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Our Story
The South's first girls-only youth league
Founded in the spring of 2019 so girls in the Southeast could play the game on their own terms.
Our mission
Strong players. Strong leaders.
2019Founded
12Organizations
30Teams
417Players
4States
The Southern Girls Hockey League (SGHL) is the first girls-only youth ice hockey league in the Southeastern United States, founded unofficially in the spring of 2019.
Our mission is to provide girls in the South opportunities to play hockey and develop into strong female leaders, with a focus on creating a safe, fun, and challenging environment for development both on and off the ice.
We believe in the power of every girl to embrace her potential, define her future, and positively impact the world through hockey.
What we believe
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Leadership team
The SGHL is guided by a volunteer leadership team committed to growing opportunities for girls' hockey across the South, bringing together decades of playing, coaching and organizational experience.
SG
Co-Founder / PresidentSondra (Pacey) Grant
As a former Division I player at RPI and current Hockey Director for the CFHC Lady Bears, Sondra (Pacey) Grant knows firsthand the impact hockey can have on a young athlete’s life. That passion inspired her to co-found the SGHL, where she now serves as the President. Driven by the belief that girls in the South deserve the same opportunities to play, compete, and grow through the game, Sondra has been a tireless force in building the league into a place where players can chase their goals and find lifelong confidence both on and off the ice.
Bringing four years of professional social media marketing experience and a lifetime of rink experience to the SGHL, Jenny serves as the league’s Vice President and Social Media Director. Growing up as a figure skater alongside her hockey-playing brother, she has transitioned seamlessly into her role as a scorekeeper at her local rink and a hockey mom to three—with two children currently playing and the third ready to lace up their skates. Jenny loves using her background to celebrate and elevate girls' youth hockey, and in her rare moments of downtime, she enjoys escaping to Disney with her family.
Michele Mildenstein is returning to the SGHL for her second year as the Scheduler for the SGHL, combining her professional background in finance with years of service to youth hockey. She has held leadership roles as Director of Finance at High Key and Mr Bing Foods and has been an active parent volunteer with the Central Florida Bears program. With her son competing in travel hockey throughout the U.S., Michele brings both organizational expertise and firsthand knowledge of the game’s demands to her role.
Mindy Carreras is the Team Manager for the 8/10 CFHC Lady Bears and a passionate advocate for girls' sports. A former softball athlete, coach, and current travel hockey parent, she focuses on building confidence, teamwork, and leadership in young athletes. Mindy holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has spent over 22 years in corporate leadership. She blends strong organizational skills with extensive volunteering in youth ministries, schools, and charities to mentor and support the next generation.
Richard Downes serves as the SGHL's Webmaster. Originally from Canada, he and his daughter Libby both learned to play hockey while living in Dubai, and it's been a family passion ever since. After settling in Florida, Richard found himself back at the rink as Libby continued playing, now in the SGHL. Grateful for everything the league has done for her, he stepped up as Webmaster to give back and help the SGHL keep growing. When he's not maintaining the site, you'll usually find him at the rink, cheering her on.
Our players and coaches have gone on to play and coach at the college level, from club teams to Division III and NCAA Division I. Thank you to every college that's given an SGHL player her next shift.
