By Cindy Himes
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby teamed up to create the Little Penguins program for the 2008-09 season; and, to say that it has been a huge success or that it has had a positive effect on local youth would be a vast understatement.
The program focused on introducing both boys and girls to the sport; but, it significantly opened a new world to many young girls who never envisioned themselves playing hockey.
Over 13 seasons, the Little Penguins program has seen nearly 2,000 young girls participate. Meanwhile, according to USA Hockey membership data, female players have grown overall in western Pennsylvania by 70.2% since 2008; a testament to the Little Penguins program helping to grown the sport for girls.
A new generation of girls were being introduced to the great sport of hockey.
March is celebrated as Gender Equality Month in the NHL; and, the Penguins and the Penguins Foundation would like to recognize three young women who participated in the inaugural season of the Little Penguins program and continue to advance and enjoy the sport …
Mackenzie (Kenzie) King started Little Penguins in 2008-09 at Mt. Lebanon and played for the Mt. Lebanon Hornets. She started playing forward at 10U and came up through the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite ranks. She is currently playing on the 19U Girls DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Penguins Elite team and is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Holy Cross next year, while studying biology on a pre-med track.
Aubrey Suttelle also started Little Penguins in 2008, playing at RMU Island Sports Center as one of only a handful of girls. She advanced to play house league, Boys AA travel, and currently is playing defense on the 19U Girls DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Penguins Elite team and for Shadyside Academy. She is committed to St. Lawrence University to play NCAA Division I hockey next fall.
Isabella (Bella) Hervert enrolled in the inaugural season of Little Penguins at Warrendale and currently plays both defense and wing on the 19U Girls DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Penguins Elite team and the Montour High School varsity (co-ed) team.
“Kenzie, Aubrey and Bella have each had a positive impact in one way or another for our program,” stated Danny MacKinnon, Director of Penguins Elite Hockey. “Each of them is a great role model for our younger girls. We wish them best of luck next year starting their collegiate careers.”
For all three young women, youth hockey has been a family affair as Mackenzie’s mother serves as the 19U Girls team manager; Aubrey’s sister Ashlyn plays on the 14U Girls team; and Isabella’s sister Gabriella plays on the 12U Suisham Girls team.
Both the Little Penguins and the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite programs are supported and sponsored by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The Little Penguins Learn to Play program introduces children to the sport of hockey and provides equipment along with eight to ten weeks of age-appropriate instruction at over 20 rinks around the Pittsburgh region.
Congratulations to Mackenzie, Aubrey and Isabella on all their accomplishments since joining the Little Penguins program upon its launch in 2008. May you continue to blaze a trail for all the young girls who will follow you into the exciting sport of hockey.