The annual contest, open to youth hockey players (ages 8-12) from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland, asks players to submit a brief essay explaining how they demonstrate leadership, teamwork, hard work, dedication, community involvement, friendship, or respect. From the entries submitted, only 11 are selected as winners.
Ligda plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 10U Girls team and on the Beaver Badgers Squirt A Major 1 youth team. While attending a U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Clinic at PPG Paints Arena, Ligda saw a promotion for the Junior Starter Contest and decided to enter.
Her essay discussed her community involvement, dedication and respect, as well as her leadership skills and the importance of being a positive teammate and a good friend.
As a Junior Starter, Ligda will receive two (2) tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins home game; a gift bag including a $25 DICK’s Sporting Goods gift card, lanyard and water bottle; and an opportunity to watch pre-game warm-ups from the Zamboni tunnel. The contest is sponsored by DICK’s Sporting Goods
Ligda will also be recognized on the ice during the singing of the National Anthem at the Pittsburgh Penguins game against the Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, at PPG Paints Arena.
For more information, visit https://pittsburghpenguins.formstack.com/forms/dick_s_sporting_goods_jr_starter.