From the Stands to the Ice — Our Family’s Love for Girls’ Hockey

When my daughter laced up her skates at a free “Big Skate Event” in fourth grade, I didn’t know it would change both of our lives. That event, hosted by our local hockey association, gave her a chance to try out hockey with borrowed gear, a few drills, and the encouragement to sign up if she loved it. She did.

At age 10, she was considered a “late starter” in the hockey world—most kids had already been playing for years. But that didn’t stop her. She worked hard, pushed through challenges, and fell in love with the game. As parents, Jon and I scrambled to keep up with all things hockey: learning how to tape sticks via YouTube, figuring out tournament schedules, and getting the hang of DIBS volunteer hours. But none of that compared to watching her blossom.

Hockey gave her more than just a sport—it gave her a sisterhood. She hadn’t really found “her people” at school, but on the ice she discovered a close-knit group of friends who cheered her on, lifted her up, and stood by her no matter what. As a mom, seeing those friendships grow was the very best part.

A Wild Idea: Could I Play Too?

Somewhere along the way, a thought crept into my mind: Could I play hockey too? At nearly 40, the idea felt completely ridiculous. I tried to talk myself out of it—learning hockey as an adult seemed insane. But that little voice inside me wouldn’t let go: I have to try this.

So, I did.

I still remember stepping onto the ice at a “stick and puck” before my first game. I was terrified. A hockey dad came up to show me how to hold my stick—which tells you just how brand-new I was! I felt awkward and self-conscious, but I kept showing up. Poorly at first, but consistently.

And to my surprise, I fell in love with hockey. I thought I already knew who I was at this stage of life, but hockey proved me wrong. In just five months, I’ve gained new skills, confidence, and a passion I didn’t even know I was missing. Now, when I’m on the ice, hockey takes up all my brain space. No stress. No to-do lists. Just me, the puck, and the game.

Why Girls in Sports Matter

Girls belong in sports—especially in a game as fast, tough, and exhilarating as hockey. But we still face challenges: lower enrollment, stereotypes, fewer opportunities. Sometimes my daughter's team practices with the boys' team, and while their styles may differ, their skill levels are the same. It’s a reminder that girls are just as strong, capable, and worthy of ice time.

I’ve seen firsthand how hockey has built my daughter’s confidence, how she’s learned to be an encouraging teammate, and how she now passes along her skills to me (yes, she’s giving me shooting tips!). Sharing this sport together has been an unexpected gift—something that has deepened our bond and given us even more to cheer for.

And the benefits of girls in sports go far beyond the rink. Recently, I learned that 94% of women in C-suite positions once played sports. That number floored me. It proves what I’ve seen in my daughter: sports teach resilience, teamwork, and leadership—skills that set girls on a path to thrive in every area of life. It also made me pause and think about my own career growth. If learning hockey as an adult can build my confidence on the ice, imagine what it can do off the ice—in the boardroom, in leadership, and in the way I show up in every part of my life.

Finding Strength—and Representation

Hockey has taught me that it’s never too late to start something new. It’s given me a new sense of confidence and a reminder that living a “big life” means saying yes to ideas that sound a little crazy.

It’s also reminded me of the importance of representation. My daughter and I are Latina, and in all our hockey experience, we’ve only met one other Latino family in the rink. It’s rare, but we’re here—and I love knowing that by showing up, we’re making space for other girls who don’t often see themselves represented in this sport.

Stickers, Taylor Swift, and Pink Hockey Bags

Part of the fun of hockey culture? The water bottles, the locker room playlists, and the gear that shows off your personality. Every hockey parent knows that all the kids have the same water bottles—so stickers matter!

That’s why I designed my new hockey sticker collection: bold, bright, unapologetically pink. Because when I went looking for hockey stickers for my daughter, all the cool ones were missing that flair. Girls deserve gear that reflects who they are, whether they’re singing Taylor Swift with their teammates or skating their hearts out on the ice.

If a girl hockey player (or a hockey mom like me!) puts one of these stickers on her water bottle, I hope it reminds her that she belongs here. Pink bag, tough play, no apologies.

Closing the Gap for Girls’ Hockey

Our journey into hockey started with my daughter’s first Big Skate. It grew into a passion for both of us—and a commitment to the future of girls’ hockey. My hope is that more girls will find joy in the game, build lifelong friendships, and celebrate the incredible strength they carry both on and off the ice.

Because when girls are encouraged to play, they’re not just learning how to skate faster or shoot harder. They’re learning how to lead. And that’s something we all benefit from—on the rink, at school, in the workplace, and yes, even in the C-suite.

And if our pink water bottle stickers help remind them of that? Even better.