Lauren Ross just wanted the chance to play hockey, like her older brother Mike, a member of the Brandon varsity hockey team.
‘I’ve always wanted to play with him, but my mom wouldn’t let me,? she said.
Now, she and several other Brandon area girls have the chance to do just that.
Since December, a group of girls have been attending practices each Sunday morning at the Polar Palace in Lapeer (site of the Brandon hockey team’s home games).
Judging by the turnout each week, it seems the sport is catching on with the girls.About 26 showed up to the Polar Palace Sunday, Jan. 30 for the most recent practice, says Brian Moore, the Brandon varsity hockey coach who is organizing these practices.
‘I think we’ll keep getting even more girls (in for the practices) in the future,? he said. ‘We’re getting a core group of players who can make it each week. They’re actually trying to play real hockey. I’m amazed as to how well the girls pass.?
Ross, a sophomore, has been playing center in recent scrimmages among the girls. Moore says she was one of the students instrumental in getting the ball rolling for girls hockey.
‘I was in one of his classes, and we talked about it with him,? Ross said.
She said she enjoys working on her shooting and puckhandling on the ice, and her favorite player to watch is Brendan Shanahan of the Red Wings.
Senior Meridith Dura is enjoying the chance to engage in any athletic activity after recovering from a torn ACL. She went to practice for the first time a couple weeks ago.
‘There were teams of girls with equipment, and girls without equipment,? she said. ‘I got to put some stuff on and play defense. I like how you have to do so many things at the same time, like skating and puckhandling.?
One of the players Dura said she enjoys watching is freshman Mikki Nuccio. ‘She’s really good,? Dura said.
For junior Kayla Doan, an avid Brandon hockey fan, taking part in the practices was the next step in her enjoyment of the sport. ‘I enjoy going to the Brandon hockey games, because they’re a lot of fun,? she said.
Doan started practicing with the Brandon girls in December, but admitted she really enjoyed getting to play against her classmates.
‘It’s more fun when you start scrimmaging other people,? she said. ‘I like playing the different positions on the team.?
The practices seem to be getting an equal response from all four classes at BHS, Moore said.
‘There’s a huge mix of classes at the practices, with all four classes represented,? Moore said. ‘There are some girls there who actually play on (travel and organized) teams.?