GILBERTSVILLE, PA – Young hockey fans in the community will soon have a chance to learn the game in a fun and welcoming environment as the Flyers Learn to Play Ball Hockey Program returns to New Hanover Township this spring.

The program, hosted for the second time by the nonprofit Pick Up Sticks Hockey (PUSH), will take place on Mondays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. from April 13 through May 18, 2026 at the township’s outdoor rink — a facility that gained attention after a duo of determined young girls helped rally community support to save it. The Rink at Community Park is located within New Hanover Community Park, 2798 Gail Drive, Gilbertsville, PA 19525.

Natalie Van Druff, left, (then 13) and Lilly Walter, right, (then 12) stand with former Philadelphia Flyer Todd Fedoruk at the 2025 Flyers Learn to Play in New Hanover Township, PA.

“Last year, our first Flyers Learn to Play program welcomed 48 enthusiastic boys and girls to discover hockey for the first time,” said Kate Van Druff, President and founding member of Pick Up Sticks Hockey Inc (PUSH).

“With the incredible Olympic gold medal victories by both the U.S. Women’s and Men’s teams, the excitement around hockey is soaring, and we expect even more young players to join us this year!” she said. “It is especially meaningful to host this program at the very rink that our girls saved with the Flyers.”

Designed for children ages 3–9, the program introduces participants to the fundamentals of ball hockey while encouraging teamwork, confidence, and a love of the game. What’s beautiful is that some of the coaches are actually elite ball hockey players who have grown up playing here in our community.

Registration for the program is $35 per player, and each child will receive a Flyers-branded ball hockey stick, a reversible Flyers pinny, and a Flyers ball to use during the program and keep afterward.

“We are excited to share this opportunity in the greater New Hanover community, as there are limited opportunities for young kiddos to try ball hockey in this low-pressure environment,” said Liz Crouthamel, Co-Vice President of PUSH and Director of Women’s Development with USA Ball Hockey. “It’s surreal we get to continue to partner with the Flyers via the Learn to Play program, and how special for these kiddos to wear the Flyers logo on their equipment!”

“We are aiming to enrich these kiddos with skills they can use on and off the hockey rink, building confidence and camaraderie, and staying true to this grassroots movement message: every body can play hockey!”

PUSH organizers say the program focuses on making hockey accessible and affordable for families while helping grow the sport at the grassroots level. This Flyers Learn to Play series is one of numerous programs the organization plans to host this year.

Adding to the excitement, Flyers alumni and special guests are expected to make appearances during the program, giving young players a chance to meet hockey legends and share the rink with members of the Flyers family. Last year players got to meet Flyers veterans Chris Therien, Riley Cote, and Todd Fedoruk.

Sessions will focus on fundamental skills such as stickhandling, passing, shooting, and teamwork in a fun, age-appropriate setting. No prior hockey experience is required.

The program also celebrates the community spirit that preserved the rink and ensures that local children will continue to have a place to play, learn, and grow through sports.

Parents can register their players at https://philadelphiaflyers.leagueapps.com/events/4918786-monday-at-515-pm-ages-4-9.

For any questions, please reach out to Pick Up Sticks Hockey at pickupstickshockey@gmail.com.

Summary: The Flyers Learn to Play Ball Hockey Program will return to New Hanover Township this April, offering children ages 3–9 an affordable introduction to hockey at The Rink at Community Park in Gilbertsville, PA. Hosted by the nonprofit Pick Up Sticks Hockey (PUSH), the six-week program runs Mondays from April 13 through May 18 from 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. and includes Flyers-branded items for each participant. Flyers alumni and special guests are also expected to make appearances, bringing added excitement to the community rink that was famously saved by two determined young girls.

We had about a month to plan this first tourney, and our core team collaborated like champs and made it happen. Actually pretty impressed we could get 4 teams in such a short time!

Please consider taking our survey about the tournament if you played and haven’t already!

1-min Tourney Survey!!

As a nod to the original ladies pickup hockey group, decided to host our first tournament for women and girls. The inception of our ladies pickup group pretty much served as a catalyst to the entire New Hanover Hockey Dek journey and transformation. You can read about the entire story of the New Hanover Hockey Dek revitalization on our blog at PickUpSticksHockey.com.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

One of my favorite memories of this awesome hockey day is how we had team USA women and elite hockey players playing and coaching alongside moms of hockey players, daughters of hockey players, and players of all skill levels. It truly was a beautiful experience to behold.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

We had a 7-year-old step out onto the dek for the first time with her elite mama. We had moms who played because of their kids, and kids who played because of their moms. And we had hockey girlfriends, truly skilled players coming out of retirement, longtime players living the dream, and brand new players getting a taste of that amazing hockey energy.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

An Impressive Turnout

We had 43 players across 4 teams, Purple, Orange, Black, and White. Teams were drafted as evenly as possible, although some last-minute dropouts / no-shows and late adds did affect the final rosters. Still, we fully understood everyone’s other obligations and were so grateful to all who were able to join us. And for the others, we hope they can make it next time!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Teams picked their own names on the day of the tournament. We had:

Gritty’s Girls - Orange

Photo by Matt Brown, Jr.

Purple Vampires

Photo by Matt Brown, Jr.

Black Ninjas

Photo by Matt Brown, Jr.

NHT WhiteHawks

Photo by Matt Brown, Jr.

Throughout the day, we did have a few players head home, including two from the orange team. One would think that would leave the Gritty’s Girls with a disadvantage as an underdog, but you’d never know it.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

First Official Goal

Delaynie Coccia on the Orange Team - Gritty’s Girls - scored the FIRST OFFICIAL GOAL on the new rink. Way to Go Delaynie!!! So proud of you - your story is written in the history of The Rink at Community Park forever!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Photo by Kate Van Druff

3OT Tournament Champions - Gritty’s Girls

The Orange Team, donning the colors of our rink’s incredible sponsor - Flyers Charities and the Philadelphia Flyers - took home the championship after battling into Triple Overtime. They bested the diminishing bench of the White Hawks, who forcefully held their own after losing their Team USA standout Kat Helling in earlier OT.

As fate would have it, Liz Crouthamel finally scored the championship game winner in the third overtime, assisted by Delaynie Coccia. The look of pure joy on Liz’s face as she rushed to her daughter Penny and team was fully worth losing the championship after playing nearly 5 full periods of hockey during the hottest part of the day.

I’m just saying. This kind of moment is exactly why we do these hockey things we do!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Despite the 3OT taking its toll on the players energy reserves and hydration, the weather truly could not have been more perfect! Nor could the day. I will forever replay parts of this incredible day in my memories.

Gritty’s Girls for the Win!!

By the third overtime, some of us were wishing we’d drafted the tournament rules a bit differently. I don’t think anyone saw 3OT coming when we went with “Championship Tie - Add’l 10 minute periods until winner.” 🤣

But come on, I mean, who really likes to end a hockey game in a shootout?! So we didn’t!

(Sidebar - I love tracking my hockey games on my watch - this is probably an all-time high step count for a hockey day!!!)

Photo by Kate Van Druff

When the NHT WhiteHawks lost Team USA’s Kat Helling to a schedule conflict late in OT, energy reserves were already running low for most players. No one really expected the championship to go into triple OT, but both teams battled with heart and good sportsmanship.

The white team’s Rachael GoPro Kelly went into beast mode to backfill for Kat, double and triple shifting to help fend off fierce competition from Gritty’s Girls. Unfortunately for the White Hawks, luck would run out and Gritty’s Girls would take the crown.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Players of the game included Rachael Go Pro Kelly as MVP of the NHT WhiteHawks, Penny Crouthamel as MVP of Gritty’s Girls, and Felicia Fry as MVG - Most Valuable Goalie.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

That being said, ALL the players of all ages and abilities played their hearts out and exhibited so much positivity and support for teammates and opponents alike. This tournament was a beautiful exercise in Growing the Game!!!

Video by Kate Van Druff

Fun Extras at the All Women’s & Girls’ Ball Hockey Tournament

Besides the fun of the free kids’ hockey clinic and the tournament itself, we did our best to include lots of fun surprises for players and their families.

One of my personal favorite extras - let’s take a moment to celebrate the lighthearted humor in this one. So punny!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Our Pickle Bar was a huge hit and we almost ran out of pickles by the end of the day. Looks like the Pickle Bar will be making a comeback at future tournaments!

What a great in-between games snack! With the weather being absolutely gorgeous and the crazy long 3OT in the championship, hydration is key.

We also found the hockey bracelet station to be a hit. Olivia wasn’t able to play due to a wrist injury the night before, but she had a blast making custom hockey bracelets with beads, charms and hockey numbers!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

We’ll look to bring this one back next time too!

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

We had an incredible amount of support from local businesses to make this day extra special for our players.

Photo by Matt Brown, Jr.

We are so grateful for the generous donations:

Player Shirts sponsored by Play It Again Sports Berwyn & SB Designs

Photo by Sara Beaver / SB Designs

Bottled Water, sponsored by Pottstown Grocery Outlet, Freed’s Market, and Redner’s Market

Good’s Potato Chips from Bob’s Bread Barn

Bananas, a personal donation from David at Produce Junction

Ice Cream Sandwiches from Dairy Queen in Gilbertsville

Pizza from The Pourhouse

Gift Cards to purchase remaining items by Giant and Weis (Clementines, Pickles, Paper Plates)

Goodie bags and goodie bag items for the players (anonymous)

Xeno Pucks off-ice training pucks for special recognition

Truly beyond excited to finally have a scoreboard!!! The scoreboard and power station were donated in combination by Dave D’Imperio, Jr., Natalie and Olivia’s grandfather and special anonymous donors, along with some funding raised at the grand opening.

Thanks also to our photographer, Matt Brown, Jr. for photographing our events!

Thank you, everyone, for your incredibly kind and generous support! We TRULY appreciate you!

Gratitude for Our Partners

We are so thankful to our friends at Jesters Travel Ball Hockey for volunteering to ref our games! I don’t think they anticipated it going into 3OT anymore than we did! I know some of the White Hawks team was open to moving to a shootout!

Photo by Heather Walter

Beyond the tournament, we are also incredibly grateful to our friends at Boyertown Ice Hockey Club for partnering up and running the Kids Try Hockey Free clinic in the morning before our tournament kicked off.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

We had at least 26 - 30 players come out for this event and about 60% were brand-new to hockey!! LET’S GO!!!!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Big thanks to New Hanover Township Public Works for picking up and transporting the bleachers so fans would have a place to sit. Thanks also to Ben for hooking this up, and to Kim and Steve for their generous donation of the bleachers.

We are also so very grateful to Jamie and the township for allowing us to use the rink on such short notice to mark this incredibly special anniversary of the start of our journey to what the rink is today.

Incredible thanks to our tournament directors for all the collaboration to make this event a success! Thanks to Rachel Martz, Heather Walter, Liz Crouthamel, Katie Christ, Maura Shuttleworth, and Kate Van Druff, as well as Natalie Van Druff, Junior Tournament Director.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Everything went so well from our perspective! We do have a survey open - If you played in this tournament, please take our 1 minute to provide feedback so we can do even better next time!

Please take our Survey!

The event was so successful that we look forward to hosting it again next year!

In fact, we are hopeful to host a coed event as well and would be glad to have a few different tournaments each year to look forward to hosting.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Upcoming Hockey Events

Be sure to stay tuned to our Pick Up Sticks Hockey Calendar so you never miss a fun hockey event in our area!

By the way - we are writing a book! We’d LOVE to include a quote or comment from your perspective on the whole journey of saving the dek and building a beautiful, brand-new one with Flyers Charities, the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, and New Hanover Township!

Please contribute a comment or two to help make our book extra special! We hope to inspire others to stand up and make a difference in their communities!

Send us a Quote / Comment for our Book!

You should also subscribe to our Substack as this is also our email newsletter!

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Join us for our Ghosts and Goals Halloween event at New Hanover Community Park (The Rink at New Hanover) off of Gail Drive in Gilbertsville, PA on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome!!

Bring a Friend!

Bring your hockey mom or hockey dad! Bring your neighbors or your coworkers and their kids! All ages, all abilities, no experience necessary - just come on out and try hockey for free and see what you think!

And for our more experienced crowd, we will be breaking into groups so you’ll still have a blast without getting bored on the basics!

Halloween Hockey Stations

Here are some of the fun Halloween Hockey Stations we are planning to run. (You know we love a good pun - may have had a little too much fun with this!!!)

Please Register - It’s Fast and FREE!

Please fill out our FAST and FREE Registration form so we can plan ahead to break into groups and also so we can make sure we have enough goodies!

Registration form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnw0Bqy-OYb0Xi1ecrok5pkSNT4zQrUxeuXUGjjG4Xy8VV2g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Here you’ll get to know some of the Jesters Ball Hockey coaches and players, along with friends of all ages from our pick up hockey community.

This event is free and we look forward to getting sticks in hands!

Stick Together - We Have Hockey Sticks You Can Borrow!

We have righty, lefty, and straight sticks to borrow - so even if you’re new to hockey, sign up and we will hook you up for the day!

Bring Gear. Wear Your Sneakers!

If you do have gear, please bring it, along with your water bottle. This is a dek hockey event (sneakers, no skates). Skating is not required.

If you don’t have gear for the pick up portion, reach out to us and we will do our best to find a helmet to loan you! Or some shin pads and gloves!

Candy, Snacks, & More…

We’re planning on having some snacks and candy and bottled water, so please do register so we can make sure we have enough available!

We had so much fun playing Halloween pick up hockey last year that we’ve decided to do it up even better this year. We hope you will join us!

If you’re interested in more, you can check out our post about Halloween Hockey Drills and Skills on our website, www.pickupstickshockey.com.

Gilbertsville middle schoolers Natalie Van Druff and Lilly Walter may be in back-to-school mode, but hockey mode is still going strong. After saving their crumbling dek hockey rink and rebuilding it with the help of Flyers Charities, New Hanover Township, and the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, the girls are already onto their next projects - a Free Kids’ Ball Hockey Clinic and their first-ever Women’s and Girls’ Ball Hockey Tournament, both on October 5, 2024. 

Photo by Steve Ladner

“We loved working with the Flyers Charities and all the great people we encountered on our journey,” said Natalie Van Druff, 12. “It’s been a dream come true! We can’t wait for all the amazing things to come with this rink. We are so excited to get sticks in hands and grow the game!” 

Free Kids’ Ball Hockey Clinic

The Free Kids’ Ball Hockey Clinic, hosted by Boyertown Ice Hockey Club in partnership with Pick Up Sticks Hockey, takes place at The Rink at New Hanover Community Park (2798 Gail Drive, Gilbertsville, PA 19525) on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. No skating is required - kids can simply wear their sneakers and Pre-Registration is encouraged. Hockey sticks are available to borrow. Preschool, elementary, and middle school aged boys and girls are all invited to come out and see how they like hockey!

Kids of all ages enjoy trying hockey at the rink’s grand opening!
Photo by Steve Caplan - Caplan with A C Photography

This is an introductory ball hockey clinic designed to introduce players to the fundamentals of hockey. Even if they’ve never held a hockey stick, kids can come try hockey in a fun and supportive, no-pressure setting. 

“Natalie and Lilly are both members of the Boyertown Ice Hockey Family and we are so very proud of the hard work, dedication and leadership they have displayed right here within our community,” said Justin Remick, President of Boyertown Ice Hockey. “It is our mission to make hockey more accessible and affordable to children of all ages and together with Pick Up Sticks Hockey we are excited to offer the first of many opportunities for young athletes to fall in love with this great sport.”

Free Ball Hockey Clinic Registration Form

Free Kids’ Ball Hockey Clinic Event link on Facebook 

Women’s and Girls’ Ball Hockey Tournament Event link on Facebook 

Women’s & Girls’ Tournament Registration Form

All Women’s & Girls’ Ball Hockey Tournament

Next, the Women’s and Girls’ Ball Hockey Tournament faces off at 10 a.m. at The Rink at Community Park on October 5, 2024, following the hockey clinic. This event anticipates a girls 14U division and a women’s 12+ division (with discretion for experienced young players age 12+). Registration is required and closes on October 1. The ball hockey tournament registration is $30 per player and $25 per New Hanover resident player, with a discount given the rink’s location in New Hanover Township. Proceeds benefit efforts to directly grow the game for this community.

Women’s & Girls’ Tournament Registration Form

Girls and women are encouraged to sign up for the tournament, even if they are brand new to the game. 

“Right now, we have mostly hockey moms, like me, who started playing because of their kids,” says Kate Van Druff, Natalie’s mom, who started playing ball hockey in 2023 after organizing pick up games for her daughter’s teams. “This is a great tournament for former field hockey players, ice hockey players, and any girls or women who just love hockey. We also have a few supportive, talented players who generously share their experience in the most positive and welcoming way.” 

Hockey mom & daughter duos Heather and Lilly Walter, left, and Kate and Natalie Van Druff, right, with coach and ref Tim Shaffer at center.

“The joy our family found in hockey and the camaraderie of our group is something I never knew I needed in my life, but once I found it, I knew other women could benefit from this amazing hockey energy as well! We are so excited to partner with Boyertown Ice Hockey in our shared vision to grow the game – not only for girls and women, but for everyone!”

Photo by Steve Caplan - Caplan with A C Photography

Sponsorship Opportunities: GROW THE GAME!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event, with needs for giveaways and player awards. Funds raised through the tournament benefit efforts to grow the game of hockey for the community, with a focus on attaining a shed for equipment storage, training equipment, and funding for future programming and instructional clinics to help break down barriers to hockey. 

Sponsorship Page on Pick Up Sticks Hockey Website

Through their nonprofit organization Pick Up Sticks Hockey, the girls are on a mission to grow the game of hockey. Lilly and Natalie want everyone to get a chance to experience the same joy they feel whenever they play their favorite sport. 

“Even if you don’t feel totally ready, we have lots of ways to get involved,” Van Druff says. “We’d love for you to come watch the tournament, check out the kids’ clinic, and join our local community pick up hockey groups or ladies’ pick up group for friendly open hockey for all ages.”

Photo by Caitlin Ferenchak

About Pick Up Sticks Hockey:

Pick Up Sticks Hockey is a grassroots hockey organization focused on growing the game. The group offers positive, supportive pick up hockey games and meetups, as well as instructional clinics, with a mission of breaking down barriers to get more sticks in hands! Pick Up Sticks Hockey is operating under the wing of a 501c3 organization, the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. For more information, visit www.pickupstickshockey.com.

About Boyertown Ice Hockey:

The Boyertown Ice Hockey Club is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization and is the scholastic hockey organization for the Boyertown Area School District in Boyertown, PA. Boyertown Ice Hockey offers programs for elementary, middle school, and high school varsity and junior varsity. For more information, visit http://www.boyertownhockey.com/. 

Hockey T-Shirt & Hoodie Sale to Grow the Game

Now that we have our beautiful hockey rink open and ready for play, we have some more big dreams for this amazing space!

We are working on getting a shed as well as extra helmets, pads, sticks, and equipment so anyone can play without a barrier to hockey!

We’d also like to host hockey clinics to introduce kids to the game with fun drills and instructors who know the game and make it fun!

Eventually, we would like to have some bleachers at the rink - we still need to talk to the township about this. For now, bring your lawn chairs!

Grow the Game Hockey Shirts

In tribute to our favorite hockey team, the Philadelphia Flyers, Natalie created a new shirt design - it’s an evolution of her earlier “Save the Love” design. This heart is orange like the Flyers and the heart ripples outward, spreading the love of hockey everywhere.

Buy a Hockey Shirt!

Two crossed hockey sticks in the faceoff position symbol togetherness and friendly, competitive spirit. The same stick is on the back of our shirts as part of the Pick Up Sticks Hockey PUSH logo.

The shirts are available in a wide array of colors, from traditional black, white, and orange to gray, blue, and even hot coral tank tops! You can also get hoodies!

Grow the Game Hockey Shirts

Halloween Hockey Shirts

Lilly created a very fun and exciting new shirt design for the season - a limited edition Halloween Hockey Shirt!

Lilly’s design features a very punny play on words - “Play Like a Ghoul” - with a skeleton getting ready to shoot a small jack o’lantern as a hockey ball on net.

The shirts are available in fun colors like bright green, purple, orange, and steely gray. You can get the limited edition Halloween shirts in traditional tee or a longsleeve t-shirt.

Buy a Halloween Hockey Shirt!

The girls hope this is only the beginning! They love creating things to celebrate hockey and hope it will also raise awareness of accessibility to the sport in our area.

Halloween Hockey Shirts

This is a flash sale - our hockey shirts are currently ONLY available through this fundraiser store by Lucky Squirrel. Our sale runs through September 2nd and shirts are ready 3 weeks after the sale completes.

Once shirts are ready, we can meet you if you’re local or if you plan to come to New Hanover Community Park for pick up. You can also choose Shipping if you’re further away or if that works better for you.

Some colors are already low in stock so be sure to check it out when you have a chance!

Our fundraiser store is located at: https://luckysquirrelpw.chipply.com/pickupstickshockey/store.aspx?eid=327557.

Note: If you see this post after the sale closes, you can still reach out to us in case we had any excess stock that we had to preorder to meet our minimums.

Photo by Kate Van Druff
Olivia, Lilly, and Natalie pose on the blacktop of the rink as it’s under construction in the summer of 2024. Check out their sweet Save the Love shirts!

More Hockey Merch

Nat and Lilly truly feel like hockey stuff should be everywhere! It’s a bummer when they want a keychain or something to show off their sport but they can only find it in baseball, football, basketball, and soccer. They are setting out to change this!

If you have ideas or want to collaborate with these two young hockey bosses, drop a comment or an email at pickupstickshockey@gmail.com.

Thanks for your support!

Photo by Kate Van Druff

When 11-year-olds Natalie and Lilly stood up to speak at their first township meeting - the Recreation meeting back on November 1, 2023 - I think it’s safe to say none of us ever imagined we would be standing on a beautiful, brand-new hockey dek in less than a year’s time. Like a dream, the stars aligned and we found ourselves surrounded by the best people and most amazing organizations.

And, on Monday, August 12, 2024, New Hanover Township hosted the biggest party Gilbertsville’s likely ever seen - the Grand Opening of The Rink at Community Park.

Photo by Caitlin Ferenchak

Here’s a quick glimpse of the fun, courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Video Credit: Philadelphia Flyers

Hockey Rink Grand Opening Festivities

Arriving at the park for the grand opening celebration, guests couldn’t miss the fun and festive hockey vibes of this momentous occasion.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Flyers Fan Heaven

Flyers inflatables of Gritty and a player towered over a sea of guests decked out in black and orange. Meanwhile, the unforgettable sight of the hockey dasher boards majestically peeked over the hillside next to the driving loop at the back of the park.

Photo by Caitlin Ferenchak

Hockey themed yard games gave the crowd something to do in the common area between the rink and the playground.

Just beyond the yard games, special guests made the event even more special. Flyers Alumni Brad Marsh, Bob Kelly, Chris Therien, Riley Cote, Terry Carkner and Doug Crossman mingled with guests and signed autographs, interacting with hockey fans of all ages.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Warm and friendly Flyers Ice Girls cheerleaders greeted guests at the entrance to the rink and smiled for pictures with fans.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Our dear friends Blair Listino, President of Flyers Charities and Flyers Alternate Governor, and Cindy Stutman, Executive Director of Flyers Charities joined us to unveil the beautiful, state-of-the-art rink in all its glory.

Opening Remarks & Official Puck Drop

It would be impossible to truly do justice to the beautiful words shared by these speakers. For now, we'll post a few pictures and update when the video is ready.

Photo by Steve Caplan 

Speakers included:

Marie Livelsberger, New Hanover Township Board Chair  

Jamila Winder, Montgomery County Board Chair, Neil Makhija, Montgomery County Vice Chair, Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner

Donna Scheuren, Pennsylvania State Representative (147th District)  

Blair Listino, President of Flyers Charities and Flyers Alternate Governor

Natalie Van Druff and Lilly Walter

Marie Livelsberger, New Hanover Township Board Chair  

Photo by Steve Caplan

We will soon post a video with some highlights from the speeches!

Photo by Steve Caplan

Like a true hockey grand opening should be - instead of giant scissors and a ribbon, Natalie and Lilly took part in the Official Puck Drop. New Hanover Township Chairwoman Marie Livelsberger bravely dropped the first official puck between two girls so focused on the faceoff that they all but resisted requests to look away from the puck and smile for the picture.

Photo credit: Philadelphia Flyers

The puck dropped and they chased each other into the crowd, laser focused on battling each other for possession while the world blurred in hues of orange and black around them.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Free Food & Fun!

Throughout the evening, local businesses generously joined in the celebration. Peppe’s Pizza & Grill provided free slices, Whitetail Disposal sponsored a Kona Ice truck, and Freed’s Market supplied hotdogs and water.

Photo by Jen Corsilli

Please support these businesses - they really shared the love at the event and particularly with Peppe’s, even before we knew the fate of the rink! That support means the world to us!

Photo by Jen Corsilli

Our local pickup hockey group, Pick Up Sticks Hockey, set up a DIY Hockey Selfie Photo Station with lots of fun props and signs.

We also had raffle baskets and a 50/50 to help raise money for a shed and some starter hockey equipment for the community so ANYONE can play!

Thank you so much to all our sponsors and volunteers who helped make this possible!

Our raffles and sponsors included:

• Points Counter by Natalie

• Hockey Tote, Blanket, Hoodie and T-shirt by SB Designs

• Howie’s Hockey Gift Card & Swag donated by Howie’s Hockey Tape

• Concert Tickets for Hootie & the Blowfish & Avril Lavigne by Live Nation

• Mylec Backpack donated by Hometown Skates

• Elite Edge Jersey & Hat, and Elite Edge Skating Session by Elite Edge

• Dorney Park QR code tickets donated by a friend

• BladeTech Prize Pack & Custom Blades by BladeTech Hockey

• $100 Target Gift Card donated by a friend

• Collectible Hershey Bears Towels & Cups donated by a friend

• Purrfect Pet Basket donated by Feline Frenzy Thrift Shop & Adopt / Feline Frenzy Cat Rescue

• Car Wash Basket donated by friends

• Hockey Wrap Around Gift Sets by Hockey Wrap Around

Photo by Jen Corsilli

These prizes were AWESOME and so exciting for our hockey families. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors and generous community members who supported our raffles and 50/50.

Thank you also, to our amazing helpers and volunteers who handled the raffles at the event! Check out our awesome Gritty stand-in fully embracing the beard and the fun - if that isn’t team spirit, I don’t know what is!

Photo by Jen Corsilli

Please feel free to follow and support our kindhearted sponsors!

Photo by Jen Corsilli

Open Play at the Rink

From 6-7 p.m., everyone got a chance to practice passing, stickhandling, and shooting on goal on the brand new rink, which features Athletica dasher boards and MS3 dek tiles.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Kids, parents, grandparents, players, and people brand new to hockey all got to join in the fun!

Photo by Steve Caplan

First Official Game

Due to the rain reschedule of the grand opening, I created game rosters twice, checking player availability from the first batch and rebuilding from there. Thankfully, we had NO shortage of players!

Photo by Caitlin Ferenchak

The first period showcased the youngest players and we fielded two teams of 13 for a total of 26 in our Chipmunk and Penguin division.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Photo by Steve Caplan

The second period featured Natalie and Lilly as opposing team captains. Their squads collectively amassed 29 players combined, but ended up even higher as a few kids who didn’t know to register ahead of time were still able to jump on the bench, so I think we ended up with at least 33 in that second period.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Photo by Steve Caplan

The third period brought out the big guns with the likes of USA Women’s National Ball Hockey players Becky Dobson and Pam Bilger, along with talented players from the NBHL and teenagers and adults of all skill levels.

Photo by Caitlin Ferenchak

We had at least 28 players in the 3rd period as well.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Thankfully, by this point someone mentioned getting a group photo. Wish we’d thought to do that for each division!

Courtesy of Kate Van Druff

So amazing to get at least 87 people actually out there and playing in the first official game! Very thankful to all our volunteers - refs, coaches, timekeepers, photographers, and helpers for the raffle, 50/50, and all other behind the scenes triage roles!

We gave out glow-in-the-dark hockey balls with Natalie’s Save the Love design to all the young players.

Photo by Kate Van Druff

Joyful Thanks and Infinite Gratitude

The day of the grand opening of The Rink at Community Park was the most beautiful whirlwind of camaraderie, teamwork, team spirit, love, joy, hockey energy, and community we could’ve imagined.

Personally, I am humbled and filled with so much gratitude to be a part of this incredible journey that – as if by magic – shifted from saving a crumbling hockey dek to building the rink of our dreams. “Thank you” seems far too insignificant for all the wonderful support, generosity, and inspiration we’ve encountered in the past 10 months. We’ve been surrounded by the *best* people every step of the way and we’ll be forever grateful.

Photo by Steve Caplan

Infinite thanks to the Flyers Charities and Philadelphia Flyers organization, New Hanover Township and staff, the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, to Cindy, Blair and team, to Jamie, and to Alexis, to Heather, to Olivia for her comedic support, and to Natalie and Lilly – the girls who inspired this hockey dream come true.

We are also thankful to those who’ve donated funding toward our goals, and we’d like to thank Piero and Peppe’s Pizza, especially, for believing in the girls from day 1. Grateful thanks also to Chuck at Ridley Rink and Carl Ellis of The Street Hockey Life podcast, for sharing their stories, encouraging us, and helping to raise awareness and grow the game.

We’re also thankful to our husbands and families for picking up the slack and excusing the chaos as we’ve been working heads down on this since October.

So truly amazing to have the love and support of our friends on the Team USA Women’s National Ball Hockey Team - just so incredible to share in this amazing day for ball hockey with these truly impressive World Champions!

Photo by Steve Caplan

As well as our NBHL friends, coaches, fellow hockey moms and hockey dads, and just so many amazing people who’ve left an indelible mark on our hearts and this rink.

Photo by Steve Caplan

We’ve been supported by so many others on this journey, far too many to fairly mention, and we appreciate each and every one.

All this time, we’ve had the best team, led by these two girls, with countless hours and late nights by our core team of myself, Heather Walter, and Alexis Tarantino, plus support from numerous local hockey organizations and leaders (Boyertown Ice Hockey, Pottstown Jesters, and other leaders and special coaches from over the years who first got these girls to believe in themselves. We are also thankful for support from hockey leaders in the new Norchester Dek Hockey program (formerly PAL) who helped us pull the first official game together with a scoreboard, and awesome hockey parents, coaches, and refs who showed up to make this day a huge success.

So thankful for all the hockey kids and parents who came out to township meetings, not only that but those kids and parents who came to make our Grow the Game video in the pouring rain - Every Single Person still showed up - that right there is love. And those who came out just to play and help us grow the game - it all makes a difference. And to the media, especially Kevin Kinkead of Crossing Broad who first broke our story (First Media Mention of this effort – October 2023 - We Must Stop My Hometown from Converting the Hockey Rink into Pickleball Courts), and Evan Brandt with two unbelievable cover stories of the girls in The Mercury this year, along with various other local reporters, newspapers and stations who championed our efforts.

Photo by Steve Caplan

The list of thanks goes on and on - it would seem impossible to list every person who’s supported, inspired, and believed, so please know we appreciate you and we are thankful for each and every one.

It’s taken me way longer than expected to complete this post and add photos, so I’m going to cut it off here. More to come in future days!

By the way - our Shirt Sale is live!! Featuring Natalie’s design, “Grow the Game” with an orange heart spreading the love of hockey everywhere in tribute to the Flyers partnership with our rink - and Lilly’s Halloween design, which is so festive and punny with its “Play Like a Ghoul” saying. We are raising money for a shed and equipment so anybody can play!

Hockey Shirt Store

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PICK UP STICKS HOCKEY - Growing the Game

The purpose of Pick Up Sticks Hockey is to GROW THE GAME! We are a grassroots hockey org focused on providing positive, supportive pick up hockey and breaking down barriers to get more sticks in hands!

How We Got Here, and What’s Coming

This beautiful journey transformed from an urgent quest to save a crumbling dek hockey rink to a dream-come-true - building a brand-new, state-of-the-art rink with our favorite hockey team!

With the Grand Opening of The Rink at Community Park, Pick Up Sticks Hockey will be hosting frequent pickup hockey games for the community - for kids, coed kids and adults, and even ladies pickup!

We also look forward to hosting hockey clinics, tournaments, and special events in the near future. We know this hockey rink is beyond special and we look forward to keeping everyone informed of fun happenings at the rink!

Now is the perfect time to introduce ourselves and start building a group for fun hockey events and meetups to play!

Building a *Community*

You might ask - Why are we so focused on growing the game? Poetically, because we know exactly what the benefits are of being a part of a positive and supportive hockey community.

Feelings of friendship and belonging pair beautifully with elements of fun, competitiveness, and positive energy, not to mention great exercise!

Hockey people are some of the best people with the biggest hearts. We are excited to help our community grow and help SO many more people find the joy of hockey!

No Hockey Skills or Experience Necessary!

You don’t need any skills or experience to join our group - you may not even need a hockey stick as we’ll have some to borrow. Just wear your favorite sneakers and come out to give hockey a try!

Our group plays “friendly” pickup games with a few key rules in place.

Keep it friendly! That means playing nice and no penalties! (No slashing, tripping, roughing, checking, etc. Friendly play only!)

Keep it low! No high sticks! No slapshots! Keep your sticks low - we’ve heard it called Shinny!

The more the merrier! Bring a friend or family member! Everyone is welcome - hockey is for everyone!

Follow Along for More Hockey!

As we’ve heard it described beautifully already, the rink’s completion and grand opening is a truly happy ending - but really, it is just a beautiful beginning, too.

This whole experience inspired us to Dream Big and Grow the Game. We were able to Save the Love at New Hanover Community Park and now we simply can’t WAIT to grow the game even further.

We hope you’ll join us, follow along, and we look forward to seeing you at the rink!

For More Information

Whether you found us here or found our Substack through already knowing us, we are glad you’re here!

For the record, you can also find us at:

www.PickUpSticksHockey.com

PickUpSticksHockey on YouTube

Pick Up Sticks Hockey Page on Facebook

Scheduling:

Pickup Sticks Hockey - Coed Kids & Adults Pickup Ball Hockey (Montco Berks)

Pick Up Sticks Hockey Meetups on Whatsapp

(But trust us on subscribing! We have a TON of fun hockey ideas and don’t want you to miss a THING!)

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