Everyone seems to know at least one person on the Saint Viator Boys Hockey team, but not everyone who wants to play hockey for Viator can. Recently, there has been talk of introducing a girls’ hockey team to the sports roster offered at Saint Viator.

“There has been some interest, however we currently do not have a solid number [of girls] as we continue to determine solid interest for girls at Saint Viator and incoming 8th grade students,” said Mr. Jason Kuffel, Athletic Director.

Since ice hockey is predominantly a male sport, few girls’ teams exist. Most schools typically don’t have enough girls interested in creating a team. In contrast, others allow girls to play alongside the boys, ultimately contributing to the lack of girls’ teams and leagues.

“The league would be against Girls teams only,” said Mr. Kuffel. If there were enough girls interested in making a team, there has been thought put into what league they would play in.

But what if there isn’t enough interest for a girls’ hockey team? What will happen to the girls who did show interest?

“They will still be able to participate on the Girls combined team where Saint Viator girls play,”  said Mr. Kuffel. “This is the Barrington Fillies program with girls from Barrington, Lake Zurich, Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Hersey and Saint Viator High schools.”

One factor that detracts from the amount of girls showing interest is time commitment.

“I’m not considering joining the girls hockey team because I am already a three sport athlete,” said sophomore Abigail Busa.

Another factor is experience.

“I probably wouldn’t join a girls hockey team because I don’t have any previous experience playing,” said sophomore Chloe Weaver.

Although there has not been enough interest yet for the team to come to fruition, much thought has been put into instating a girls’ hockey team to Saint Viator, and will hopefully be well established in the coming school years.