By Izabela Gage Sports Editor On a chilly Saturday morning at Loring Arena, people of all ages lace up their skates to get on the ice. Four of Framingham State's men’s and women’s ice hockey players are lacing up theirs, too, getting ready for another fun day of work. For Kalina Cochran, Jordan Guigui, Anna McGinty, and Tyler Westfall, their week of academic study is over, but their work hasn’t ended. They are now able to give back to their hockey community by teaching “Learn to Skate” lessons. While the age groups each instructor is assigned can vary, each player teaches groups ranging from five-year-olds to adults. The “Learn to Skate” lessons at Loring Arena are a six-week program with two sessions per week on Saturdays. The instructors are given a set of skills that the Framingham Parks and Recreation Department would like to be taught to each group of skaters, depending on their age and skill level. At the end of the program, the students are evaluated on whether they can do those tasks, according to Guigui. Teaching these lessons has become more than just a job for these student-athletes - it’s a way to reconnect with the roots of their hockey journeys and help out a community that has welcomed them with open arms. Guigui said, “Seeing kids go from barely being able to stand on the ice to confidently skating is really rewarding. Their excitement when they finally get the hang of it makes it all worth it.” Westfall said he’s always happy to see the progress of the adults’ skills throughout the program. “I find it’s a little easier sometimes to explain things to adults and so the progress they make is really enjoyable to watch.” He said the kids he instructs are always “bundles of energy. … They often say really random things that make me giggle.” Cochran said her favorite part about teaching lessons is “seeing how excited the kids get to be on the ice and learn new skills.” Guigui said he wants to be the coach who makes skating a fun and encouraging experience. “Some kids might be nervous or discouraged, but if I can help them push through that and make skating something they love, that’s a huge win. For the kids, it’s a mix of excitement and accomplishment when they start to get better, and I think that builds confidence beyond just skating.” McGinty said her favorite part of teaching the lessons is creating a fun and engaging environment for all the skaters while they’re learning. “I like to joke around with them and form positive relationships. It tends to make them have more fun to feel like they know their instructors.” She said another fun part of the lessons is the 10 minutes of free skate at the end of the session where “everyone skates around to practice what they’ve just learned. “Kids that I’ve taught before who are now in more advanced groups get to come over and say hi and take a few laps with me and Kalina,” she added. Cochran said the instructors and skaters sometimes play games “as a fun way for the kids to practice what they learned.” Guigui said, “Kids look up to older players more than you might realize, and knowing that I can make a positive impact on their early experiences in hockey is a great feeling.” McGinty said teaching “Learn to Skate” is a chance to create positive, lasting memories for young skaters. “My dad had a big part in teaching me how to skate since he played hockey his whole life. … I remember his positivity, optimism, and encouragement. “I want to leave the same lasting impression on my kids. I want them to know that it’s perfectly normal to struggle or get frustrated, but that it’s not as scary as it seems. … I think it’s very important to give each and every kid a positive experience, and I can see how much fun they have when they are given that,” she added. The lessons go beyond teaching skating techniques, patience, and resilience. It’s these relationships that are built through mentorship and shared time on the ice that make the experience special to the players and new skaters. Westfall said he doesn’t go out of his way to share he’s on the Framingham State men’s ice hockey team. “It is nice to be more a part of the community - especially given that this has been home away from home for the last four years. “Not all the kids are interested in hockey, but in some ways, that’s nicer because there isn’t any pressure to be a hockey player or live up to those expectations,” he added. Guigui said teaching “Learn to Skate” has been a consistent part of his Framingham experience. He said he took over the role after it was passed down to him by seniors during his freshman year, and he has carried on the tradition ever since. Men’s ice hockey Head Coach Michael Bailey said he doesn’t know exactly when FSU hockey players started teaching in the program, but “previous members have been involved going back 5 or 6 years.” Westfall said the sense of connection has been meaningful. “Since my freshman year, two guys from the team have helped out with ‘Learn to Skate.’ Last year, it was our captain, Patrick Colgan, and Jordan Guigui. Since Patrick graduated, Jordan asked if I’d want to replace him, and I happily agreed.” Cochran had a different introduction to the program. “I got involved with ‘Learn to Skate’ at Loring because I was looking for a job in Framingham, and since I’m always at Loring already, I applied. I just started this fall.” She said growing up in Maryland, a state not exactly known for its hockey culture, she learned to skate through “Learn to Skate” lessons. “I still remember when I was in lessons, and it’s a really rewarding way to give back to the sport.” McGinty said Cochran found out about the position and “asked if I wanted to do it with her. … I started a little after Kalina.” Guigui said he remembers how frustrating learning to skate could be at times, but having an instructor who made sure he “laughed and enjoyed every lesson” gave him the motivation to come back even when he struggled. “There was that one breakthrough moment when everything clicked, and I finally felt like I was really skating,” he said. Bailey said, “My best advice to someone learning to skate would be to have fun with it, don't take yourself too seriously, and make sure you are wearing good skates that fit correctly. I think positive reinforcement is super important to have fun. Enjoy the experience and keep your goals reasonable.” Westfall said, “My Learn to Play coach was named Coach Ben and funnily enough, when I went home and was helping to teach Learn to Play, he was still there so it was a real full-circle moment for me.” Cochran said, “I had a really great coach when I started playing who found unique ways to help his players improve. He was able to make us work while having fun. I hope I can do the same thing for the kids I teach.” Bailey said as Guigui and Westfall’s coach, he is thrilled to know they are helping out the community. “The members of our team are so well-rounded and have so much to offer in all aspects of life. They get the big picture and know how important it is to add to the community.” Guigui said he appreciates having the chance to give back with these lessons. “It also helps build connections with the local hockey community. Plus, it’s fun and we learn a lot about leadership and coaching.” Westfall said, “Because Jordan and I are graduating, we’re going to find some replacements from the team. … Since guys from the hockey team have been doing this since my freshman year, I’d love to see that tradition continue.” McGinty said, “It would be great if more of our hockey players got involved in the skating youth.” For these student-athletes, Loring Arena is a place where connections are made, lessons are learned, and the community comes together. It’s not always about the wins or losses of games. Whether they’re teaching a wobbly five-year-old how to stand on skates or giving advice to a determined adult, they’re building something that goes beyond hockey.
