Hey hockey fans! Big news from the New Jersey Devils today. Amanda Pelkey, a U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and Professional Women’s Ice Hockey Player, is joining the organization as the Female Hockey Ambassador for Youth Hockey and Growth initiatives for the 2023-24 season. How cool is that?
Pelkey is making history as the first Female Hockey Ambassador for the New Jersey Devils. She will be making appearances at Learn to Play Clinics all across the state, including an All-Girls Learn to Play program at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. She will also be hosting Girls Clinic Series at various rink partners and other special events throughout the season to encourage more girls to get involved in hockey. Talk about inspiring!
To kick off the Female Hockey Ambassador Program, Pelkey recently visited the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House for USA Hockey Girls Hockey Weekend. She had a Q&A session with girls from the Learn to Play program, giving them the chance to interact with a real Olympic Gold Medalist. How amazing is that? After the Q&A, Pelkey joined the New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey and Growth initiatives team for an on-ice clinic. Can you imagine learning from a pro like Pelkey?
And the fun doesn’t stop there! Pelkey will be appearing next at Ice Vault Arena for the New Jersey Bandits Girls Program. If you’re in Wayne, New Jersey, mark your calendars for Thursday, November 2. It’s going to be a blast!
Pelkey is beyond excited to be a part of the New Jersey Devils Organization. She said, “Growing this game at the grassroots level and connecting with future generations of players is something I have always been passionate about and this position will allow me to dive in and make an impact. The Devils organization has pushed the needle forward in all aspects and I am looking forward to building on their success.”
The Female Hockey Ambassador Program was created by the NHL & NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee in 2019. It is funded by the Industry Growth Fund and provides NHL Clubs with funding and opportunities to use Female Hockey Ambassadors to promote the game. These ambassadors are either current or former National Team members, elite level players, coaches, or role models. It’s all about empowering girls and women in hockey!
As we gear up for the 2023-24 NHL season, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and National Hockey League are celebrating 10 years of the Industry Growth Fund. This fund has dedicated over $180 million to develop programming, create initiatives, host events, and provide education to grow the game of hockey. It’s incredible to see the impact it has had on communities across North America.
So, let’s give a big shoutout to Amanda Pelkey for joining the New Jersey Devils and becoming the Female Hockey Ambassador. She’s going to do amazing things for youth hockey and inspire the next generation of players. Go Devils!