Maple Grove Hockey Moms: From Stands to Skates

After years of watching their kids play hockey, one group of Maple Grove moms decided it was time to join the sport.

As a result, the Black Eyed Pucks was born.

“The idea for forming the team came from years of sitting with hockey moms and friends who would mention to me that they always wanted to play hockey,” Coach Lisa Jost said. “In the spring of 2011, I decided it was time to start a team for them.”

Jost, a hockey player in a Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota league for the last 12 years, decided to create a beginning level team. League rules prevented her from playing with a starter team, so she decided to coach and manage the new Maple Grove moms team – later named the Black Eyed Pucks.

“For years, a number of us moms have talked about how fun it would be to play as we watched our kids playing with OMGHA,” player Teresa Devick said. “Now, not only do I get to finally try hockey but in addition it is a fantastic workout that is actually just fun.”

During the summer last year, Jost started recruiting players, team assistants and managers. Team meetings followed along with the team name chosen by the new players. In October, the team took to the ice for their first season. The group plays against six other teams in their division, traveling the metro area for away game or hosting home games at the or Brooklyn Park Activity Center. 

“This [playing hockey] was definitely outside my comfort zone!  I love watching the kids play hockey and I know the rules so it seemed like a good idea.  After our first team meeting at Cousineau’s I said I wanted to play full time and after our first practice, I was hooked,” player and manager Mary Helvey said.  “It is such a great group of women, it’s fun and great exercise. I’m so glad I joined!”

Inaugural Season

It has been a growing season for the Black Eyed Pucks. For several of the players, it was the first time they played hockey.

“One of my challenges has been that I’ve watched so much hockey that my head knows what to do, but I’m not a good enough skater to execute – yet,” Helvey said. “The first practice I was nervous to skate to the bench holding both my water bottle and my stick!"

Inexperience has been a challenge, according to Devick. It's a hurdle that the team is quickly overcoming.

“At first we got excited if we could just get it out of our zone and not by icing it, now we are scoring goals on people who have been playing for a couple of years,” Devick said.  “Also in the beginning many on our team didn't really know how to skate and those same people are now doing cross-overs and battling for the puck instead of just trying to stand up.”

The Black Eyed Pucks have yet to win a game, but Jost says the team gets more skilled and competitive at each game played.

“It's also great seeing plays come together and everyone improving with every game,” team captain Brenda Cassibo said. 

Support Off the Ice

As the moms have left the stands for the skates, their support system has followed. 

“The team has had a great first season thanks to many people volunteering their time,” Jost said. Volunteering included husbands helping with coaching, score keeping, time clock, videotaping games.

“The support from our families and friends has been great,” Devick said. “We have seen support as well from others in Maple Grove, both Cousineau's and The Lookout sponsored us this year which we very much appreciate.”

As for their children, some have been amused by their hockey playing moms – but supportive.

“They find it very funny, but even they admit that we have come along way in our first year,” Devick said. “In fact, I often point out how much further I have come along in one year compared to their first year as a mite.”

Helvey said the players children are “very supportive” and think it’s “fun” their moms are playing.

“I have always felt that the kids do well on the ice, but I have gained even more appreciation for all they do since trying it myself,” Helvey said. “There’s a lot going on out there! They make it look easy.”

Black Eyed Pucks Roster includes: 

Paula Donaldson, Kathy Prekker, Mary Helvey, Traci Ziton, Teresa Devick, Judith Blesi, Joy Kunz, Jennifer Schoenberg, Brenda Cassibo, Linda Koenig, Lynette Corbin, Shari Lanou, Pamela Ford, Lisa Sharp, Patricia Leaf, Lynette Corbin and Shannon Camlin. Coaches Lisa Jost, Anthony Kunz, Matt Lanou and Jennifer Rainerson.