Fun

Funky

Hockey

Ladies

Bellaplā!

Bellaplā (bella play)

I came to hockey late in life. I am ever so grateful to have found it. My kids and some close friends get the credit. When my family first moved to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana we had zero hockey knowledge or culture. My first exposure was from some friends of ours who were driving their kids one hour each way, three days a week from Hamilton to Missoula. At the time, my own children were young. I had three, and in a couple years, four. I thought this was too much. I was very much interested in the idea but the distance and time trapped in a car with young hungry children seemed insurmountable.

Soon after my fourth child was born, we moved to Kalispell, MT. Whitefish has a year around in indoor rink and Kalispell has a seasonal outdoor rink. Suddenly, hockey was a go. My two middle kids jumped in at eight and six yrs old. After three years of being a hockey mom and volunteer, my husband and I, hesitantly, yet excitedly, jumped in ourselves. I understand now how/why my friends were willing to drive for hockey. I would now do the same. Hockey is the most challenging, technical and fun sport I’ve experienced. Even better, for us, it is a family affair. We have a healthy outdoor activity all winter!

Six years into hockey and I now help coach at the 8U level with my son after running toddler skate for three years in a row. I will follow him up and help coach year-to-year. I have one daughter and two boys playing. I love organizing girl’s events- 3v3, tourneys, festivals, and the like. My daughter has been a source of inspiration for myself and this company. I have found that there is not much in the hockey realm that is designed for girls. I want to support girls and women playing hockey. I want to help the ladies be seen as ladies. When I take the ice, I enjoy having hockey socks that are fun and a jersey that make me feel good. It is exciting to see so many women and girl’s getting on the ice and playing hockey! I believe the more hockey lifestyle, gear and equipment options we have for women, the more it inspires and gives courage to other ladies to play and be part of the club. Women appreciate style. I want the girls to remember our tournaments because it was good skating, they made new friends and healthy competition but also because they walked away with an item that makes them feel like hockey represents them, their style, strength, and swagger. Females are expressive by nature.

I strive to make gear, apparel and resources more specific to females.

It is never too late to skate!