Don’t even mention the words “junk food” to Troy Youth Hockey Association Director of Girls Hockey Beth Babbie.

This association in suburban Detroit focuses on being healthy off the ice in order to be successful on it.

“We talk to them about vitamins, the proper way to eat and what to drink,” Babbie said. “We also stress to each of our coaches that we want them to do off-ice conditioning and emphasize the proper things to eat.”

Teaching these lessons to young players is particularly important, Babbie said. Having good habits pays off down the road.

“We want to teach them the right way to eat as well as skate so they won’t have any issues whey they get older,” Babbie said. “We’d rather do that instead of winning a million games.”

Babbie said that players are taught to reduce their intake of sugar, starch and fat on game days. The association also promotes eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

“We try to encourage our girls to develop a love of fresh produce,” Babbie said. “We want healthy eating to become a life-long habit. Our girls must learn the value of these foods.”

On the ice, Lady Sting coaches and administrators stress the importance of teamwork. While everybody loves to score goals, girls who set up the play are just as valuable as the ones who shoot the puck into a net.

“It’s important that we teach the kids this is a team sport and not an individual sport,” Babbie said. “If we win, we win as a team. Everybody gets credit and conversely everybody is responsible for a loss.

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