As we reach the mid-season mark I want to congratulate each team for their hard work and strong development so far this year. ~ Kathy McGarrigle, Director/coach Lady Ducks Hockey

LADY DUCKS 16s: You've been playing well in a tough scaha midget division. So many of you are performing well on the ice and in the classroom: Way to go! Your trips east seeking strong girls competition brought you to tournaments in Canada and the Midwest. I am impressed with the hard work and improvement this year. The team is so tight and works hard toward strengthening your play and having another good trip to CT this year. Keep up the good work and get that quilt finished by April, eh?! ;o)

LADY DUCKS 14s: This is such a competitive and hard working team! Playing both scaha Bantam A and traveling you posted an outstanding record in your first year of Tier One Elite Hockey League, TIEHL (formerly the Midwest Elite League). The hardworking group of 94-95s helped to showcase outstanding play of our California girls. You finished your 3 trips with a superb record of 11-3-1. While your wins were strong, your only losses were sustained after flying all night and struggling to keep your energy with the grueling TIEHL schedule. Playing 5 games in 48 hours was and will always be tough but you came through with flying colors.
Not only did our opponents praise you for your puck control, power play skills, shooting and great netminding but the prep and college coaches who chatted with me look forward to seeing you all develop over the next few years and will most assuredly keep their eye on you next season.

LADY DUCKS 12s: Wow! What a difference a year makes. With strong play by every girl you are making amazing progress as a team and show great potential for the second half of the season.
You have won more than half the peewee A games you've played this year (tourneys, exhibition, etc..) And continue to show individual skill development and heart on your way to being your best. I am so proud of you! Although you have only played 5 games vs. girls so far, you are undefeated. So, keep it up and let's have a fun trip back east after Christmas!

LADY DUCKS 10U: All I keep hearing is how great you guys are playing! Coaches Vicky, Caroline and Tracy are so excited about your development in both squirt games, tourneys and exhibitions. Its so great to see all the 10s working on individual skills, attending clinics, lessons, and playing in squirt or peewee in house (working on those cool moves!).
All of your scaha games are competitive, and you continue to hold your own with the top few teams in the division. Remember to set an individual goal for your improvement: maybe skating, shooting, stick handling or passing skills, so that you have something to focus on most. I can't wait to finally have some time to catch some games in CT. Good luck the rest of the way ladies!

LADY DUCKS 8U: Was that the same LADY DUCKS 8's I saw out there on the ice a few weeks ago from the September tournament? YES!! Coach Caroline already has you all getting into shape with your passing and positions; That's AWESOME!! Have a fun holiday vacation and get ready for MLK 8U division in January.

Next up for all LADY DUCKS (except of course the 8s!) Is the awesome Connecticut Polar Bear Tournament. GOOD LUCK and have FUN!!

- coach Kathy

It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing of one of our Lady Duck Family members. One of our moms, Denise Biddle, mother of Kelly Biddle '89, died of an apparent heart attack, Saturday, December 12, 2008. She was in her mid-40s. Kelly just finished her first semester at St. Olaf's college and hockey. In addition to being a great mom and a generous and caring woman to everyone she met, Denise was an amazing LD team manager for several years helping to strengthen our club in every way possible. Denise was the backbone of the Lady Ducks early years of 12U ....She and her husband John are involved in the Anaheim Ducks boosters, Ducks season ticket holders, and as amazing supporters of the ASFA Fedorin Cup charity events.
More details will be forthcoming but, expect services to be held Thursday, December 18th, 2008.

Below are some letters and comments from those whose lives were touched by Denise through her efforts for the Lady Ducks and the girls involved in our program.
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I cannot begin to imagine how devastating it would to lose such a fantastic mother and friend. She was a real saint, always so warm, inviting and helpful to all of us. She really gave a whole new meaning to the term "team mom". I would love to help out with any thing that needs to be done. I am off of school for the next two months, and I would be so willing and honored to help coordinate something to commemorate Mrs. Biddle's hard-work and dedication to the Lady Ducks and Girl's youth hockey.

Erica Aguilera
Lady Ducks 14u & 16u
2002-2005
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I am shocked by all this and feel so very very devastated for Kelly and her family. I can not imagine anything worse than this. Denise was an amazingly patient, caring, and selfless person. She was so giving to the team even after Kelly went away to NAHA to play hockey... an unbelievably giving lady.
Lynn Aguilera
Mom of Erica Aguilera LD goalie '02-'05
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I cannot even begin to express my sadness and grief at the news of Denise's passing. I am going through so many emotions at one time: disbelief that this is possible, shock that a great lady is gone, anger at a life taken too soon. I spent many years with Denise as our daughters played hockey together and came to know Denise as the completely selfless, very private person she was. She worked tirelessly for the good of ALL the players, and she never took credit for her good works. We will never truly know all the she did for our children as she was so private and humble.
My greatest sadness is that I did not see her much recently, only at an occasional Ducks game as I strolled the halls during intermissions.
I hope that we can think of some great way to honor her memory. To that end, I would like to investigate the process of establishing some type of perpetual award given each year to a jr duck player that displays the selflessness and commitment to service that Denise exemplified. Anyone who would be interested, please let me know and we can pursue after the holidays.
All the best, and God bless,
Anna Hanlon
Mother of #6 Courtney Hanlon '89
Lady Duck 2001 - 2006
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Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to Kelly, John and family.
We too, have been a part of the LD organization since the original 12U yr ..... Denise was a good friend to everyone and "mother" to all the girls. She was a constant source of support and encouragement, and a positive in all of our lives. I will always be grateful to Denise for her genuine caring and her constant support and effort. Anna, you are right ... we will never truly know the extent to which Denise helped us all out, and made things possible for our girls. We are forever indebted to her, and she will be terribly missed. Warmest Regards,

Debbie Volpe
Taylor Volpe '92
Lady Ducks 2002 - 2008

The 12U girls had a great tournament over the Thanksgiving holiday. They played 3 strong teams - The Arapahoe Warriors, California Cougars and Jr Ducks. They had a 3-2 win over the Cougars and tied the Jr Ducks 3-3. They had trouble with the Warriors who took first place in the tournament. Congratulations Ladies!

Welcome to the new Lady Ducks website. In the coming weeks (months?), many more features will be implemented. Best of all, with this new format, changes can now be made on a more timely basis.

Congratulations to the 12U Lady Ducks for placing 2nd in the Jr Ducks Early Bird Tournament. The girls came out strong in their first games together. They beat the Saints, Avalanche, Oilers, and Redwings to get to the finals against the Las Vegas Outlaws. Coaches Kathy, Kevin, Andy, Jeff, and Bill have done a tremendous job getting this team to be a cohesive unit this quickly.