At Augsburg University’s hockey arena in Minneapolis, women ranging from 18 to 74 years old gather to participate in a summer league dedicated to their love for the sport. Leading the charge is Sue Ring-Jarvi, a hockey veteran with over five decades of experience.
“I love hockey more than any other sport,” Ring-Jarvi stated, expressing her enduring passion. Since 1974, she has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for women who share her enthusiasm for the game.
Her journey began at the University of Minnesota, where she posted flyers in Cooke Hall and advertised in the campus newspaper to attract players. “I had 30 women who wanted to play,” she recalled, marking the genesis of the first Gopher women’s hockey club team, predating any NCAA-sanctioned program.
Thanks to the university’s support, they had access to ice time in the early mornings, allowing them to practice several times a week. This foundational team has since contributed to the Gopher women’s program achieving six NCAA championships.
“I’m really proud to be a part of the growth of girls’ hockey in Minnesota,” Ring-Jarvi reflected on her role in expanding the sport’s reach.
Today, at 74, Ring-Jarvi remains active, inspiring dozens of participants including Janal Petersen, aged 52, who recently returned from an MCL tear and manages osteoporosis.
“Just to have something to keep shooting for, to have to keep in shape, it really helps,” Petersen explained. The league serves not only as a fitness platform but also as a source of motivation, “other people are counting on you, you signed up, all that.”
The summer league is a family affair for some. Heidi Osendorf skates alongside her two daughters, Trista and Leah. “Always a dream come true. I always wanted to play sports with my kids,” Osendorf said, emphasizing the joy of sharing such experiences.
Trista noted, “If she can do it, I can do it.” Meanwhile, Leah found that her mother provides valuable lessons on and off the ice, commenting, “Oh, she teaches me a lot (laughs).”
Ring-Jarvi credits her mother for inspiring her own journey: “My mom started when she was 47 and she played until she was 81.” This experience underscores the notion that hockey is a lifelong pursuit.
For Ring-Jarvi, sharing the ice with younger players offers a refreshing perspective. “Not only are they keeping me young in movement, but they’re also keeping me young in activities, like my phone (laughs),” she remarked.
Her dedication to the sport remains unwavering, as she noted, “If you have a passion and a love for something, look at what you can build?” Recently, she published a book titled “Can You Keep Up? Fifty Years of Organizing, Playing and Coaching Women’s Hockey,” which is available online and at select sporting goods stores in St. Paul, Anoka, and Apple Valley.
Every week, Marielle Mohs shares stories that highlight women in sports from the Twin Cities and beyond. These inspirational narratives are featured every Friday evening on CBS News Minnesota.
