Less than a week after Hilary Knight skated with the Anaheim Ducks, her U.S. Olympic teammate Anne Schleper joined the Tampa Bay Lightning for their morning skate on Monday. This was part of the IIHF’s Girl’s Play Hockey Weekend to help continue to promote the game. Here’s what Lightning head coach Jon Cooper had to say:
“I was really impressed with her…She spoke a lot on the ice. You could really distinguish her voice. She was really active, saying all the right things, calling for the puck. I think she got better as the practice went on.
“We’re about the sport of hockey. It’s not about men’s hockey or women’s hockey. It is hockey, sled hockey, we’re all in this together … For her to come out here and be with our guys, I’m sure, it was fun for our guys and I’m sure it was a ton of fun for her. But if we can build the sport in any way and if that helps ten little girls to play hockey…then it’s paid off.”
It'll be hard to forget a lot of this weekend & today's moments w/ the @TBLightning! Had so much fun! @RealStamkos91 pic.twitter.com/At5HlGcows
— Anne Schleper (@_aschlep) October 13, 2014
Scroll to the one-minute mark to see her in action.