in the program.”
The
Timbits has proven to be an enticing way to get kids involved in the sport.
“The nice thing is a lot of kids
who began playing in Timbits are continuing to play,” Rivera said. “Look at our 14-U team. Of the 16 girls on
that team, 13 were Timbits. We look at it as a great way to expose kids to hockey but it’s also a great feeder program
for our girls.
“Our older girls also come and help the coaches, especially in the first couple of weeks when
the kids are first learning to skate.”
The Erie Lady Lions, including the Timbits, get the same universal message
that they should only play if they are having fun.
“We emphasize camaraderie and teamwork,” he said. “Our
teams have gone to movies as a group. They go to open skates. They invite each other to birthday parties.
“Really,
we’re one, big happy family.”
That “family” also includes the coaches — with 33 being
involved in the entire program this season.
“We’re very fortunate in that all of our coaches at every level
like working with kids,” Rivera said. “They’re able to help the kids understand the game and they make the
game simplistic.
“Every coach must be USA Hockey certified at least at Level II. Even our assistant coaches have
to be at the Level I minimum.
“All things considered, we have an environment that’s conducive for learning |
Rebecca Wheeler has been selected as a store winner in the
KOHL'S KIDS WHO CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM and will be a nominee for National Selection Consideration. Rebecca volunteers
her time to many local programs including our own TIMBIT program and is very active in the Girl Scouts. Congratulations
Rebecca, you make us so Proud.
Cross Border Clash a smash; 'It's darn good hockey, but the friendship is the main thing,' visiting
coach says
Posted By Gard, Jeff
Posted 5 days ago
A crowd of 500 spectators gave a resounding round of applause to every team to march onto the ice at the
Cross Border Clash's official opening ceremony at the Baltimore Recreation Centre Friday evening.
As both Canadian and American national anthems played for 35 teams from Ontario and three from the U.S., all of the players
showed their respect. One particularly interesting sight was watching members of the St. Louis Rockets peewee team singing
O Canada.
In a display of the relationship between sports in the small community north of Highway 401, the Baltimore Figure Skating
Club opened the night's ceremonies with evident approval from onlookers. Founders George and Anne Quigley beamed with pride
at the hour-long festivities as the Cross Border event officially celebrated its 10th year. Hamilton Township Deputy Mayor
Isobel Hie welcomed visitors to Northumberland region.
It was a fitting evening for a hockey event that, as competitive on the ice as it is, has been equally - if not more -
about fellowship. "We've met some great people. It has just been a lot of fun," Mr. Quigley said.
At its peak, the Clash attracted more than 20 teams from the U.S. and had more than 50 teams total.
Only the Center State Stampeders of New York, the St. Louis Rockets of Missouri, and the Erie Lady Lions of Pennsylvania
came north this year.
Due to travel issues with crossing the border, soaring gas prices and the state of the economy, the number of U.S. teams
has been declining in recent years.
"One year we had 20 (American) teams and they were getting 50 cents on the dollar," Mr. Quigley said.
Some teams, though, have never wavered in their Clash support.
Center State has competed each of the 10 years and St. Louis has come for nine years. Erie came for the first time last
year when a girls' division was created.
With fewer U.S. teams, this possibly was the final year for the Cross Border Clash as it's known, but with nearly 40 teams
skating, it's not the final tournament to be hosted by the Baltimore Minor Hockey Association.
"It has been a great 10 years, but it's time to revamp it and take it in another direction," Mr. Quigley said.
Whatever form or name the tournament takes, it will be welcomed by the competitors.
St. Louis coach Corrie Boese has brought teams for seven years, and said it's the highlight of the season. "We joke down
in the States as we're playing in our regular season that it's just the pre-season to the Canada trip .We have good hockey
in St. Louis, but nothing like Canada, so the kids learn a lot.
"Even this rink - I remember when it was built," he said. "Look at the funding that took from this small community. You'd
never see that in the States."
Boese, wearing a Baltimore Ice Dogs jacket, enjoys the camaraderie at the Clash. "George and I have exchanged jackets over
the years. It's darn good hockey, but the friendship is the main thing."
That's why Chuck Race keeps bringing the Center State team. "It's just the people up here. We have a good time. For the
kids, it's a lot of friendship with the pin exchange and getting to meet kids from across the border."
While this was just the second trip for the Erie Lady Lions, they enjoyed it. They play in the Great Lakes Girls Hockey
Association out of New York and are used to travelling. Making the trips to Baltimore have been worth it, coach Les Caldwell.
"We've had excellent competition up here. We like the tournament, it's a lot of great fun. The girls have a good time."
From the outset, the Clash strived to give entrants a chance to end their season on a positive note. Some of the rules
ensure that's the case.
Anyone who fights is ejected from the Clash. Tie-breakers in the round-robin standings are settled by goals-against, not
goals-for, "so if you've got a lead, you better start barring the door. Don't worry about scoring 10 more," Mr. Quigley said.
Make no mistake, the Clash is competitive. Sportsmanship, though, is more important.
Before the Clash was formed and Baltimore was a rep hockey centre, Mr. Quigley put together a select team that went to
Evansville, Indiana for a tournament.
"All of the Americans treated us like gold. The kids just loved it." Mr. and Mrs. Quigley thought other Baltimore players
should have the same experience, but closer to home. The event attracted 18 teams its first year and kept growing.
Both ice pads in Baltimore as well as arenas in Port Hope, Grafton and Colborne were needed this year to handle all of
the games.
That means a lot of volunteers.
"You can't do it (without them). We need people to run five arenas," Mr. Quigley said. "We have great volunteers."
For the first time, there was a tyke select series between Baltimore and Cobourg.
Other divisions ranged from novice to midget. The competition is Ontario Minor Hockey Association (levels 'C' to 'E') and
USA Hockey (Southern 'A' and Northern weaker 'A' and 'B').
Visiting Ontario teams came from Port Hope, Shelburne, Almaguin, Wingham, North Muskoka, Ops, Creemore, Douro, Rice Lake,
Quinte West, Lindsay, Colborne, Norwood, Millbrook, Havelock, Brighton and North Frontenac.
cdssports@northumberlandtoday.com
Article
ID# 948146
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| Timbits girls’ program growth is tenfold |
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January 23, 2008
By Mike Scandura
Special to usahockey.com
Overwhelmed. That's the best adjective to describe the reaction of Erie (Pa.) Lady Lions
executive director Keri Tenza and the other board members when the Timbits program was launched three years ago.
"Three years ago we started out with 15 girls, and then it grew to 50 last year," said Tenza. "Now, we have just
over 100 and next year the figure will hit 150, which will be our max. That's how much this program has grown. According to
the Timbits program we are one of the largest in the United States and Canada.
"We didn't have a clue as to how fast this would grow. We’re astonished at how many kids we have in this.
We tell people they'll have to wait until next year because basically it grew faster than we thought it would grow."
In retrospect, that's a nice problem to have. The Lady Lions have been in existence for
15 years, originally as part of the Erie Youth Hockey League. But the program split four years ago to form a separate girls'
organization because, according to Tenza, "EYH was geared more toward boys."
The Timbits program is geared toward girls ages 4-12 who may not have even considered giving hockey a try.
"We get kids who’ve never skated before," Tenza said. "We hold registration in the summer and say 'Just try
it.' We give them a couple of hours free of charge to get people involved.
"The whole idea behind Timbits is fun. We start them off without sticks. Then they all get straight sticks without
curves. We teach them the basics. We teach them how to skate. It's not about being competitive. It's about teaching them."
As part of the cross-ice portion of the program, the ice is divided into three sections and games are played sans
scoreboards.
"Instructors are helping them out and teaching them the fundamentals of playing hockey," Tenza said. "For example,
everybody gets a chance to play in goal."
Initially, Timbits embraces boys and girls. Once the boys reach age 10, says Tenza, they’re encouraged to
join Erie Youth Hockey.
The Lady Lions even have a draft day for Timbits.
"We go to a Tim Horton's restaurant and the kids are drafted onto different teams," Tenza said. "The media comes
in with us and it's a big deal because these kids think it's cool being drafted. They even get their jerseys (on draft day)."
The program costs only $80 per season and includes skates and equipment. And at the end of the year, the program
holds a jamboree.
"It's their final games of the season where they get to show what they've learned," Tenza said. "All the girls
get medals and we have pictures taken on that day.
"Initially, we got one or two parents who 'push.' But everyone comes to understand that the idea is just to have
fun."
As for the older girls, they play normal, non-checking hockey with teams representing Under-19, U-16 or U-14, and
sometimes U-12 or U-10 depending on age limits of the Timbits.
As for the U-19 travel team, up until this year the Lady Lions played in the Southwest Ontario Youth Hockey League.
"We were playing back and forth against excellent competition," Tenza said. "But with the passport situation (which
requires a passport when traveling even from the United States to Canada), teams became scarce this year. We would have had
to go up there this year and play all or our games in Canada - even our home games. We don't mind traveling, but it's not
fair to the parents and girls to play all games up there.
"Now, we're playing in western New York, which allows us to stay close to home."
As with any successful organization, it's more than a one-person show.
In addition to Tenza, treasurer Yvette Anderson, director Al Riveira and board member Bob Folyton have spearheaded
the operation from the beginning.
"Yvette is known as 'Ms. Hockey,'" said Tenza. "She's also the coach of the U-19 team and oversees the Timbits
program for us. Bob sponsored it for us at the beginning and really helped spearhead it.
"We also have girls from the U-19 team that help out. They do coaching and help with kids on the ice. There are
a ton of volunteers with our membership."
Which, given the scope of the program, is to be expected.
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Know of a thriving youth hockey community that should be spotlighted here? Send a note to d.mcmahon@redlineeditorial.com. We’ll contact you to get the details. |
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