The day after girls and boys woke up to gifts under the Christmas tree, many were more than ready to try out their new ice–skating and hockey gear at the Greenwich Skating Club.
Whether it was a new hockey stick, elbow pads, or gifted-down figure skates, all were eager to hit the ice at the town’s only outdoor rink.
The private club has quietly charmed Greenwich for over 60 years as the family rink that offers much more than skating lessons. The outdoor backdrop paired with the inclusive nature of the club’s passion for skating makes for an upbeat and vibrant hockey community.
Complete with a new and modernized building, the GSC is inviting the community out to a Girls Hockey Open House for girls in third, fourth and fifth grade who are interested in learning more about ice hockey.
The open house will be on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 3:25 p.m. The rink is located at 9 Cardinal Road.
Several members of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) will be in attendance to help teach some of the hockey basics, as well as to help tie skates and serve hot chocolate.
“We’ve been fortunate to have some of the NWHL players be our instructors and coaches for all those interested,” said Matt Arpano, head of the GSC’s girls’ hockey program. “They are very dedicated to hockey, as well as becoming good people and outstanding role models.”
One of the GSC’s current girls’ hockey coaches, Shannon Doyle, is a professional hockey player and member of the Connecticut Whale team. Some of the world’s greatest female hockey players, some of whom may be representing their home country in the next Winter Olympics, will also be on the ice.
With the rise of the NWHL just in the past two years, the GSC wants to give girls in Greenwich the opportunity to get a jump start into a hockey career that could last into high school, college and beyond.
“It’s a great sport for young girls,” said Arpano. “It’s an athletic sport, there is leadership and there is team companionship.”
The girls on the U-12 team will help out as aides to the hockey lessons as well. Some open house instructions will include skating drills, stick–handling and taking shots on net.
GSC President Don Raftery echoed the enthusiastic remarks about the emergence of girls’ hockey. A father of multiple hockey-playing daughters, including a former captain of the Greenwich High varsity program, he says the sport is gaining steam and will only grow more popular in Greenwich.
“We’ve got a very strong and robust women’s program that we’ve built over the past half-dozen years or so,” said Raftery. “Each year, it keeps getting a little bit stronger. We’re trying to encourage girls to give it a try. Some are current figure skaters and some have never played before, but like the idea of a team sport. There is wonderful social fabric that goes along with being part of a team.”
Within the club, the GSC raises money for Ice Hockey in Harlem, a non-profit in New York City, by raising proceeds from hand-me-down skates and donated equipment that kids have outgrown.
GSC has several professional and Olympic hockey alum including Bray Ketchum (current NWHL player), Helen Resor (2006 Olympic Bronze winner) and Cam Atkinson (current NHL player).
The new building offers a family-friendly culture and also retained some of the nostalgia in the original building with multiple fireplaces, glass viewing area and a balcony overlooking the ice.
The GSC also offers adult hockey leagues, travel hockey leagues and youth leagues.
For more information about the free event, email bbrower@greenwichskatingclub.org.
