The Jaguar Hockey Club is making waves in Joliet, Illinois, by establishing its first-ever all-girls ice hockey team. This initiative is not just about sports; it's about rewriting a historic narrative and providing opportunities that were once unavailable.
Image of a hockey stick and puck.
A Dream Realized
When the Jaguar Hockey Club opened applications, the initial hope was simply to gather enough girls to form a single team. The response, however, far exceeded expectations, with interest more than tripling.
For many involved, the creation of this team represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Lauren Walsh, president of the Jaguar Hockey Club, shares a personal connection to this mission.
"When we lost my sister when she was 19, and hockey was her absolute favorite thing in the world, but that's been 25 years ago, and girls hockey was not an option," Jaguar Hockey Club president Lauren Walsh said.
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Walsh explained that her sister never had the chance to play on a team. "Even her senior pictures were taken in old Blackhawk gear and sticks and all that," Walsh said. Now, 25 years later, Walsh is carrying out her sister's love by giving the young girls of Joliet a chance to compete.
"We were just hoping for 12 girls that were interested, and now we're in the 40s, 50s," Walsh said.
The Growth of Girls' Hockey
The emergence of the Jaguar Hockey Club's all-girls team reflects a broader trend in the sport. According to USA Hockey, girls' hockey in the United States has seen a participation increase of 65% over the past 15 seasons.
This surge in popularity is creating new opportunities and inspiring young athletes like Penny Antos and Ellie Sorg, who are excited to join the team this year. "I want to be good enough that they start accepting girls into the NHL," 10-year-old Jaguar Hockey Club player Penny Antos said.
With the launch of the professional women's hockey league in 2023, the girls can now take their dream into adulthood. "You just see them and you're like, 'Hey, I want to be like them,'" Sorg said.
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The Role of Dedicated Coaches
Behind every successful team is a dedicated coaching staff. At the Jaguar Hockey Club, coaches like Greg "Stormy" Stornello play a vital role in developing young talent.
"The puck's the same color, but when you have the girls in the locker room and stuff like that, it transcends on there's a lot of smiles out there," Jaguar Hockey director Greg Stornello said.
Greg "Stormy" Stornello's Coaching Experience:
- Over 25 years of playing/coaching experience.
- Overseeing the development of goalies in local Youth Hockey Clubs.
- Instructed and helped develop goalies at all playing levels, i.e., pre-hockey, Tier I, Tier II, High School, Juniors and College.
- Current Hockey Director / Goalie Director for the Jaguar Hockey Club.
- Goalie Coach for the Junior Blackhawk Brick Team.
- Goalie Coach for the Chicago Mission at the 1999 and 2000 and 2001 Birth Levels.
Image of a hockey game.
Stornello's passion for coaching began in his teenage years, attending camps such as Midwest Goalie School, Great Saves, and Midwest Elite. His extensive experience includes playing Junior Hockey in Illinois and beyond.
Early History
The franchise joined the NorPac in 2004 when the league was a Jr. B league. They originally played at Valley Ice Arena in Beaverton, Oregon. In 2007 the league and member teams were granted Tier III Jr. In 2010, the Jaguars began playing out of the Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, Washington. After one season in Vancouver, the Jaguars were renamed and became the Vancouver Victory.
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The NorPac was for 16 to 20-year-old player development in a professional environment while maintaining their amateur status for college eligibility.
On November 27, 2005, Jaguars player, Jonathan Medina from California, died in an accident.