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The female members of the Minnesota Wild Ice Crew have serious hockey backgrounds

 

By Alyssa Hollenback
Let’s Play Hockey
 

If you have ever been to a Minnesota Wild game, you have noticed the ice crews doing the clearing of accumulated snow during commercial breaks. You have probably also noticed that in the last several years, this crew has become almost entirely built up of women. While not a new trend in the NHL, the women of the Wild Ice Crew are a cut above the rest.

 

 

Although one of the more underappreciated roles in the NHL, ice crews repeatedly clear the entire rink to ensure it is free of ice shavings. Clearing a 200 x 85 surface is no easy feat, but game after game, the Wild Ice Crew manages to make it look easy. Just like the work of the Zamboni, which tends to get the most attention, this crew of synchronized skaters makes play possible; they are efficient and coordinated all within the two-minute time limit they are allowed, at least nine times a game.

 

Unlike most NHL franchises, whose “ice girls” serve more as a novelty to spectators, the women of the Minnesota Wild Ice Crew have serious hockey backgrounds. These 16 women were high school and college players, many of whom now also have coaching under their belt.

 

“We have always had ice crews and they play an essential role in the game, but several years ago we decided to expand the diversity of the crew to include women,” Travis Larson, Ice Operations Manager for the Wild, said.

 

“We were very thoughtful in our approach to introduce female skaters to our ice crew at Wild games,” John Maher, Vice President of Brand, Content and Communication, said. “With the growing number of girls and women playing hockey across Minnesota, we felt it was important to represent them in a respectful manner and highlight their skill, in hockey skates, right alongside their male counterparts. It is no surprise that they do an outstanding job and have become valued members of our ice operations team.”

 

Unlike other hockey markets, the women of the Wild Ice Crew represent more than just a promotional tool, they really do play a pivotal role in the overall operations of each and every Wild game. And all it takes is one pass by on the ice for fans to realize that these women are very comfortable in skates.

 

“As you can imagine, we look for strong skaters with a hockey background,” Larson said. “Members of our crew have to feel comfortable in a hockey environment and that means skating in front of 18,000 people.”

 

That is something that can make even the greatest of skaters nervous.

 

Just like any other role for the Wild franchise, ice operations positions are posted online for the public to apply.

 

“Potential candidates go through a panel of people who assess their general personality and make sure a candidate would be a good fit for the crew,” Larson said. “The second round of interviews involves some skating. Without ease and comfort on the ice, it would be very difficult to make the cut to become a member of the ice crew.”

 

Choosing women that have strong hockey backgrounds and serious skills in skates is one way to ensure that the Wild are honoring the role women play in the state of hockey. And although it is just a part-time job, members of the ice operations crew take their role seriously, a role that has some seriously cool perks, like getting paid to attend every home Wild game.

 

“Members of our crews are hired until they choose not to come back,” Larson said. “In over 15 years, we have only seen a couple people go, most due to a move or other unforeseen circumstances. It has become a great team and family and the women play a large role in that.”

 

If you think the women of the Wild Ice Crew are impressive on the ice, just wait until you hear what they do off the ice. Their “day jobs” include a dermatologist, a teacher, a full-time student and even a parent, among many others. They spend their “free time” coaching and volunteering and giving back to the hockey community. Following is a snapshot of a few of the women on the crew:

 

Kaitlyn Gherity

This Apple Valley graduate has been a member of the ice crew for three years.

 

“I saw the position posted online a few years ago and knew it would be a great opportunity to stay involved in the game.”

 

Gherity played four years of high school hockey for Apple Valley before traveling to the University of Colorado, where she played on the club team for two years. This expo manager for a technology company says that the schedule works well for her.

 

“Because there are only nine or 10 people needed per game, you can schedule yourself in for the games that you know will work for you. It is pretty flexible.”

 

The mutual love of the game is something Gherity says provides common ground for the ice crew.

 

“I have met some of my best friends through this ice crew and we all get along really well on and off the ice.”

 

Victoria Nelson

Introduced to the ice crew by her friend Gherity, Nelson knew immediately that the part-time position was something she would be interested in.

 

“I am in my second season on the crew and it has really helped fill the void you get after you stop playing the game competitively.”

 

Also an Apple Valley graduate, Nelson went on to play four years of club hockey at the University of Minnesota and has coached Apple Valley 14U and volunteered with Minnesota Special Hockey.

 

“As a full-time student, this is probably the only part-time job that would really work for my schedule. We get there an hour and a half before games and leave shortly after the game wraps up, which still allows me plenty of studying time.”

 

This graduate student studying chiropractic says she also enjoys working alongside the men on the team.

 

“The full-time guys on the crew were an especially big help when I was first learning the ropes and getting over the nerves of skating in front of the crowds.”

 

Margaret Campbell

Now in her seventh season on the ice crew, Campbell is a seasoned professional.

 

“I started skating at age two and have loved the Wild since the very beginning. The opportunity to work in a fun environment with such great people has kept me coming back.”

 

A Wayzata High School graduate and former University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire hockey captain stays busy off the ice, too, working full-time as a business analyst and raising her four-year old son.

 

“It takes a bit of planning, but when you can set your schedule ahead of time, finding babysitters is not much of a problem”

 

Even with seven years under her belt, Campbell admits that the crowds can still be a little intimidating,

 

“It is nerve-wracking skating in front of 18,000 people, especially for the big games. I have gotten used to it over the seasons, but I still get those excited jitters every now and then!”

 

 

Top photo - Front row (l-r): Alex Clark, Kaitlyn Gherity, Mallory Kurtz, Martina Korinek, Melissa Mueller. Back row (l-r): Kristen Anderson, Margaret Campbell, Alli Rhody, Victoria Nelson, Franny Dorr, Beth Benjamin, Danielle Denucci. Not pictured: Katie Bowdish. Photo: Greg Gibson