“I would personally never have suspected one 7 many years after i put to my very first pair of hockey skates, I’d getting revealing a keen Airbnb for the Vegas which have five females I did not know…and i also will love they, have plenty enjoyable and become alongside effective a championship,” she states.
Kim was born in Pittsburgh given that a beneficial rink rat, viewing regarding sidelines since the this lady sister starred hockey. The sport was not a choice for ladies in the past. She partnered a Canadian man just who played hockey, and increased the kid, Mason, to relax and play, too.
I experienced fulfilled Kim, a scientist during the Federal Schools out of Wellness just who resides in Rockville, once we each other come playing hockey in the 2015 toward Hockey Mom right after which registered the new Washington Whalers
Due to the fact ladies, we were throughout the minority to the coed Whalers cluster. We’d sons almost a similar many years have been traveling hockey users. The two of us struggled with crossovers (a beneficial skating techniques), skating backwards, and utilizing this new forums to our virtue. The commonalities provided united states this new courage to generally share our very own inquiries and you may insecurities, and you can support one another with every update.
Reflecting for her finest minutes because a great Travelin’ Cluster Puck, Kim recalls an option play during the an excellent DMV tournament from inside the 2021 inside Laurel: “I happened to be brand new terrible member with the class, and now we got a one-profit, one-losses checklist. We were down of the one purpose in our finally games, but I was capable connect a good rebound on my adhere and you will score so you can link the video game, hence had you to the semifinals.
Inside ent, my personal mobile phone started to shake continuous. Molly had announced a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, because of its Icelandic Invitational, a meeting you to computers tournaments having men’s and you can ladies’ communities, therefore the Travelin’ Team Pucks’ Twitter group illuminated. Inquiries and excited statements including “Sure, matter me Into the!” overloaded my provide. Women throughout the world spotted the new article and you may wished to participate the group; inside 2 days, more than 30 got registered to tackle.
Then the people-the fresh husbands, men and you may teammates of one’s Travelin’ Team Pucks-already been inquiring if Molly manage organize a team to allow them to enjoy in the Iceland, also. Molly decided, while the men’s model of your own Travelin’ Class Pucks was created.
To your Sept. 28, i landed in Reykjavik having thirty two players contending from the ladies tournament and 26 from the men’s experiences. We fielded five communities and you can our very own cheerleaders: 16 Travelin’ Party Pucks groupies comprised of relatives and buddies arrived.
The new Travelin’ Group Puck communities don’t earn during this tournament-hard-fought, competitive games ended for the ties otherwise losings. However, Iceland deeply impacted united states. There were one or two proposals on journey, you to definitely on the bottom off a beneficial waterfall and one at the front end of your striking chapel in the the downtown area Reykjavik, the new Hallgrimskirkja. And because various other party, Island, was short members during the several online game and you may invited the Group Pucks playing on their squad, We inserted her or him because of their last games contrary to the BC Beauts, in which Island won step 3-1. I found myself to the ice for a couple of ones requirements and you may contributed giving focus entry since the a left wing. Even with they are my personal third video game one go out, I skated my toughest and you will quickest, seeking match its players, just who averaged fifteen years younger than ours. I played with “Murphy,” an excellent 30-year-old Icelander which performs to the state’s federal ladies’ frost hockey group. Just after a change, she patted myself on the back and told you, “You might be an excellent,” a praise I am able to bear in mind.
She’d been to Iceland just before and enjoyed it; now, she is awaiting viewing it in another ways
This was my 3rd event toward Travelin’ Cluster Pucks. My personal first online game to your party was at a Hockey Battles MS contest for the Hershey, Pennsylvania, in-may. This is where I came across Sabrina Trees, forty-five, one of Richmond escort service my personal teammates in Iceland. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, works for new National Transport Security Panel and you will previously offered inside the newest You.S. Heavens Force.