The Tulsa Junior Oilers Elite Mite Pink team has began their first season of existence with four straight tournament finals, winning two championships and two runner-up titles.
Many of the athletes have never played competitive hockey until this season and with guidance of coaches and parents, the team has exceeded expectations with early tournament victories.
Elite Mite Pink head coach, Jeremy Moore, played youth hockey at the Tulsa Oilers Ice Center and says the atmosphere on the rink attracted many of his players to give the sport a try.
"A lot of the parents that are here have played hockey. From when we were all young. I grew up playing here, a couple of my other coaches grew up here," Moore said.
Elite Mite Pink players range in age from 4 to 8, with a few athletes playing a level below in order to be on the team.
Although the Tulsa Oilers hockey team plays a role in setting an example for local youth hockey, many of the Elite Mite Pink players look up to first year assistant coach, Brooke Garzone.
Garzone played hockey for the University of Minnesota Women's hockey team and says the sport has come a long way for women since her days playing youth hockey in Tulsa.
" I was the only girl up until I was fifteen. I played with boys my whole life. I played against a girl every once in a while. I liked, it challenged me and stuff, but now these girls have a girls team and I'm a little jealous," Garzone said.
As sports like football and basketball maintain the lead in youth participation, Tulsa area hockey is receiving more exposure and players are becoming more skilled and experienced.
"We have four mite teams, we only had one. Everyone made the team when I was starting so this is amazing. It's growing tremendously," Garzone said
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