All-American Girls Hockey Tournament aims to inspire young athletes

More than 1,000 athletes competed in the 2019 All American Girls Hockey Tournament that took place Nov. 15-17 at the Super Rink on the National Sports Center campus. While the tournament exposes teams to tough competition, it also celebrates women’s hockey in Minnesota.

62 teams, seven hockey organizations and over 1,000 players packed up cars, loaded buses and made their way to the Super Rink for the tournament.

While teams enjoyed battling competition on the ice, they also participated in new, off-ice activities. Legendary Team USA and Minnesota Whitecaps players made meet and greet appearances throughout the weekend, where they signed autographs for fans, posed for photos and participated in Facebook Live interviews with the National Sports Center media team.

On the very first day of the tournament, Dani Cameranesi, Kelly Pannek and Sophia Shaver, members of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, made appearances. The three Olympians have reached significant achievements and look to continue their international success in 2020.

On the second day of the tournament, Minnesota Whitecaps players Winny Brodt-Brown, Allie Thunstrom, Meaghan Pezon and Brooke White-Lancette made appearances. The four 2018 Isobel Cup Champions are more than familiar with the growing status of girls hockey in Minnesota and want to inspire young, female hockey players. 

While the media team interviewed celebrity guests, it also interviewed teams and players participating in the tournament, an experience that brought smiles to the faces of many.

Congratulations to every single hockey player that participated in the All American Girls Hockey Tournament. Girls are the future of the game, and together they’ll make history.

All interviews are available to stream via the Super Rink Facebook page , National Sports Center YouTube channel and on Beyond the Bench.