Columbus ice hockey club receives NHL grant

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Before LaKesha Wyse became the president of the Columbus Ice Hockey Club (CIHC), she was a parent in the club.  

"We started with my son when he was 3. We didn't know anything about hockey,” she said. “My girls were doing figure skating at the time and moved over to hockey. Who would have thought we would have this passion for hockey?” 

That passion now extends beyond her own children to any youngsters in the city of Columbus who want to play, no matter their gender or geography. 
 
"Columbus Ice Hockey Club is a development team,” Wyse said. “It's taking in those kids who may not know how to skate, you know, and we take those kids and we work with those kids and we teach them.”  

For Wyse, the biggest goal is just to get kids on the ice, especially those who may not live near a rink.  

“Just to be able to have that opportunity to reach inner-city kids and give them that opportunity,” Wyse said. “You need money to do it." 

Now, the NHL is coming off the bench to give an assist. During the week of the Stadium Series game between the Blue Jackets and Red Wings, CIHC became the first-ever recipient of the “Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey" which came with a $50,000 donation.  

"The Columbus Ice Hockey Club, just going there and meeting everyone they've done just, without the grant, like such an amazing job of creating this family,” said Haley Skarupa, the NHL Foundation’s U.S. ambassador and U.S. hockey Olympic gold medalist. “And that's kind of like the goal, which is why when we when we're like, this is just like a slam dunk. We trust that they will use that to build on what they’ve already created.” 

"They have introduced thousands of girls to the sport of hockey,” said Kim Davis, the President of the NHL Foundation U.S. and NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs. “They have coupled with developing life skills, developing leadership skills, showing that hockey can contribute to building stronger, more vibrant communities. And so they have demonstrated the impact of the work that they've been doing." 
 
Wyse said receiving the grant was a complete surprise. 

"It's an honor because we're the first girls hockey program to receive this. So it's just like, you know, it takes your breath away because it's exciting and it's going to help us in so many ways,” she said.  

She also hopes it’s going to help the sport grow, and along with that, help young girls – well, really help any child in Columbus – grow and stand on their own two skates, like her daughters.  

"You know, that self-esteem, that confidence,” Wyse said with a smile. “You know, you go out and sometimes you might be the only girl. In my case, I had two, but it’s just, you know, that they're proud."