Brad,

You may be surprised that several of us are OK with our girls skating with Bantam aged boys, but most of us here have dealt with the experience without the negative (injury) issues.

If she is a good skater (and I agree that you can always improve your skating and should take more skating lessons), the tier II situation which IIRC in Canada is more akin to house hockey should not be as dangerous as these are not necessarily the most skilled guys out there. It is actually very difficult to throw an effective check if you are not a well-balanced skater. Of course, this doesn't exclude the amateur cheap shots that commit the checker to taking a fall.

I know my daughter (the goalie) has never had a problem playing house hockey (when she played locally) as a skater with checking. Usually, she was the one delivering the check, even against some of the other travel players who participated in the league. She's 5' 5" and 135 lbs and was checking guys with 6 inches and 50 lbs on her.

And we have another local girl who is 5' 2" and about 125 lbs who plays (defense) travel Midget Major and has been playing travel with the guys for 10 years. She is an excellent skater (been to national camp the last few years) so it is rare that anyone can lay a glove on her. And when she does get caught in a crowd, the opponents know she is being protected.

That being said, I still think most girls are happier playing on girls teams as I think the comeraderie is better there. Mine has done both and enjoys both for different reasons. But if the OP wants to play with the guys and is good enough, she should play where she is happy. And she is lucky to live in an area where she has the choice. Many of us don't, so we send our daughters away to school to play (and get a better education) rather than continue a crazy travel schedule.

I take it Brad, that your daughter plays with the Blaze? It is good to see girls hockey grow in non-traditional places. Hope your daughter's team has a good season.

RWG

after reading through this thread again, I don't see where anyone encouraged this player to play boys over girls. I also see where the girl stated she was taking power skating lessons, which was supported by the other posters as a very important step in her development.

Many top girls still start on a boys team and move to a girls team in later years. Each girl is different as to when it is the right time to switch, if ever. My daughter has played against and with some of the top players in North America and about half of those girls did not leave the boys teams until their Midget Minor year of hockey. Several of those girls, my daughter included, played at the very highest boys level before making the switch to girls.

Again, every situation is as unique as every girl. There is no absolute right or wrong way to approach and succeed in this sport.

So...On Saturday I had my first official hockey tryout/practice...we learn't what drills the coaches would be seeing us do so that they could pick us for the team...I sucked at all of the backwards stuff...That night I went home and practiced on my rollerblades and got better by the next day already...I do enjoy it and in the next 3 days I have 3 scrimmages so that the coaches can put us into official teams...I must say that the rollerblading is definately helping me out!

Today we had our second game. We won 6-2 and apparently I had the hit of the game It's fun playing and I really like it. I'm Right Winger. Our first game we tied 3-3. Thanks for all the support

Thanks for they update

Hope you continue to enjoy the game and let us know how the season turns out.

Today we won our game again...we have only lost 3 games I believe.But my team is in 3rd place. Just wanted to update you guys!

That is awesome. It sounds like you are having a great time. Keep us posted, keep working hard, and most important HAVE FUN!!!!!