Editor's note: Corrects information regarding where to vote for the Grand Forks girls.
Female hockey players in Grand Forks need the help of the community to win a contest put on by Olympic medal-winning hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser.
As part of Wickenheiser’s “Why Girls’ Hockey Rocks in Your Community” contest, girls from the Grand Forks Minor Hockey Association have created a YouTube video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhywOzvZ5-E) and need people to like it and share via social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
They can vote for the girls by clicking “Like” or “Send” on Wickenheiser's website: www.hayleywickenheiser.com/pages/grand-forks-british-columbia.
“The girls filmed a video to have the chance for Hayley Wickenheiser to come to Grand Forks and give a presentation and they’re basically showing that girls’ hockey in the community rocks,” explained Sarah Kientz, treasurer for the Grand Forks Minor Hockey Association and the lead person on the project, who came up with the video concept.
“It’s a great program in the community and the girls love it. (Girls’ hockey) is great for making new friends, team building and building confidence and being in a small community, it’s a great activity.”
The girls were aware that hockey is beneficial in a number of ways.
“It’s fun, we get to learn a lot of things; how to become a better person and working with people and you get to make a lot of new friends,” explained Hanna Kiselbach.
“You get to meet a bunch of new friends and get to have a lot of exercise and just have a lot of fun,” said Brittney Konkin.
“I love playing hockey,” said Emily Jourdin. “It’s really fun, especially when you get to try and score and you get to meet lots of new people.”
The contest runs until midnight on Tuesday, July 31 and while there is still a lot of time, the girls would love if Wickenheiser came to the city.
“I’d tell her she’s my hero,” said Lydia MacLellan when asked what she would say to Wickenheiser if Grand Forks was selected.
“I would be really, really psyched about it,” Kiselbach said. “It would be really cool to meet a gold medalist in Grand Forks. I think it would definitely be good for girls to see professionals that worked their whole life to get to the Olympics and she has gold medals.”
“I think they would be ecstatic (Grand Forks was selected),” Kientz said. “I think she’s definitely an idol and to meet her in a small town like Grand Forks, I think would be amazing.”
Again, residents have until midnight Tuesday, July 31 to “Like” and share the video and the entry with the most “Likes” will win.