It is the mission of the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets Girls' hockey program to build a dedicated, well-organized, and solid hockey foundation. Our goal is to provide the resources, tools, and positive environment to prepare our girls for competitive hockey along with helping them become great students, confident leaders, and effective citizens. Core of our mission is to foster an environment of mutual respect for themselves, their teammates and others. The girls will be encouraged to support one another and to appreciate their fullest potential as players and young adults. We expect loyalty, commitment, and positive attitudes from every player, coach, and parent. We recognize our responsibility to proudly represent the Columbus community and the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets organization as we develop a program that is well respected throughout North America.
Continuing this mission to make Tier 1 competitive hockey available to female players, the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets will field U14 and U16 girls' teams in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League.
2013-2014 U14 and U16 Tryouts
We want to thank everyone for making the U14 and U16 Tier 1 Tryouts a success. The talent on the ice was impressive. The girls' compassion for the sport was outstanding. Rosters are now posted under the appropriate tabs on the left.
In the meantime, please contact Coach Mo if you are interested in playing Tier I hockey or hockey at any level. Coach Mo can be reached at mobrien4@columbus.rr.com
Schedule Games
Please contact Mo O’Brien if your team is wanting to schedule a game now or during the hockey season. mobrien4@columbus.rr.com.
For more information contact Leslie Walker, CCYHA Girls Hockey Director, at lwalker@ccyha.org or Coach Mo at mobrien4@columbus.rr.com or Teresa Covert, Manager AAA U14 at covert864@gmail.com.
AAA Coaching Staff
Marianne (Mo) O’Brien. Mo is a fixture at the rinks in the Columbus area and has been involved with and coaching boys’ youth hockey at the AAA level for many years. She is an experienced instructor and has led numerous clinics and camps through the Chiller’s Hockey School programs. This year Mo sends her son off to play junior level hockey in Minnesota and she enjoys playing in the CAHL adult league herself. Mo believes off-ice workouts are very important and has each player create an off-ice folder where she provides players off-ice drills on a routine bases. Coach Mo has her level 5 coaching certificate.
Alyssa Hoot comes off a successful college career at New England College. Playing defense for the Pilgrims she was a solid starter for all four years playing in 107 games. Alyssa earned ECAC East All Academic Team - Hockey - 2010/2011, 2011/2012, and 2012/2013. Earned Dean’s list in 2010 and 2012. She also played all four years on the NEC Varsity Softball team in which she served as captain this last season and named to the Commonwealth Coast Conference All-Conference 1st Team(2010). Alyssa graduated from the New England College with her Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology and a Minor in Coaching.
Michele Tonnessen. Michele has established herself firmly in the fabric of girls’/women’s hockey both as a player and coach in central Ohio. She played high school hockey with Gahanna Lincoln and with the Ohio Flames before moving on to The Ohio State University where she played at the D1 level for the Buckeyes. Michele assisted with AAA girls’ team and head coach for U19 Tier I and continues her active role in the development of both players and the program. Coach Michele has her level 4 coaching certificate.
Coach Michele’s U19 team played at Mid Am Nationals this past season in San Jose.
Clare Martin. Clare is from Atlanta, Georgia and is completing her level 5 coaching certificate. She has three children who have played 14 cumulative years of hockey. Clare has five years of coaching experience and enjoys working individually with players to fine tune their skating, paying close attention to detail. Her passion is to develop the whole person, not just the hockey player. Clare assists with our weekend practices as well as on the bench.
Our special guest instructor, John Markell, assisted the girls on the ice this past season. John served as the head coach of the Ohio State men’s hockey team from 1995-96 through 2009-10. The seventh Buckeye head coach, he led the team to the NCAA tournament six times, marking the only appearances in program history, with an NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 1998.
Community Service
Few of our services projects for the season 2012/13 included volunteering at the Special Needs Hockey game at Nationwide Arena. This is the first ice hockey team for people with developmental disabilities in the Columbus Area. The team first began practicing in 2007. Since it's formation, it has had the opportunity to take part in some very exciting events, including the "Future Jackets" intermission skate at Blue Jackets games, practicing on the Nationwide Arena ice, playing games with other special hockey programs in the Midwest, and participating in annual national and international tournaments. The CCYHA Columbus Blue Jackets receives tremendous support from the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and the Blue Jackets Foundation.
The team also volunteered with the Columbus Blue Jackets foundation by cleaning and organizing the equipment bank housed by The Chiller. Once a year all the gear is put into the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation equipment swap. Any financial proceeds are donated to the Foundation. The Foundation works to “raise public awareness and financial support for essential and timely initiatives that represent four recognized pillars of giving –pediatric cancer, children’s health & safety, education and the development of youth & amateur hockey.”
Hockey offers the foundation – foundation of success on and off the ice
