THE ANCHORAGE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION – Girls program is dedicated to fostering the social, personal, and athletic growth of girls through the game of hockey. We strive to provide each player with the individual skills, teamwork, and discipline needed to achieve success in hockey and in life. In our opinion, we’re not just developing hockey players, but young ladies that will make a positive impact on the future.

AHA recognizes that girls are unique and their path through the sport of hockey is special to each girl. It’s important to provide them with an environment where they’re comfortable and can thrive. That’s why the association has set aside resources to have an individual focus solely on those girls’ growth and love for the game.

Hello! For those that I have not had the privilege of meeting, my name is Cassi Campbell and I’m the Girls Development Director for the Anchorage Hockey Association. This position was created in 2020 following many discussions around the lack of individual attention given to the girls in our sport in the state. AHA felt that girls needed an advocate and someone to not only support them but be a voice for them at the state level. That’s where I come in. As a lifelong Alaskan who grew up playing hockey here locally, then went on to play and coach at the collegiate level, I see the importance in making the girls experience at the rink unique. Although we like to think that girls can be treated like one of the boys, they’re motivated by different things and learn differently. Embracing that and making an impactful environment for them is what keeps them in the sport and that’s my number one priority.

I’ve had the privilege of coaching within this association for over a decade and am honored to watch the girls game grow. It’s been an honor to see some of my girls now playing for the schools I played against in college, and I firmly believe this is just the beginning. Just like with the boys’ side, there are waves in numbers as different birth years fluctuate, but the overall girl numbers continue to grow across the country and that’s exciting. AHA is the only association to offer all-girls teams across all skill levels (B, A, AA), providing an environment where girls can safely learn the game and skills in the same association as girls competing at the highest level of their age group in the country. I think it’s important our players what’s possible and interact with those that they want to replace one day. I also strongly believe that it’s important that the older girls mentor the younger ones and are part of their hockey journey. 

In the fourth year of this specialized girl’s program, I look forward to continuing to grow options for our girls:

• Girl Skates – Monthly skates open to girls ages 10 and under across the state. These fun skates are designed to offer girls the opportunity to meet and interact with other girls that they might not get to spend time with otherwise. The skates are managed by me, but with help from North Star girls’ players.
  • First one is September 15 at 12:15PM at DA2!
• Watch Parties – Girls should watch other girls play hockey, across many levels. They need to see people that look like them doing what they want to do, as well as see support from other girls. All of our girls’ teams will have opportunities to go and watch, and support, other AHA girls’ teams through the season. These are known as Watch Parties and typically include pizza, sign making, maybe some noise makers, and more.
• End of the season banquet – Back by popular demand will be an end of the year banquet for our girls’ program. This will be held the weekend of the Ponytail Tournament and be used to celebrate each team’s successes throughout the season.
• Volunteer Opportunities – I want to be sure that we’re developing not only hockey players, but good people. There are many volunteer opportunities provided for girls of all ages through the season. These hours can go toward school and other academic requirements.
• Additional development support – Seminars will be offered on different subjects throughout the season on nutrition, the college hockey recruiting process, dryland training, and college coach Q&A.
• Family Support – Not every family has grown up in this sport and could use some guidance at times. I’m here to support families across all age and skill levels of our girl players. I’m available 24/7 to families and players to assist in whatever way possible.

I'm really looking forward to another year of hockey for our girls. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, ideas, etc.!