History and Alumni
Blades History
Women's ice hockey has been in existence for many years now in Central Pennsylvania. In August of 1995, five mothers responded to a challenge issued by their sons and daughters to try the game of ice hockey. The mom's rented out "The Puddle" at Twin Ponds East in Harrisburg, PA. They liked it so much that they rented ice the next week with a couple more moms coming. The moms met weekly, with new members each time, forming the "Moms on Ice" program. By March 1996, the skill level and size of the program had increased to 50 members, so the normal ice surface was used.
In November 1996 the "Moms on Ice" program moved to the Susquehanna Ice House in Lemoyne. Some members expressed interest in joining the Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey League, thus the Susquehanna Rockettes were formed. This 20-member team joined the MAWHL B division for the 1997-1998 season. The team, along with practicing throughout the year, also traveled to Las Vegas for a women's tournament, placing second place in the finals. The Rockettes also achieved second place in the division B MAWHL playoffs. The team practiced during the summer and joined a men's league at the Ice House. In the fall of 1998 the Susquehanna Ice House closed its doors to ice-skating, and became an indoor roller-skating facility. With the sudden close of the Ice House, the Rocketts were left as skaters without ice. It was too late in the season to skate at another rink in the Harrisburg area. The team decided not to join the MAWHL due to lack of home ice and low participation. Various members of the team persevered and continued to participate in men's leagues at Twin Ponds East and West.
Meanwhile, in the early spring of 1998 a women's rookie league was forming at the Regency Sportsrink in Lancaster, PA. Players from various levels gained skating experience, basic puck handling skills and the general rules of ice hockey. The league consisted of four teams scrimmaging each other every week. After the clinic and games were over, the enthusiasm and attendance of the league faded and the rink had no choice but to fill that ice slot with someone else.
Trying to bring the team together in the spring of 1999 was full of challenges. Not receiving desired support from the Twin Ponds ice rinks, many players were now living primarily in the Lancaster County area. Several of the Rockettes, for many reasons, could not commit to playing in Lancaster. So a new team formed at the Regency Sportsrink, consisting of many players from the women's rookie league. The Regency Sportsrink allotted this new women's program a weekly ice slot. The program grew in popularity. Players continued practicing and worked on recruiting new players from various skill levels throughout the summer. The team did not carry the Susquehanna Rockettes name with them, but changed it to the Central Penn Blades (better fitting the geographical distribution of its players).
As the fall quickly approached, the team was adamant in getting the word out to other potential skaters. They had placed flyers at various rinks and fitness organizations. The team decided to re-enter the MAWHL B division, skeptical if they would have the numbers to fill a team. In early fall, interest in the women's team skyrocketed. Membership quickly increased, resulting in the team attaining unthinkable goals. There was an enormous outpouring of sponsorship opportunities, increased participation from current players, new players, and many from the Regency's women's league who were excited to hear that a team had reorganized in the area.
Due to the overwhelming number of players in late fall of 1999, the Central Penn Blades decided to have a B team in the MAWHL, and a C team in the Tri-State League. Both travel teams competed in at least 10-12 games throughout a season (November to March). The Mid-Atlantic team competed with teams in Maryland, New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington DC. The Tri-State team competed with teams from the Philadelphia area.
Again in the fall of 2000 there was enough participation for the Blades to have a C team in the MAWHL, and a C team in the Tri-State League. Practices were held at 5:30am on Wednesdays. Both teams did well. The MAWHL C team won the division championship for the 2000-2001 season.
In the spring of 2001 the Regency Sportsrink finally realized that women's ice hockey was not leaving the Lancaster area and the team was provided with a weekly ice slot.
Until 2010, the Blades played in the Red Division of the United Women's Hockey League. The Blades won the Red Division play-off championship in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and had the best record in the Red Division in 2009-10. This year, 2010-11, the Blades were moved up to the White Division of the United Women's Hockey League (http://www.uwhl.org). The Blades roster includes players from many walks of life, ranging in age from 18 to 56. These women vary in skill and abilities, but all have one thing in common...they come here to have fun (and get a great workout too!).
In the 2010-2011 Season, the Blades moved to the White Division and saw a great deal of success. In its first year in the division, the Blades cruised through the regular season and fought to a respectable 2nd place finish in UWHL League playoffs.
In November 1996 the "Moms on Ice" program moved to the Susquehanna Ice House in Lemoyne. Some members expressed interest in joining the Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey League, thus the Susquehanna Rockettes were formed. This 20-member team joined the MAWHL B division for the 1997-1998 season. The team, along with practicing throughout the year, also traveled to Las Vegas for a women's tournament, placing second place in the finals. The Rockettes also achieved second place in the division B MAWHL playoffs. The team practiced during the summer and joined a men's league at the Ice House. In the fall of 1998 the Susquehanna Ice House closed its doors to ice-skating, and became an indoor roller-skating facility. With the sudden close of the Ice House, the Rocketts were left as skaters without ice. It was too late in the season to skate at another rink in the Harrisburg area. The team decided not to join the MAWHL due to lack of home ice and low participation. Various members of the team persevered and continued to participate in men's leagues at Twin Ponds East and West.
Meanwhile, in the early spring of 1998 a women's rookie league was forming at the Regency Sportsrink in Lancaster, PA. Players from various levels gained skating experience, basic puck handling skills and the general rules of ice hockey. The league consisted of four teams scrimmaging each other every week. After the clinic and games were over, the enthusiasm and attendance of the league faded and the rink had no choice but to fill that ice slot with someone else.
Trying to bring the team together in the spring of 1999 was full of challenges. Not receiving desired support from the Twin Ponds ice rinks, many players were now living primarily in the Lancaster County area. Several of the Rockettes, for many reasons, could not commit to playing in Lancaster. So a new team formed at the Regency Sportsrink, consisting of many players from the women's rookie league. The Regency Sportsrink allotted this new women's program a weekly ice slot. The program grew in popularity. Players continued practicing and worked on recruiting new players from various skill levels throughout the summer. The team did not carry the Susquehanna Rockettes name with them, but changed it to the Central Penn Blades (better fitting the geographical distribution of its players).
As the fall quickly approached, the team was adamant in getting the word out to other potential skaters. They had placed flyers at various rinks and fitness organizations. The team decided to re-enter the MAWHL B division, skeptical if they would have the numbers to fill a team. In early fall, interest in the women's team skyrocketed. Membership quickly increased, resulting in the team attaining unthinkable goals. There was an enormous outpouring of sponsorship opportunities, increased participation from current players, new players, and many from the Regency's women's league who were excited to hear that a team had reorganized in the area.
Due to the overwhelming number of players in late fall of 1999, the Central Penn Blades decided to have a B team in the MAWHL, and a C team in the Tri-State League. Both travel teams competed in at least 10-12 games throughout a season (November to March). The Mid-Atlantic team competed with teams in Maryland, New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington DC. The Tri-State team competed with teams from the Philadelphia area.
Again in the fall of 2000 there was enough participation for the Blades to have a C team in the MAWHL, and a C team in the Tri-State League. Practices were held at 5:30am on Wednesdays. Both teams did well. The MAWHL C team won the division championship for the 2000-2001 season.
In the spring of 2001 the Regency Sportsrink finally realized that women's ice hockey was not leaving the Lancaster area and the team was provided with a weekly ice slot.
Until 2010, the Blades played in the Red Division of the United Women's Hockey League. The Blades won the Red Division play-off championship in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and had the best record in the Red Division in 2009-10. This year, 2010-11, the Blades were moved up to the White Division of the United Women's Hockey League (http://www.uwhl.org). The Blades roster includes players from many walks of life, ranging in age from 18 to 56. These women vary in skill and abilities, but all have one thing in common...they come here to have fun (and get a great workout too!).
In the 2010-2011 Season, the Blades moved to the White Division and saw a great deal of success. In its first year in the division, the Blades cruised through the regular season and fought to a respectable 2nd place finish in UWHL League playoffs.
ANN DAVIS - 20, Defense
From - Lancaster, PA
From - Lancaster, PA
MICHELLE DAVIS - 13, Defense
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Student
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Student
DIANA DRUKENBROD - 36, Defense
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Accountant
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Accountant
DENISE GIBSON - 16, Defense
From - Philadelphia, PA
Profession - Pediatric Nurse
From - Philadelphia, PA
Profession - Pediatric Nurse
RAELENE HACHKOWSKI - 11, Center
From - Winnepeg, CA
Profession - Interior Designer
From - Winnepeg, CA
Profession - Interior Designer
JESSICA HERTZLER - 29, Forward
From - Mechanicsburg, PA
Profession - Insurance Systems Coordinator
From - Mechanicsburg, PA
Profession - Insurance Systems Coordinator
JEANINE LUDWIG-LINEBERRY - 9, Center
From - Millersville, PA
Profession - L.S. Math Teacher
From - Millersville, PA
Profession - L.S. Math Teacher
AMY MARTIN - 49, Defense
From - Denver, PA
Profession - Student
From - Denver, PA
Profession - Student
LISA MUNDIS - 70, Offense
From - Sacramento, CA
Profession - Accountant
From - Sacramento, CA
Profession - Accountant
Alumni
AMANDA ALLEN - 18, Defense
From - Mount Joy, PA
Profession - Landscaper
From - Mount Joy, PA
Profession - Landscaper
AMY ANTONUCCI - 27, Goalie/Right Wing
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Systems Engineer
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Systems Engineer
ANN BARCLAY - 98, Right Wing
From - Ephrata, PA
Profession - Jolly Rancher
From - Ephrata, PA
Profession - Jolly Rancher
HILARY BLASIK - 4, Left Wing
From - Columbia, PA
Profession - Student/Waitress
From - Columbia, PA
Profession - Student/Waitress
KATE BERMEL - 7, Goalie/Defense
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Student
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Student
MARY "BRICKHOUSE" BRANDT - 89, Defense
From - East Petersburg, PA
Profession - Press Operator
From - East Petersburg, PA
Profession - Press Operator
CINDY BRENDLE - 11, Defense/Wing
From - Terre Hill, PA
Profession - Physical Therapist Assistant
From - Terre Hill, PA
Profession - Physical Therapist Assistant
BECKY BUCHANAN - 52, Defense
From - Stoystown, PA
Profession - Erosion Control Technician
From - Stoystown, PA
Profession - Erosion Control Technician
CAROL BUSWELL - 90, Forward
Birthdate - 1969
Birthdate - 1969
VALERIE CARAS - 43, Left Wing
From - Wilmington, DE
Profession - Executive Director
From - Wilmington, DE
Profession - Executive Director
ANN-MARIE CHARLAND - 25, Left Wing
From - Montreal, Canada
Profession - Systems Engineer
From - Montreal, Canada
Profession - Systems Engineer
MAGGIE CHARLEROY - 84, Offense
From -Cranberry, NJ
Profession - Student
From -Cranberry, NJ
Profession - Student
DEANNA CONAWAY - 30, Forward
From - Middletown, PA
Profession - Student
From - Middletown, PA
Profession - Student
LEXIE DARCH - 77, Anything but Goalie
From - Mechanicsburg, PA
Profession - Real Estate Agent
From - Mechanicsburg, PA
Profession - Real Estate Agent
SHELLY DEILING - 79, Wing
From - Hummelstown, PA
Profession - Student
From - Hummelstown, PA
Profession - Student
JONDA DRAUKER - 3, Forward
From - York, PA
Profession - Postal Carrier
From - York, PA
Profession - Postal Carrier
LISA GARVEY - 40, Forward
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Construction
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Construction
KRISTIN GOERNER - 82, Wing
From - Mohnton, PA
Profession - Maintenance Tech
From - Mohnton, PA
Profession - Maintenance Tech
TRISH HASSLER - 22, Center
From - Mohnton, PA
Profession - Law Enforcement
From - Mohnton, PA
Profession - Law Enforcement
BRIANNA HUSTED - 28, Offense
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Nursing Student
From - Lancaster, PA
Profession - Nursing Student
MEGAN MANGES - 17, Wing
From - North East, MD
Profession - Student
From - North East, MD
Profession - Student
CARRIE MEYERS - 8, Center
From - Beverly, MA
Profession - GIS Analyst
From - Beverly, MA
Profession - GIS Analyst
SANDY NORTON - 4, Wing
From - Reading, PA
Profession - Bookkeeper
From - Reading, PA
Profession - Bookkeeper
MELANIE PAYTON - 15, Goalie
From - Mt. Joy, PA
Profession - Programmer
From - Mt. Joy, PA
Profession - Programmer
ROSE SHULMAN - 88, Defense
From - Portland, ME
Profession - Packaging Engineer
2010-2011 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!
2010-2011 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!
From - Portland, ME
Profession - Packaging Engineer
2010-2011 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!
2010-2011 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!