Atlantic Youth Hockey League

PITTSTON, PA —On October 7-8, USA Hockey will host a Girls Hockey Weekend. It will showcase and celebrate the booming population of girls hockey players, as well as provide an opportunity for girls to try hockey for the first time. In honor of this, we're going to be spotlighting one of the several talented girls who play AYHL hockey on a co-ed team alongside boys: Adalyn Faust. 

Several years ago, watching the Colorado Avalanche host a “Girl’s Hockey Night” of their own, young Adalyn's mind burned with a single question. She looked up at her father and asked: “Girls play hockey too?” Fast-forward to the present day, and she’s suiting up for the WB/Scranton Jr Knights in AYHL’s 12U Minor Division. 

Adalyn is one of several young women who play in AAA hockey alongside the boys. Why? Adalyn was determined to push herself to become a better player, and the elite level of competition in AYHL allows her to do just that. Her father, Brian, noticed a difference within a few practices, “Her skill level went through the roof.”

She’s far removed from where she was when she first tried out for the Knights. Mr. Faust recalls that the pair’s original goal was to make an AA team, but figured they’d give AAA tryouts a shot just to see what happened. Amazingly, Adalyn impressed coaches in her tryouts, and earned a spot on the Knights for the 2023-2024 season. 

Adalyn made the team through her talent and determination, but Mr. Faust gives the Knights organization a lot of credit for keeping her there. “If we didn’t have such supportive teammates and coaches — and the Knights have awesome coaches — she would’ve really struggled.” Playing against boys can be a challenging experience, but Mr. Faust asserts that Adalyn’s fellow Knights have been nothing of supportive, “We’ve never had a [negative] experience like that. Her teammates have been terrific.”  

Adalyn also plays on an all-girls team, the “Lady Knights”. Although right now her AYHL team takes most of her focus, her father anticipates that she’ll switch to all-girls competition full time once she reaches 12 years old, as that’s the age when checking is introduced. Past that, Adalyn already has ambitions of playing hockey in college. AYHL takes pride in giving young women like Adalyn the support systems and confidence to play the sport they love. To learn more about USA Hockey's Girls Hockey Weekend or to register, you can visit their website here.