Author: Vanderbilt Hockey

“Women Warriors” Film Features VU Hockey Mom Ruth Kaminsky

As any hockey player knows, pursuing the sport we love takes not only personal commitment and hard work but also support from dedicated parents and family members. It is with this thought in mind that we proudly launch a new section of our site for the 2011/12 season titled “The VU Hockey Family.” I am excited and humbled to kick off this tradition with a few quick words about my wonderful family and, in particular, my mother Ruth.

Woman Warrior with a Cause

In the summer of 2004, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the support of family and friends, and her larger than life spirituality and grit, she conquered the disease. Four years later, the cancer struck once more. In stride, she arose victorious yet again.

For a team whose rallying mantra in 2010/11 was “resilience,” my Vanderbilt hockey experience served as an extension of the off-ice courage and strength my family members have demonstrated for close to a decade now. My mother’s determination throughout her struggle continues to bolster my commitment to life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Nowhere does that feeling come to life more than on the ice with my Vanderbilt hockey teammates. It’s my honor and privilege to share this inspiration with the masses via this platform as I know others can glean strength from her personal fortitude.

My kid sister, Allie, created the following video documenting her and my mother’s 40-mile trek across our nation’s capital as part of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer last May. More than highlights from their journey, this video is a story about love, perseverance, and the undeniable presence of a higher power.

Please take a few moments to watch. I know I speak for myself, my family, and the Ice Hockey ‘Dores club when I say that the courage of my mother and other victims of this horrible disease is an inspiration for us all (as my mom always says) to stop looking for reasons why not to do things, but rather for reasons to simply start doing. Our club is proud to contribute to awareness of this battle in some small part and sends our very best wishes and heartfelt prayers to everyone struggling with the disease.

To donate to the Avon Foundation for Women, please visit the organization’s site today by clicking here or visiting www.avonwalk.org.

VU Hockey Supports the Nashville Predators Foundation

The Vanderbilt Ice Hockey Club is proud to support the Nashville Predators Foundation, an organization that strives to meet the educational, social, health and cultural needs of our community by offering unique resources and financial support to local youth-oriented organizations.

For more information about the foundation specifically or the Nashville Predators team in general, please click any of the following links:

Official Team Site
Nashville Predators Foundation
Predators Facebook Page

Vanderbilt Hockey League Affiliations

The South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SECHC)
The SECHC is about to enter its third season as a representative body of 11 teams participating in Division III of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The 11 teams are club ice hockey programs at the universities that make up the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in NCAA athletics (with the exception of Kentucky, who participates in Division II).  Learn More >>

The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA)
The purpose of the ACHA is to support quality, unity and regulation of intercollegiate hockey programs nationwide.  Founded in 1991, the league quickly grew to include over 150 teams in three men’s divisions.  The Women’s Division 2 was added in 2006, and the ACHA currently boasts five divisions with over 375 teams from across the nation.  Learn More >>

VU Hockey Tops UT 6-2, Wins Inaugural I-40 Face-Off

Vanderbilt’s club hockey team shook off the rust from a month and a half of inaction and capped off its season in style on Saturday afternoon with a dominant 6-2 victory over Tennessee in the inaugural I-40 Face Off at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.

Kyle McCann and Ben Loss each had two goals for the Commodores, who finished their 2010-2011 season with a 15-3-1 record with the win. Goalies Brenden Oliver and Mackie Anderson split time in net, and each came up with big saves on odd-man rushes to preserve the Vanderbilt lead.

Read more, article by Eric Single, at InsideVandy.com >>