Tampa Bay Lightning Girls Hockey
The Tampa Bay Lightning are committed to providing girls within Florida and the Tampa Bay Area a safe, competitive environment to grow their individual hockey skills while promoting the enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of hockey.
We have all new Girls Only programming for girls of all ages and skill levels including: Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, Rookie League, Rec League, and a Development Program for 11-16 year olds.
You will find information on all programs below! For questions, please reach out to Kelley Steadman - Girls Hockey Coordinator.
Kelley Steadman
Hockey Development Coordinator - Girls Hockey
Aaron Humphrey
Hockey Development Manager
Girls Only Coaches
- Kelley Steadman - Kelley is a 3x World Champion with Team USA, a CWHL champion, a former Buffalo Beauts star and a Mercyhurst hockey alum. She also has over 7 years of Div. 1 Women's College Hockey coaching experience and over 10 years of experience as a private skills instructor.
- Kathryn Tomaselli - Kat is a 4-year graduate from Union College in Schenectady, New York. She was the captain her Senior Year. Kat also played for The Boston Pride of the PHF Hockey from 2016-2019.
- Melissa Black - From Newmarket, Ontario, Mel played her freshman season at Union College where she won the George Morrison MVP and Rookie of the Year awards! After her freshman year, she transferred to the University of Vermont and was a 3 year starter for the Catamounts.
UPCOMING GIRLS ONLY CLINICS AND CAMPS
Girls Try Hockey For Free - October 21st
Join the Tampa Bay Lightning staff for a FREE GIRLS ONLY event on Saturday, October 21st from 3:40pm - 4:40pm.
Location: Power Pole Arena (6910 Asphalt Ave, Tampa FL)
Ages: 5-10
For more information or to register, please use the link below!
Girls Only Learn to Skate
The Tampa Bay Lightning are excited to continue our Girls Only Learn to Skate! The Learn to Skate will take place at PowerPole Arena, Home of Xtra ice which is located at 6910 Asphalt Ave., Tampa, FL 33614. The fall session is underway but our WINTER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN and begins December 3rd for 8 weeks on Sundays.
The Lightning Learn to Skate is a beginner program for youth hockey players who are just learning how to skate for the first time. The winter program is 8 weeks and is for Girls Only ages 5 - 11 years old. It is a great way to get new hockey players the feel of skating!
See the link below for Winter 2023 Registration!
Girls Only Learn to Play
The NHL and the NHLPA have partnered with the Tampa Bay Lightning to provide a low-cost opportunity for Girls to try hockey for the first time. During the 2022-23 hockey season, more than 800 boys and girls (age 5-10) will discover the sport of hockey for the first time through the Lightning Learn to Play Hockey Program. This program will be offered in multiple rinks throughout Florida. The Learn to Play Program is the BEST AND MOST AFFORDABLE way to introduce your child to hockey.
Our fall sessions is up and running and our winter registration is now open!
WINTER SESSION INFORMATION:
The program will consist of eight (8) 45 minute long on-ice training sessions over the course of eight (8) consecutive weeks. Sessions will take place on Sundays, beginning December 3rd. Girls will receive their own complete set of hockey equipment to keep as they progress into a next-step hockey program.
Girls Only Rookie League
Lightning Made Girls Only Rookie League is for girls ages 6-11 who have completed a Learn to Play (Hockey 101) program and are looking to take their game to the next level. Rookie league training includes power skating, skill development, as well as small area game play/teaching.
For all small group work and games, girls are split into small groups based on skill level so they are constantly being pushed to compete and get better, while having a ton of fun with their friends.
FALL SESSION INFORMATION:
The program is held at Power Pole Arena (6910 Asphalt Ave, Tampa FL) and will consist of 8, one hour on-ice training sessions over the course of 8 consecutive weeks on Sundays from 2:40pm - 3:40pm beginning September 17th.
GIRLS ONLY REC LEAGUE
We are so excited to be continuing our Girls Only Rec League this fall! The Lightning Girls Only Rec League is for girls ages 7-11 who have completed a Learn to Play program (Hockey 101) and Rookie League (Hockey 201) and are looking to learn more about positioning and game play!
FALL SESSION INFORMATION:
Location: Power Pole Arena (6910 Asphalt Ave, Tampa FL)
Dates: 8 weeks of practices and games on Sundays, beginning September 17th.
Please click on the link below for more details and registration!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should my daughter play with an all-girls team as opposed to a co-ed team?
We understand that your daughter may be competing at a higher level against higher skill level players and we do not want to deter you from that choice. That is of course your decision to make.
However, let us ask you how much of a leadership role does she have on that team? Is she able to lead her line and teach those less skilled than her? Does she have an established role on that team or is she told to simply follow the boys and do what they do? What we found with this first year of our program was that these girls are developing into leaders and finding their own voice on the team. They are surrounded by their teammates in the locker room and not missing out on that team bonding experience. She will learn more about the game and given clear expectations for how she can help the team improve and succeed as well as given her own individual goals to grow and develop.
The reality is that girls and boys play a very different skilled style of game. Girls are required carry the puck more, complete more passes and typically be skilled on their feet. Since they cannot use their body to force their opponent off the puck, they must use their hands and feet while using quick decision making and a swift style. The game becomes faster for them and they learn more about the positional side of the game. The earlier she is able to learn this style of play, the more successful she will be later down the road when it comes to her future in girls' hockey.
Girls Hockey Merchandise
When you purchase merchandise from our Squad Locker store, a portion of the proceeds go directly to Lightning Made Hockey to help benefit our Girls Hockey Programs!