Ice Hockey: Allison Palmer Finds Her Place on the Ice

In the special environment that surrounds a hockey club, chemistry and camaraderie are large components. Phoenixville has a unique component in that mix: a sophomore by the name of Allison Palmer.

The diminutive Palmer, who has played hockey since she could wear skates largely due to the influence of big brother Matthew who got her into the game, loves the intensity and physicality of ice hockey. She has made an attempt to join the ranks of the female athlete population but has yet to find a sport that pushes her like hockey.

“I love being part of the team,” said Palmer. “I have tried girls’ sports like field hockey and lacrosse. They just weren’t physical enough for me. My lacrosse coach used to tell me to hold back all of the time. There is something special about an ice hockey team. The ice, the bench, the locker room, it’s just different than any other sport.”

When girls take the field, track or, in this case the ice in what is typically a male-driven sport, there are sometimes questions surrounding her motives. A girl in a guys sport, why? What kind of statement is she trying to make? Aren't there enough sports for "girls " to play?

In Allison Palmer's case, the statement she is making is simple: she loves to play ice hockey.

It happens more often than once thought, as it is not unusual to see a female suited up with the football team or even ocassionally girls on a wrestling team. The part of the equation that makes Palmer's story noteworthy is the amount of contribution she makes to overall performance of the team.

“Are you kidding? She's tough," said Phantoms' captain Corey Smith when asked about Palmer's ability to keep up with the guys. "I wouldn't want to play against her. She skates really well and isn't afraid to mix it up with anyone. We've played together since middle school, and I am glad she 's on my team."

Unlike a "token" player on a football squad, Palmer not only dresses every game but is a second line winger, logging equal ice time as her male counterparts. With her long brown hair in a ponytail flying in the breeze, Palmer doesn't hesitate when she sees a chance to put the opposition into the boards.

"It’s funny when the other teams don’t think I will hit them," said Palmer. "But they catch on fast. It's great to see their reaction when they look around to see who took the puck from them and they realize I'm a girl.”

In a world where it is still, all to often, not politically correct for girls to dare enter the domain of male sports, Palmer has received nothing but admiration and support from friends at school, teammates and even her best friends.

“My friends know me pretty well,” added the 107-pound winger. “They know I love to play and they come to watch me at games and always ask about the games in school. My teammates are awesome and it is so cool that they consider me one of the guys out there."

Palmer, at the Phantoms most recent game against Pope John Paul II High School, recorded arguably the three best “hits” of the night as she worked in the offensive zone, digging the puck out of the boards and pressing Golden Panthers' defenders against the dasher, making space for mates to attack the crease.

“Allison is great,” said coach Denny Mullin. “She has played with us since middle school, the other kids just love her and she works her butt off in practices, which is why she get so much ice time during the games. "

The next time Palmer and her beloved Phantoms will be in action is Friday night, when they play Lower Merion at Center Ice in Oaks.