Hockey legends team up to introduce the sport to young girls in Utah

If you follow the Utah Mammoth, youve probably heard Logan Cooleys Little Penguins story a million times: He participated in Sidney Crosbys learn-to-play program as a child, and they now face each other twice a year in the NHL.

But did you know that Boston Fleet winger Hannah Bilka had a similar experience with her now-line mate, Hilary Knight? Knight, one of the most decorated hockey players of all time and a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, has run programs for many years, inspiring the next generation of girls to try hockey.

Its just so fun, she said after helping out with back-to-back on-ice sessions with girls ages 6-14 at Mammoth Week a program designed to inspire the next generation of Crosbys, Knights, Cooleys and Bilkas.

You remember when you were that age and how important these moments were.

Wednesdays Mammoth Week activities, held at the Utah Olympic Oval, focused on introducing girls to the game of hockey.

Nearly 250 girls attended, many of whom were trying the sport for the first time.

Joining Knight on the ice were two-time Walter Cup champion Mellissa Channell-Watkins, Mammoth forward Alexander Kerfoot and Mammoth director of amateur hockey and fan development Kristen Bowness, as well as a few college players.

Knight hails from Sun Valley, Idaho, and she trains in Salt Lake City in the summers.

When the Mammoth moved here, it was just incredible to have more growth in the mountain region, she said.

To have someone like Alex be dedicated to the work in the community and developing girls and womens hockey is just so outstanding.

I cant say enough about it.

The work in the community to which shes referring is the Kerfoot familys program, where they donate their personal tickets to young female hockey players each Mammoth home game.

They also bring the girls onto the bench during warmups an unforgettable experience for young, aspiring hockey players.

(We) really wanted to allow for more exposure for more of the girls, and you can only have so many girls out to games, Kerfoot said.

To be able to get on the ice with them and do a day like this, it allowed us to reach more people.

Kerfoot and his wife, Marissa, are the parents of a 1-year-old girl, Carrera.

He said hell provide exposure for Carrera to play hockey, but the decision will ultimately be up to her as to which activities she tries.

So many opportunities are available for girls now, Bowness said.

Thats just great for them to see and to learn..

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