“You play like a girl” has always had a negative connotation toward women athletes who don’t receive the credit they deserve. But in the case of Northern Colorado Youth Hockey’s Junior Eagles, playing like a girl is considered a compliment.  

The NCYH U-19 Girls Hockey League, currently consisting of 15 players, competes in the Mountain State Girls Hockey League that combines both competitive and recreational aspects of the sport.

NCYH teams are based out of Larimer County, but travel to compete when necessary. “Currently, there aren't enough girls in this area to allow us to have an in house girls program, so we need to travel to play other teams,” co-coach Ralf Leidner said.

Although coming off a no-win season last year, both the players and coaches remain optimistic about their current season. “We’re not allowed to talk about last year,” player Cassie Rowten said, “but I can tell you that this season is a heck of a lot better.”

Rowten wasn’t kidding.

The Junior Eagles swept Denver rival team Colorado Select 4-0 in their season opener on October 11. With practice three times a week and dry land conditioning two times a week, the team has built themselves to be a solid program.

An aspect that has helped the team collaborate is the fact that coaches, Ralf and Ingrid Leidner, are former hockey players out of New York – and they’re married. “We met playing hockey, and hockey is one of the things we enjoy doing together, so it seems natural to coach together as well,” Ralf said, “I think it is beneficial for the girls too, since we have a good relationship and different perspectives to offer.”

The girls’ team ranges from ages 13 to 19, but you wouldn’t be able to tell the age gap as a spectator. The Junior Eagles demonstrate an inspiring sense of camaraderie, showing more concern about the team’s collective effort than their own. “I like how it’s more of a group effort than focused on one individual,” Rowten said.

Games consist of three, 12-minutes periods and penalty times remain at the standard two minutes for minor infractions. The girls compete only against other female teams and although checking is not allowed in the league, body contact is.

Perhaps the most inspiring element of the Junior Eagles girls’ team is their desire to break gender boundaries in the sport of hockey. “I think girls can do anything guys can do,” 14-year old Rowten said, who began in-line skating six years ago. “I think you have to work harder to earn the respect,” co-coach Ingrid Leidner added.

Although the minority in the hockey world, the girls’ team blends together well in spite of the diversity they bring, and they put on an impressive show. “I love when you have a good team that flows together,” player Jessica Lambert said.

Most importantly, these girls are skating because they love the sport of hockey – and it has begun to shine through in the team’s performance, along with the help of two passionate hockey-fanatic coaches.

“The girls are an amazing and diverse group,” Ralf said, “and it would be difficult to find a more enthusiastic group of athletes anywhere.”