Celebrating 30 Years of the Icebreakers
Flashing ice skate blades, colorful jerseys, cheering fans and exciting games are all part of the Duluth Girls’ Hockey Association (DGHA) scene. The 2024-2025 season is the 30th Anniversary of the Association as an organized all-girls hockey program.
The aptly named Icebreakers, as their teams are called, have definitively dispelled the notion that hockey is just for boys. For this season, they have more than 100 girls playing on DGHA teams.
The DGHA will host several celebratory and fundraising events throughout the season, including their 2025 Aspirus St. Luke’s Icebreaker Tournament taking place Jan. 10-12.
They anticipate 70 teams and more than 1,000 participants at 10 rinks for their 29th annual tournament, making it one of the largest tournaments in the Midwest.
As another part of their anniversary celebration, they added a display case of DGHA memorabilia at the Heritage Center.
From Neighborhood Rinks to Organized Teams
Many girls start playing hockey as young as ages 4 and 5 on the local Duluth neighborhood rinks, including Congdon, Duluth Heights, Gary Morgan Park, Glen Avon, Piedmont, Portman and Woodland, where they can practice, have skills sessions and participate in scrimmage events.
The DGHA welcomes all girls who are interested in playing hockey, regardless of their skill level, starting in 2nd and 3rd grades and going up to 9th and 10th graders. The teams are determined by age and birthdates and include their designations: 15U A, 15U B, 12U A, 12U B, 10U A, 10U B Black, 10U B Red, 8U Black and 8U Red.
Coaches come from the ranks of former Icebreaker players, area college hockey students and players, and parents, many of whom played college and other levels of semi-pro and even professional hockey.
The DAHA (Duluth Amateur Hockey Association) is the parent organization to all of Duluth’s 11 sub-associations, including the DGHA. It is the only association in Duluth recognized and registered with USA and Minnesota Hockey.
The Icebreaker teams practice and play at several indoor rinks, including the Heritage Center, Superior’s Wessman Arena, Amsoil and Fryberger. One of the biggest challenges for the organization is finding ice. An issue is that one of their primary sites, Fryberger, is old and in much need of repairs and even replacement.
DGHA Mission
According to their website, the DGHA provides “an enjoyable and competitive all-girls youth hockey program that offers a high level of personal development, both on and off the ice, giving girls the skills, knowledge, self-confidence and appreciation of commitment to be successful in life’s future endeavors. The DGHA believes in developing hockey opportunities for all girls in the area.”
In addition, their success is derived “from the hard work and commitment given by its players, volunteers, and coaches. While nurturing an atmosphere of fun and recreation, [they] also try to provide the opportunity for achievement and a higher level of play for those who desire it. By participating in hockey, [they] believe that girls have an opportunity to become better stewards of their peers and society, while learning valuable lessons that they can apply later in life.”
DGHA Board President Judd Medak Wears Many Hats
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Judd Medak came to UMD to play hockey for the Bulldogs, He went on to play professional hockey with the East Coast Hockey League, and in brief stints with the American Hockey League and the British National League.
He also has been a UMD Men’s Hockey Color Commentator at KBJR-TV. Medak is currently coaching his daughter’s U12 team with Shawna Davidson and James Hoppe.
As the DGHA Board Chair, Medak explained that the board is made up of parents, coaches and community members. The board meets monthly, and all DGHA members are welcome to attend meetings. They also appreciate new volunteers for the board, as openings develop.
“I am proud of our hard-working staff, dedicated parents and coaches, many of whom are parents of girls on our various teams, Medak said. “I am also proud that the Icebreakers are city-wide. Each team has players from all different neighborhoods playing together. It is not divided as east or west and they all wear the same jersey.”
He stated, “Aside from all the lessons that one can learn from playing sports,
I am proud to see the girls develop as players, but seeing them become successful and strong young women is even more important.”
Leadership From Master Coach Shawna Davidson
From DGHA’s early beginnings, Shawna Davidson has been an instrumental part of making the organization work. Dedicating her life to hockey, she brings to the table more than 30 years of women’s hockey experience, including playing for the Women’s NCAA University of New Hampshire team, Team USA, World Tournament hockey teams and being a finalist for the 1998 U.S. Women’s Hockey Team.
In addition to her own of playing, she has coached and worked for a variety of organizations including the UMD Bulldogs Women’s team, USA development camps, Marshall, U.S. Women’s Sled Hockey Team, and as an athletic trainer for the College of St. Scholastica. She has also served as a scout in various capacities for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Shortly after her New Hampshire collegiate playing career ended, Davidson came on board with the Icebreakers 15U girls’ team in 1995-1996. That team won the Minnesota State Hockey Championship and competed at the national tournament. She is currently the Head Coach of the DGHA 12 U team.
As a significant force in the organization’s development and history, her voice has been an important one, contributing to the growth of the DGHA through the decades.
“Staying involved with youth hockey keeps me at my best, out skating, and helping to be a role model for female athletes.” She stated, “I have always felt that it is important that we teach them not only to be good hockey players, but even more importantly good human beings.”
“Hockey has been so good to me,” she added. “It has naturally evolved with so many experiences that have kept me involved in the sport. Being from Duluth and coming back and helping to develop the sport for young women and to mentor new coaches have been so important to me.”
A Happy Hockey Family
From late August to April, the Hoppe family spends a good share of their time consumed with all things hockey.
James Hoppe grew up playing hockey in Michigan and then at Northland College in Ashland. He has served as an assistant coach for the Icebreakers 12 U A team and as the DGHA media communications person and secretary.
His wife, Dr. Susan Hoppe, is an athletic trainer for the UMD Bulldogs and the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance (men’s and women’s hockey).
Their daughters Addy and Emma both play on Icebreaker teams. Along the way from the time they were young, James has coached them. “With the family loving the sport, and my wife’s job, the girls have grown up at Amsoil,” he said.
“I have really loved working with the DGHA, coaching and spending time with my daughters, involved with a sport that is so much a part of our lives,” James said.
Mother and Daughter Goalies
Anja Morris played on high school teams as a goalie for Proctor/Hermantown, Marshall, and in college for UMD Bulldog Women’s hockey. Her daughter Lyyli started playing hockey at age 5 when she was in kindergarten. She now plays on the Icebreakers 10 U team, where Anya is one of her coaches,
Morris explained that Lyyli was hesitant at first to play goalie. “Now I really see a spark in her and how much she loves playing in her position. I see the girls on the team gaining a sense of community, working to make everyone feel involved and having a sense of belonging.
“I am glad to be involved with the Icebreakers’ teams and see my daughter happy to play. And she also enjoys having me as one of her coaches.”
Icebreaker and High School Hockey Heritage
Anne Gorham started playing hockey at the Congdon outdoor rink as a young girl. “I fell in love with hockey but at the time there were no girls’ programs,” she said.
She related that when she was in 5th grade, she got a flyer at school about a new organization called Icebreakers. “I remember bringing home the flyer and telling my mother, ‘I’m doing this.’ We signed up, I started playing and I didn’t look back.”
She went on to play with other teams including Duluth high school teams. After high school, she played college hockey for Gustavus and then Bethel College.
Gorham’s daughter Signe played at Portman and Lakeside when she was younger. She also played for the Icebreakers U12 and U15. Anne helped on ice during Signe’s U12 years.
Signe, now a sophomore, plays for the Duluth Northern Stars (the combined Duluth East and Duluth Denfeld girls’ high school hockey team). Anne and Signe are the first mother-daughter to play hockey for the Duluth Public Schools that they know of, according to Anne.
“I was thrilled for her to find friends for life in hockey, giving her a chance to be part of the Duluth culture,” said Gorham,
“For Love of the Game”
In honor of the DGHA 30th Anniversary, John Paulson wrote an article called “For Love of the Game” (9/06/24) posted on the DGHA website.
With quotes from several of the people who have been significant to the organization, Paulson wrote about how everyone, present and past players, coaches, parents and more have appreciated what the DGHA has meant to girls’ hockey. (All quotes and quoted material from this section used with permission from the author.)
Anita Stech
Considered the founder and godmother of the DGHA, Anita Stech said, “Some people today don’t know there was a time when there wasn’t girls’ hockey.”
Growing up, she loved hockey and was a big fan of the Duluth Cathedral boys’ high school hockey team, having graduated from the school in 1967.
Her love of hockey continued to grow as she was able to eventually play on a club hockey team in the Twin Cities. “I was the worst player on the ice, but the happiest!” she said.
After returning to live in Duluth, one day her then 1st grade daughter came home from school and announced to Anita, “You have to say Yes to what is in my backpack.”
It was a flyer that advertised Glen Avon hockey registration. Anita jumped at the chance and contacted the rink and confirmed that girls were able to join. Thus, began Stech’s journey of involvement with the Duluth youth hockey program.
She began to see there were more girls at other rinks in town. She thought it would be great to have all the girls come together for an event with the UMD ladies’ club hockey team to build a community of girls and women supporting each other’s interest in the sport.
Meanwhile across town, Tom Richards was co-coaching an informal co-ed hockey team at Lafayette Square Park (on Park Point) in 1993-1994. One of
the team members asked him about the possibility of organizing an all-girls’ team. He connected with Anita Stech and the two of them started the ball rolling that eventually resulted in the formation of the DGHA.
Laura Bellamy
Laura Bellamy, Head Coach for Harvard University’s Women’s Hockey, said, “I am incredibly proud to call myself a former Duluth Icebreaker. And what I am keenly aware of now is just how fortunate I was to be able to play on an all-girls’ team at a young age and have role models locally at the high school and college levels. That combination was extremely special. Playing for the Icebreakers is what inspired me to play collegiately and, ultimately, become a college coach.”
Ali Randall
A former Duluth Icebreaker Coach, and now Head Coach for the high school team, the Duluth Northern Stars, Ali Randall, explained, “As a Duluth High School Coach, it’s not surprising that many of the experiences that shaped our student athletes’ confidence and love for the game occurred while wearing an Icebreaker jersey.”
Jessie Paulson
Duluth Northern Star High School Hockey Player Jessie Paulson believes the Duluth Icebreaker Program created a welcoming environment that helped form her as a person and is an exciting sports opportunity that she wishes all girls in Duluth would experience some day:
“I learned a lot more than just hockey. I learned how to be a better friend and have a better mindset, and that gave me more confidence to do what I wanted to do on and off the ice. I’m forever grateful for Icebreakers.”
“Looking back, my time with the Icebreakers was a very beautiful thing – and to see I had such a great group of girls who I grew up with from 8Us to 15Us, creating lifelong friendships and memories. I’ll carry that with me forever.”
Judd Medak
“For 30 years, the Duluth Icebreakers Girls’ Hockey Association has provided an enjoyable, nurturing and competitive hockey experience for thousands of girls across the city of Duluth. Not only have we provided a high level of competition and platform for those girls wanting to play hockey at a higher level, but more importantly, we have fostered an environment for personal development, both on and off the ice, giving girls the skills, knowledge, self-confidence and appreciation of commitment to be successful in life’s future endeavors outside of the game of hockey.”
He concluded, “Girls’ participation numbers continue to grow both nationally and locally and the Duluth icebreakers are committed to the continued success of our girls now and for many more years to come. None of this would be possible without our incredible parents, players and community members who have given so much time and energy to our program.”
Duluth Girls Hockey Association
P.O. Box 16443
Duluth, MN 55816-0443
Monday- Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (or by appointment)
duluthgirlshockey@gmail.com
Duluth Amateur Hockey Association
218-728- 8000
DuluthAmateurHockey@gmail.com
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Following the lead of USA Hockey and the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association, the Duluth Girls Hockey Association is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all by building a diverse, equitable and inclusive game. We are also committed to raising awareness of the history and future of girls sports, which enriches the lives of our players, families and community.
We celebrate every race, gender and background to unite as one community.
We believe meaningful action can positively affect important change in our sport and carry into our everyday lives.
Sheryl Jensen is a freelance writer, editor and reviewer based in Duluth.
