Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1440267
"In the fall, they're all running each other over on the football field," Worden said. "And then all of a sudden, when winter starts, they're best friends, they're teammates and it makes us pretty unique. We try to get involved in each of the communities as best we can." Even though some don't even see each other during the school day, they're fast friends on the ice. "It's unique for those kids to come to the rink and play with kids from other schools," said Travis Bebee, President of the Dodge County Youth Hockey Association. "It's defi- nitely a small-town atmosphere. The kids all get along and feed off each other." Bebee has been involved in the association in some capacity for the past 13 years. He's been pleased to see more players become interested in playing, and credits both Worden and girls' high school coach Jeremy Gunderson for helping to spark interest in younger skaters. Both coaches will bring their players to help the youth with practices or skills nights. "Having those kids showing up on the ice with their jerseys on and skating with the younger ones like that—it's absolutely huge," Bebee said. "As far as the culture goes, it's become a lot stronger since we've built that relationship with the high school players and coaches over the past few years." Participation has increased, too. Just this year alone, 112 of the association's 221 regis- tered players are Mites/8U. "It's definitely growing a lot," Bebee said. "We have a lot of families or parents who have hockey knowledge and bring that to the table, as far as coaching. Many of them want to be involved and help." BUILDING MOMENTUM To help foster growth, Dodge County created the girls' hockey Buddy Program. A youth play- er is paired with a high school player, and they mentor each other throughout the season. They discuss hockey, give each other tips, go to each other's games and have pizza parties. The program has been a huge hit among all ages. "It's the biggest recruiting tool," Gunderson said. "It keeps those players involved and wanting to be in that role at some point in their lives." Gunderson has been involved in Dodge County hockey since its inception in the 1998-99 season. He's spent time coaching both boys' high school and youth hockey, before taking on his current post as the girls' high school head coach in 2006. Many of his former players have gone on to play college hockey, and the program has produced two top-five Ms. Hockey finalists. "I think we put together a culture that's conducive to play at the college level, but we try to really develop good people academ- ically and for the community," Gunderson said. "They learn to give back and have that respect for their community." That culture flows through the entire hockey program in Dodge County, thanks to its commitment to growth, and connecting skaters of all ages. "We're still a work in progress, but we're trying to get our high school and our youth to work together more and hear the same lingo," Worden said. "It's a big step we're taking. The youth has to support the high school; that high school has to support the youth. We have to try to work together as much as possible." J A N / F E B 2 0 2 2 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 17 Dodge County varsity players take a hands-on approach to growing the game in their community. "It's a big step we're taking. The youth has to support the high school; that high school has to support the youth. We have to try to work together as much as possible." –Nick Worden Dodge County boys' varsity head coach