Ringette – The fastest game on ice

My Fave Sport by Emily Irvine

“Ringette? What’s that? Isn’t that the sport just like hockey?” Sport like hockey? Don’t think so. A mistake some people make is to assume ringette is just another way of playing hockey, but with a straight stick and ring instead of a puck. In my opinion they couldn’t be more wrong. Except for the fact the game is played on ice and some of the equipment is similar, it’s completely different. Confused? Read on and I’m sure you’ll learn more…

In 1963 a Canadian man by the name of Sam Jacks (the same man who invented floor hockey!) started a female only sport for his daughter, since at the time hockey was just for boys. He called it Ringette. They played for fun using broken hockey sticks and figure skates.

Since then the sport of Ringette has come a LONG way. It’s quickly growing in popularity and each year more and more girls join. It’s still a “girls” sport though some boys do play. You can be as young as 4 or 5 to start. The divisions go “Bunnies” (ages 4-7), “Novice” (8 and 9), “Petite” (10 and 11), “Tween” (12 and 13), “Junior” (14 and 15), “Belle” (16-18), and “Open” (19+).

The game involves all your basic positions (goalie, defence, forward, centre) but there are some very interesting rules. For example, you MUST pass the ring to a teammate over the two blue lines, and you can’t enter in the “crease” around the goalie. The cages or face masks of the helmets are triangles instead of squares, and to get the ring from an opposing player you need to “check” underneath their stick (in other words whack their stick with yours!)

Different then hockey? You bet! Ringette has been named “The Fastest Game on Ice” which some people disagree with. But not me. In Ringette you need to be quick and precise with every pass and move you make.

I love Ringette because it’s fast, fun, and of course Girls Only! I have played for five years and I hope to continue and keep improving and learning more. I think it’s a great way to exercise, make friends, and learn to work as a team.

If you didn’t know much about ringette to begin with I hope you learned something and you now know the difference between hockey and “The Fastest Game on Ice”!

If you would like to learn more about my favorite sport, visit www.ringette.ca

Concussions in girls’ hockey worry Minnesota coaches

Are concussions  a problem in girls hockey? Coaches in Minnesota worry that as games get faster and players stronger, brain injuries can occur in a non-checking sport.

Around the world wide web…

December 10, 2008 – We don’t write this news. We just link to it.  A handful of nuggets you may find interesting.

Take 2 aspirin
India’s most famous female tennis player will now be known as Doctor. Sania Mirza was conferred an honorary doctorate (Doctorate of Letters) by the MGR University. Now if she could only prescribe something to mend her ailing wrist.

Pressure is a Priviledge
New York-area residents can take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle to spend time with Billie Jean King reading from her latest book at the B&N in Manhattan tonight.

Gear girl
Thinking about a career change? Meet gear girl Kate Anderson who was the equipment manager for the U.S. National Women’s Hockey Team for the Four Nations CUP in November.

Players Perspectives
Oklahoma senior Courtney Paris is one of seven women’s basketball players who are providing periodic updates on their seasons. CP writes…. “random people ask if I’m the one with all the double-doubles. I’m glad to see that people are becoming more aware of women’s basketball. Recently I have learned this about my streak and others: that it is hard to do ……”

The Obama-Olympic Softball Link
Not only is Barack Obama viewed as an asset to Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid, he may help women’s softball in its battle to return to the Olympics.

Cammi Granato inducted into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

October 11, 2008 – Cammi Granato is one of the best female hockey players ever produced in the United States, and one of the most recognized. 

 A 15-year member of the U.S. Women’s National Team beginning in 1990, Granato is the program’s all-time scoring leader with 343 points (186 goals) in 205 games. She achieved international fame in 1998 when she captained Team USA to the first Olympic gold medal in women’s ice hockey history.

An ambassador to the women’s game, Granato has appeared on the front of a Wheaties cereal box and carried the American flag for Team USA during closing ceremonies of the 1998 Olympics. She’s also served as a role model for thousands of teenage girls who never would have realized their dream of playing collegiate or international hockey if not for her.

Last night, Granato was most deservedly inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. She become the first female of 138 members in the Hall and was honored during a ceremony at Magness Arena on the campus of the University of Denver. 

NHL legend Brett Hull said he’s privileged to be entering the Hall alongside Granato.

“I’d put Cammi’s impact on the game and the team she played for right up there with what the 1980 Olympic men’s team did for hockey in this country,” Hull said. “She’s done just as much, if not more, for grass roots hockey at that level. I don’t think they could have picked anyone better to be the first woman inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.”

“To know I was the first woman, it was a pretty nice feeling,” she said of the honor.

If you’re a fan, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum is  can be found in Eveleth, Minn (”The Capital of American Hockey”). According to their site, you can experience the thrilling game action and inspiring achievements via physical displays, exhibits, video, theater and memorabilia. Try your skills on the replica rink, see the #4 Zamboni, watch the 1980 Olympic Team as they take home the Gold and more!

Hockey shows some love to the women

May 16, 2008 – The International Ice Hockey Federation threw a party and finally invited some women.

American Cammi Granato and Canadians Geraldine Heaney and Angela James became the first women inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, which is housed inside the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. There are now 163 players and builders from 23 countries enshrined in the hall.

Granato, who played 15 years, captained Team USA and won Olympic gold in 1998, gave an impassioned and eloquent acceptance speech that was both personal and representative of all female players.

“To be among the first women in the Hall of Fame is hard to put into words but it’s extremely special to me. I’m incredibly honoured. I grew up playing with boys and shared the same dream as my brothers.”

“It was really hard for me to accept that I couldn’t play for the Chicago Blackhawks. Because I was a girl I couldn’t have that dream. I want to thank the IIHF for giving me another dream.”

Heaney, who won seven gold medals at the worlds and one at the 2002 Olympics, was choked up at the event as she had recently suffered a death in the family.

“She was a huge hockey fan and a supporter of me. I’d just like to say this is for you, Kath,” Heaney said at the podium.

James was also emotional and cognizant of their role in female hockey history as she accepted her place in the hall.

“We were very fortunate we had the opportunity to play so many years. We’re just the start of many more to come. We’re going to hopefully continue to see a great game for years to come.”

Ice Hockey Lingo

Assist
the last player to handle the puck prior to the scoring of the goal is credited with the assist.

Boarding
penalty given to a player for flagrantly knocking another player into the boards.

Boards
wooden and glass walls that surround the rink.

Body Check
using the hip or shoulder to impede the progress of a player or knock into a player.

Breakaway
one-on-one scoring opportunity between the puck carrier and the opposing goaltender.

Butterfly Save
goalie drops to her knees and points her toes out, creating a “V” shape with the goal pads to prevent the goal.

Changing on the Fly
substitution of players without stopping the play.

Charging
infraction in which a player deliberately checks another player after taking more than two strides.

Check
used to gain the puck from an opponent; sometimes indicates a player that is being covered closely in one on one defensive

Coast to Coast
player skates from their end to the opponents end without passing or losing the puck.

Crease
semicircle in front of the goal known as the goaltender’s privileged area. No players are allowed inside the goalie’s crease.

Crossover
skating technique is which one skate is placed in front of the skate on the opposite leg.

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National Women’s Hockey League Announces Major Expansion

Canada - Women’s hockey has taken an important momentous step as this sport continues to grow across North America. “All elite women’s hockey teams in North America will play within the NWHL this coming season,” announced Susan Fennell, Commissioner of the National Women’s Hockey League. “Discussions have been underway over the past several months, and clearly all players want one pinnacle Championship to strive for.” Read more

Ruggiero makes power play on “The Apprentice”

July 21, 2007 – Hired or fired? Olympian Angela Ruggiero traveled to Los Angeles during the summer of 2006 to film the 6th season of Donald Trump’s NBC show, which launched with 18 wannabe apprentices including an internet entrepreneur, a construction firm owner and five attorneys.

Angela, 26, grew up in Los Angeles, California and Harper Woods, Michigan. She graduated cum laude with a degree in government from Harvard University, where she was an NCAA First Team Academic All-American as well as one of the top eight student athletes in the entire NCAA in 2004.

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Wisconsin wins 2007 Collegiate Women’s Ice Hockey Title

March 17, 2007 Four different Badgers scored as the No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team defeated Minnesota Duluth 4-1 in the NCAA Frozen Four championship game at Herb Brooks Arena to claim the team’s second straight NCAA title. Read more