The Drive for 25

Dear Family and Friends,

Most of you know that I have been a committed ice hockey player since I was 4 years old. As my only sport, I have played hockey year round since then taking every opportunity to become a skilled and competitive player. I have always tried to play my very best and I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years. I definitely could not be playing at my current level without the help and support of you all. More recently opportunities to play at the most competitive levels for my age have come my way and I am in need of your support again.

This year I have a number of opportunities before me. Some are part of my regular season and some I have tried out for or been invited to be a part of. The opportunities I have to play hockey this year are listed below.
 I will continue playing and practicing in the Southern Oregon Jr. Summits house program in Medford. This is my home ice and where I work out 3-4 times a week. This year I will work on my fundamental skating skills, endurance, focus and basic team play strategies. We have a new hockey director from Northern Edge Elite Hockey Schools who will assist me.
 I will be traveling with the Jr. Summits Peewee Boys Team to a number of tournaments in Oregon, Washington and California. Realistically, this will be the last year that I can play boys travel hockey due to physical differences, so I am excited by this last chance to experience the physical play and checking that boys bring to the game. I’ll be a smarter and tougher player because of it.
 I made the NW Selects U12 team again this year. The NW Selects are a tournament team made up of the best girls playing hockey in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. We will be traveling to play in two tournaments in Canada this year at the highest levels available for girls my age, Tier 1 AA/AAA. The NW Selects is a highly competitive organization focused on my continued development as a premier player and will offer me opportunities to play at regional and national levels starting next year.
 I’ve also been invited to play with the Portland Jr. Hawks this year. The Jr. Hawks are a dedicated youth hockey program that has committed to creating house and travel opportunities for girls in the Portland/Vancouver area. The coach feels that I am a strong and valuable player, and although I live outside the Portland area, has invited me to play with this team this season. She is excited to have recruited the very best Peewee girls from Oregon and Washington and I am honored to be one of them. Playing for the Jr. Hawks team will allow me greater connection in a hockey program that could lead to playing during my high school years and beyond.

I am so excited to be on each of these teams this year. This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I will be able to do what I love best, play lots of hockey. However, hockey is an expensive sport and fundraising will have to be a key element in making this happen. I write this letter to ask for your support this year. Raising money helps me take ownership in all of these activities and demonstrates my willingness to help pay to play the sport I love. I am seeking 25 people who will support me with $20 or more in a push I am calling the “Drive for 25”. This $500 and more will offset almost all my house fees and leave my parents with travel and tournament fees associated with the other teams. This amount will help greatly and is a good compromise between my parents and I regarding how much I want to play the sport of hockey and the sheer cost of being involved at this level.

I want you to also get something in return for your investment. I want to invite you to be a part of my hockey season. Follow this “Drive for 25”, my season, the goals, the tournaments, my growth in the sport, the disappointments and the excitement online at www.thegirlplayshockey.blogspot.com. I will work to communicate everything going on with me this season on this site and you can participate in the community of family and friends that have helped me get to this place: playing the best hockey available in the Pacific Northwest.

Thanks again for your support, and I hope to hear from you and see you online soon.