Since 1994, close to two dozen players from the area -- who got their start with the Duluth Girls Amateur Hockey Association -- have gone on to play at the collegiate level.
Alumna Laura Bellamy, senior goalie for the Duluth Northern Stars, recently committed to play hockey at Harvard. She was also a finalist for the 2008 Wendy's High School Heisman award.
Even more have enjoyed the chance to play the sport they love.
This weekend, arenas in Duluth, Superior, Proctor and Two Harbors will be packed with local girls' hockey fans for St. Luke's annual Duluth Icebreaker Invitational girls hockey tournament (held Jan. 9-11).
A total of 71 teams will be participating in classes 14 and under, 12U and 10U; the Northland will be represented in all of the brackets. It is estimated the event will bring in about 2,000 people who will spend money at local hotels, eateries and other Northland offerings.
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The purpose of the tournament is to promote girls hockey throughout the area, said 14U coach Shawna Davidson.
"It's a celebration of girls and women's hockey in the area," she said.
Davidson added that the tournament, along with other hockey action in the area, will show girls hockey players where the sport can take them.
None of this would be happening without the DGAHA.
Anita Stech, one of its founders, said a main reason for the creation of the DGAHA was because a lot of girls were playing on boys teams.
"We wanted them to have the same opportunity," Stech said. "[Girls hockey] is a different game."
About 50 players are currently involved with the league, including the teams mentioned above, plus an 8U pilot team.
With all of these players, will the Northland have powerhouse teams in the future?
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"Girls hockey is definitely gaining interest," said Marcie Konowalchuk, president of the DGAHA, adding that this is thanks in part to the success of the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team.
UMD isn't the only local girls hockey team to win some titles. The DGAHA has won two state championships in its history.
Everyone involved with the DGAHA is a volunteer.
If you are concerned about the cost of hockey for yourself or daughter, the DGAHA will help.
The St. Luke's Duluth Icebreaker Invitational will not be the only girls hockey action in the area this weekend.
The UMD Bulldogs women's team will battle Wisconsin at 7:07 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, and 3:07 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at the DECC. The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Badgers in the national championship game last year.
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For more information, visit www.duluthgirlshockey.org .
