Lady Pucks expand women’s hockey program
The Lucky Pucks Women’s Ice Hockey Club continues to enjoy success on and off the ice.
Utilizing area rinks in Pompano Beach and Coral Springs, the club keeps its blades sharp with both recreational and competitive action. Later this month, the Lady Pucks’ B/C Division squad will be defending its title at an invitational tournament in Baltimore. There are also plans to meet challenges from teams as far away as in California.
The organization recently added coed and 30-over national to its roster of teams that already consisted of 40-over, B/C and recreational contingents.
The Lady Pucks are members of the Florida Women’s Hockey League, and Coconut Creek resident Karen Ota-O’Brien is one of the skaters who took to the ice when the then-Fort Lauderdale Freeze established a tournament team in 1995.
Ota-O’Brien, originally from British Columbia, has been a part of some memorable achievements, including the Lady Pucks being the reigning 2014 Florida State Champions along with gold-and silver-medal-clinching efforts by the national champion 40-over squad.
“Hockey is fun, and we enjoy great camaraderie,” Ota-O’Brien said. “Ironically, I didn’t start playing hockey until I got down here. … Whenever I lace up those skates, I say there is no way I am quitting. We have a Girls Night Out event every Monday night at Glacier Ice Arena (Pompano) and welcome players of all skill levels.”
Elaine Luzano, of Wilton Manors, has been with the Lucky Pucks for the last nine years. She played club hockey for Ohio State University.
“If hockey was not in my life, there would be something miss- ing,” Luzano said. “I can’t walk away from this; I love being on the ice with my team.”
For more information, visit www.luckypuckshockey.org.
Corporate 5K Run draws record numbers to Las Olas
The 30th annual MercedesBenz Corporate 5K Run in downtown Fort Lauderdale had a record number of participants.
A total of 7,668 runners and walkers representing 293 companies hit the streets in the area around Las Olas Boulevard to raise money for charities.
Evan DeHart, an employee of Moss Construction, emerged as the top male finisher with a time of just over 16 minutes, while Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue lifeguard Jillian Kenney took top honors among the women (20:21). Don Wennerstrom of Running Wild (18:44) and Erica Gulrich of HCA (21:31) earned male and female CEO division accolades.
The race was initiated by Hans and Laurie Huseby in1985 as a way to promote and educate their fellow employees at Manufacturers Hanover on the benefits of fitness. Hans Huseby recently died, but his