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MAHA mourns the loss of Karen Lundgren

By MAHA Staff, 01/31/17, 7:45PM EST

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The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association is saddened to learn of Karen Lundgren’s passing.

Lundgren was a longtime promoter of girls’ and women’s hockey, beginning with MAHA in the early 1980s. She then served as a USA Hockey Section Director of girls’ and women’s hockey for 15 years before becoming Director Emeritus in 2010.

The USAH Director Emeritus was a personal milestone for Lundgren – she was the first woman ever appointed to the position, and it was a long-coveted accomplishment for the youth hockey advocate.

 “She was an early pioneer among USA Hockey volunteers who focused on the overall growth of girls’ and women’s hockey in the United States,” MAHA Vice President of Girls’ and Women’s Hockey Jean Laxton said. “As the director of the girls’ and women’s section for 15 years, Karen’s efforts behind the scene, at the district level and national stage, helped shape the programming we have today.”

Lundgren was also a founding member of the Michigan Capitals girls’ team in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

She received MAHA’s highest honor in 1998 - the William Kellogg Award - for her contributions and service to hockey.

Lundgren passed away on Jan. 25 at home with her family.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Karen’s family.

“I’m glad to have been part of seeing the growth for the females,” Lundgren once said. “It’s like `If you build it they will come.’ If you expose the girls to it, see how much fun it is and they will go play.”