By Steve Morris

Girls in Rush City want to play hockey, says a semi-annual survey analyzed by activities director Bob Schlagel.

For the second time in two months Schlagel presented to the Rush City school board a proposal to join the Chisago Lakes/ Pine City girls hockey co-op.

At the May 17 meeting, the school board denied the proposal with a rare a 3-3 tie. This time around minds changed and the board approved the proposal with a vote of 6-0 to join the hockey co-op with Chisago Lakes/ Pine City. Next, the school board will draft a letter of request and send it to both schools for review.

Tim Peterson of Rock Creek has two daughters who play hockey and attend Rush City High School. His daughters, along with Jasirae Novak, play youth hockey and lead the team in scoring and assists. Peterson, who is the secretary of the Pine City Youth Hockey Board, said the three girls would be a fine addition to the Chisago Lakes/Pine City team.

ìThey want to play high school hockey in the worst way,î he said.

If a co-op didnít work out, Peterson would not rule out the possibility of his daughters open enrolling at Pine City. That said, Peterson said he is pleased with the Rush City school board ëstepping up the to plateí to deal with the issue.

ìI am glad the board rethought the entire situation,î he said. ìI was glad to get over this first hurdle.î

To add a personal touch to the issue Chelsea and Ariel Peterson, along with Novak each wrote letters to the school board expressing their disappointment and desire to play high school hockey. Not having the same opportunities as the boys, was a common concern in the letters. Junior forward Chelsea Peterson wrote, ìWhat I do not understand is that boys from Rush City have the opportunity to play at the high school level and we do not. It seems very unfair.î

The letters may have had an impact, with three board members changing their votes at the June 15 meeting.

Chisago Lakes activities director Perry Aadland said the Chisago Lakes school board wonít discuss the issue until their next board meeting on July 13. He said August would be the soonest a decision would be made.

Board members will need time to talk with players, coaches and others involved before they make any decisions, he said.

ìThere are a lot of hoops to jump through,î he said. ìWe are going to look out for our kids first.î

Pine City, the North Suburban Conference and the Minnesota State High School League all need to approve the co-op. Chisago Lakes has co-ops for their girls soccer team and down hill skiing team.

If everything goes through, the Peterson and Novak families will have a significant time commitment. Jim Peterson said it would be around a 40-minute commute one way for practice each day ñ five days a week. The school would not provide any transportation for the girls. It would be a sacrifice, he added.

Currently, girls in the Rush City school district do not have the option to play hockey. If they want to play hockey, their only option would be to attend a high school that offers girls hockey. Schlagel said a girls hockey co-op is in the best interest of the kids.

ìI believe in it; I think itís a good thing,î he said. ìItís an opportunity for the kids.î

Peterson said he is thankful for support and encouragement Schlagel has given during the process.

ìHe goes out of his way to do things for students,î he said.

The idea for a Rush City girls hockey co-op is not a new thing.

Around a year and a half ago a co-op with Pine City and Mora was attempted but failed. Schlagel said it failed for two reasons; they were unable to get enough games and the idea of getting players to play for an inexperienced program was difficult.

An issue some have with a girls hockey co-op is the possibility of other programs declining in quality because girls choose to play hockey. Rush City is a small school and doesnít have the luxury of dozens of athletes to pick from. Schlagel said there are six or seven girls now who are interested in playing hockey for Rush City.

ìThe No. 1 option right now is to join with Chisago Lakes,î Schlagel told the school board.

If Rush City doesnít connect with another team through a co-op, they may risk having some of the students leave the district.

School Board members said they are concerned about fairness and offering both genders equal opportunities. Board member Pat Schommer voted against the proposal the first time but voted for it the second time.

ìI have mixed feelings,î she said.

Girls hockey in Pine City is growing. Peterson said girls participation has grown faster than boys in Pine City.

Last season the Chisago Lakes/ Pine City hockey team finished the season with a 14-9 record. Two seasons ago the team finished one win away from the state tournament. Aadland said the two teams have played as a co-op for more than 10 years.

In 1994 Minnesota become the first state to sanction girls hockey as an varsity sport. Twenty four teams played the first year.