By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Network
JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsnews.com) – Throughout her life, Amanda Michaud has been involved with girl’s hockey. It has been a successful odyssey in which Michaud coached and developed programs in Arizona, and her playing days can be traced back to her Maine roots.
“I got started in hockey as a kid growing up in Maine,” recalled Michaud, who is the head coach of the Jacksonville Lunas girls’ youth hockey program. “I got involved because I had family members – cousins, uncles – who all played and I wanted to as well. I p
layed through high school and college. It is a passion.”
A few years ago, Michaud moved to Jacksonville from Arizona, and she and Paul Esdale, Youth Hockery Director, launched the Jacksonville Lunas, an all-girls hockey program under the Jacksonville Icemen grassroots program. Her husband, Alex Reed, Director of Team Services for Sawyer Sports.
Michaud and Esdale began the Lunas with 25 girls, and it has continued to steadily grow with over 100 girls enrolled across all of the girls programming – from Learn to Play to now five travel teams up to age 16.
Jacksonville is a prime example of the rise in girls’ and women’s hockey nationwide. USA Hockey recently stated that there have been more than 100,000 registered female players for the first time in history. That is a 257% increase since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Michaud, who was an assistant coach for the Arizona Coyotes Development Program and the Arizona Kachinas
Girls Hockey and Learn to Play Programs, has been impressed with Jacksonville’s rapid rise. She also is a member of the NHL Coaches Association Female Mentorship Program and IIHF HER Coaching Network.
The Lunas’ program, which began in the 2023-24 season, recently completed their third year.
“It’s been awe
some to see the growth and the family, the growth of the community here for the girls too,” beamed Michaud, who is a USA Hockey level five certified coach and has over 15 years of experience coaching youth hockey. “It’s been huge and something that’s so cool to be a part of.”
Michaud stated that the teams play in different leagues, depending on their level. This includes the Statewide Florida Girls Hockey League (SFGHL) and the Southern Girls Hockey League (SGHL) with teams from North Carolina to South Florida. There are also two teams that play in the National Girls Hockey League (NGHL).
With three productive seasons, Michaud believes the program is on a productive and excelled track.
“In our initial season, we only had two teams and about 30 girls involved in the program from ages eight to 12,” noted Michaud. “This past season, we had four teams with about 60 girls, with girls ages eight to 16 years. We had a 14-under double-A team that went undefeated in Florida league play and played in the National Girls Hockey League. They competed at a national level against teams from all over the country.
“Overall, we had a great season with lots of success.”
Michaud also cited the Learn-to Play program for girls ages four to 16 that also has initiated plenty of attention. In addition, there are fall travel teams that compete in the SFGHL and SGHL as well as select NGHL events and tournaments.
“We’ve had about 30 girls complete this program so far, and many of them are planning to try out for our travel teams next year,” said Michaud. “After they complete the learn to play program, the girls can move on and play in our recreational league at the Igloo or try out for our travel teams for their age level.”
Michaud has cherished the moments, and she knows there are more to come.
“It’s been amazing to see the growth and be a part of it,” gushed Michaud. “The growth over the past few years has been incredible to watch.”
Photo Credit: Nancy DeLander Beecher
