Girls U19/Prep Ice Hockey 11/22/2022 3:00:00 PM Ken Voreis | Sports Information Specialist

"We vs Me" mentality fuels CGA hockey program

The 2022-23 hockey season might be remembered as the year when Culver Girls Academy hockey established itself as a national contender in girls hockey.

Culver Academies has a long tradition of championship-caliber boys hockey. The boys' program is a perennial powerhouse in prep hockey, and an annual contender of USA Hockey national championships. Although the boys tend to soak up much of the spotlight at times, their female counterparts on the Culver Girls Academy prep team are quietly putting together a season for the record books.

This week marks a new milestone for Culver hockey. While it's not uncommon to see the boys ranked nationally, CGA prep joins CMA prep and U16 hockey as nationally ranked top 20 programs, all during the same season. Culver Military Academy's prep and U16 teams are ranked third and 18^th respectively. Culver Girls Academy's prep team is ranked 15^th.

Cory Whitaker, CGA hockey's programming manager and coach, said the girls' skill and maturity are the keys to their impressive performance.

"This team is the most top to bottom skilled team we have had since I have been here," Whitaker said. "The other advantage that we have is that the development of the U16 team has allowed us to provide age appropriate development opportunities for players. The last three years our average age has been 15. This is the first year that our average age is over 17."

The 2023 CGA team also is nearly evenly split in terms of academic year, featuring eight seniors, five juniors and seven sophomores.

When asked about player development and the program's top performers, Whitaker cited a "we versus me" mentality that fuels the players.

"Lots of people say that they want to be elite but few are willing to make the sacrifices to do so," Whitaker said. "Our group has really embraced the challenge of sacrificing for each other the things that they 'want' to do for the things they need to do in order to accomplish the goals they have set for the group. I am completely honored and humbled by the leadership of this group. When I hear them speak, it is never 'I.' It is always 'we' and it shows how they play."

They play pretty well. CGA's prep team won 25 games all of last season. This season, they have already won 21 games, and it's only the half-way mark. Additionally, they won the CCM World Invite, outscoring their opponents 23-7.

The sheer growth in number of eligible players in the girls hockey program is also paying huge dividends for the prep team's success.

"Having almost 40 kids in the hockey program now is an amazing accomplishment," Whitaker said. "Lots of work by the coaches and support staff but we are growing in the right way."

Girls varsity coach Gracen Hirschy is one of the individuals vital to the program's recent success.

"The addition of a second team is very important for the program as a whole. It gives the opportunity for players to develop their skill set and confidence before playing at the next level," Hirschy said. "I've been very happy with the buy in and commitment from the team. There's a lot of moving parts that goes into an inaugural season, but to see the improvement from individuals and also the team, I know we are all on the right track."

With the coaches pleased with the leadership and development of the team, the players are just having fun playing.

"With the energy and hard work coming from new girls and returners, it is easy to dial in when at the rink each day," said captain Margaret Benecke '23. "Some weekends seem to be longer than others, but we show up ready to compete for each game working toward the shared goal of competing at nationals this season. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to compete each weekend. We appreciate the opportunities to share our passions and are looking forward to what is in store these upcoming months."

Fellow captains Charlee Frankenfeld '23 and Lauren Johnson '23 also share excitement for the remainder of the season.

"The team has taken some serious strides within the first 25 games of this season," Frankenfeld said. "As we have welcomed new players in with open arms, it has been especially rewarding to watch their success on the ice and within our sisterhood. I am extremely excited about the direction in which CGA hockey is growing."

Johnson said she can't wait to see what the team achieves this season.

"Over the first part of our season, we have further developed our team chemistry and discovered a lot about our team that will help us in March. The team this year is extremely special and I am blessed to be apart of it," she said.

The girls don't have to wait long to see how much better they can become as a unit. They start right back up after Thanksgiving break with a huge three-game road test against rival Shattuck St. Mary's on December 2-4.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Charlee Frankenfeld: Senior

#18 Margaret Benecke: Senior

#23 Lauren Johnson: Senior

Players Mentioned

#11 Charlee Frankenfeld
: Senior

#18 Margaret Benecke
: Senior

#23 Lauren Johnson
: Senior

Players Mentioned

#11 Charlee Frankenfeld

#18 Margaret Benecke

#23 Lauren Johnson

Players Mentioned

#11 Charlee Frankenfeld

#18 Margaret Benecke

#23 Lauren Johnson