(KP Junior High Hockey Player Abby Carr)
In its second season, KP Junior High Girls hockey has doubled in size providing girls in grades 6 through 8 an opportunity to represent their towns and have another competitive outlet on the ice. Many of the girls play for the similarly named King Philip Walpole Youth Hockey (KPWYH) program as well as club teams. But the KP Junior High team is different. When the girls hit the ice in their gold and green uniforms, it’s a chance to play alongside classmates and neighbors.
The junior high hockey program is the brainchild of Tom Connor, a longtime proponent of girls hockey. In addition to pushing for an all girls program within KPWYH three years ago, he started the junior high program last year. In the inaugural season, he was able to field one team. This year there are two teams, and he hopes for three teams next season. The teams only play games and are part of an unofficial league. There isn’t a league championship or standings. It’s simply about playing hockey. “This is classic junior high hockey,” Connor says. “You will have varying levels of talent, however the girls don't even notice it. They just cheer each other on and have a blast.”
One trip to the rink when the junior high teams are on the ice and it’s clear they’re having a blast. The girls are enthusiastic to play and approach the game with determination. “As the father of a female hockey player, I can’t do anything but smile proudly when seeing all of these young athletes out there playing with such fire and skill,” says Randy Yanoshak, president of KPWYH, and an assistant coach for one of the junior high teams. “As the president of King Philip Walpole Youth Hockey, knowing our girls program is helping create opportunities such as these is tremendously fulfilling. Almost every one of those players has been a part of the KPW family over the years, and helping them move on to play for their school teams is precisely why KPW has taken a leadership role in expanding the opportunities for girl players to play in a town hockey program.”
On a Sunday night in December the KP Junior High Green team faced off against a team from Walpole. As the girls rolled into Norfolk Ice Arena, they would laugh when they learned who they were playing against, mostly teammates from their KPW team, and then lobbied the coaches to make sure they were matched up against their friends; teammates for KPW, fierce rivals now that it was a junior high game. “Some of these players are great friends, were linemates as recently as this morning and have been teammates for several seasons,” Yanoshak explains. “We definitely heard a lot of ‘Coach, can I play against her?’ requests. To come out on a Sunday evening after already being on the ice for a few hours this weekend, and to play with the energy they brought, is a tribute to how much passion these student athletes already have developed for hockey.”
The KP Junior High program is not officially associated with the King Philip Regional School System, but the girls all come from KP towns. Most of the players attend either 6th grade in the elementary schools or KP Middle School. The uniforms closely resemble the KP High School Girls uniforms and the connection with that program is very strong. “I'm in the process of working with the High School to align both the boys and girls high school programs with the junior high programs,” Connor says. “This is a critical part of the puzzle to help continue to drive growth and sustainability.”
While the relationship hasn't been formalized, Connor has worked closely with the hockey coaches at high school. Connor was able to recruit Paul Lyons, the head coach for the girls team, and high school players to work with KPWYH programs.
The success of both the KPWYH program and the KP Junior High program is welcomed by Lyons. “This will only help build a bigger and stronger high school program,” Lyons says.
In recognition of the closeness between the girls youth programs and the high school, the junior high players will be introduced during the second intermission at the KP High Girls Hockey team opener against Situate on Saturday, December 13th, at Foxboro Sports Center, 7:30 p.m. Members of the KPWYH U8 and Girls Learn to Play will have a three minute scrimmage during the first intermission.
The game is also a fundraiser for the Wounded Warriors project with the admission going towards the veterans’ charities. “This year's High School team looks good and ready,” Lyons says. “Looking forward to a very successful season and getting back into the tournament"
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The KP Boys High School Alumni game will take place on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Norfolk Ice Arena. The game will highlight past KP High players and introduce the KP High Boys Varsity and JV teams. Lehan is optimistic for the team’s season. “We have a nice balance of new and experienced players and are 4 lines deep,” he says. “We have speed up front with a strong experienced defensive core. While our goaltending may lack game experience, we will be solid in goal.”
The KP Boys High School Hockey team is also holding a dough raiser fundraiser at Uno on December 17. Download this coupon and bring it to Uno at Wrentham Premium Outlets on the 17th and 20 % of the bill will be donated to King Philip Boys Varsity and JV Hockey.
