WHAT ARE NHL POWER PLAYERS?

NHL Power Players is an initiative focused on selecting young hockey fans to help advise the League on hockey-related topics important to their generation.

Our goal is to attract more youth to the game of hockey, and for the past five seasons qualified applicants between the ages of 13-17 were chosen to be NHL Power Players. These young fans have the opportunity to have their voice heard directly by the NHL, learn about the business side of sports and develop lasting friendships with board members.

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Think you can be an NHL Power Player? Learn more about the program, and email us at [email protected] with questions, or to receive information about becoming a member.

Meet The 2023-24 NHL Power Players

Barrett Beimdiek

Age 17 | St. Louis, MO

Barrett is from St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up playing hockey and watching the St. Louis Blues with his father, a lifelong hockey player who introduced him to the sport. Barrett is a junior at St. Louis Priory School where he has played varsity hockey all three years in addition to playing on club teams. He is a USA Hockey Level 4 Official who has worked top-level games in his area. Last year, he was selected as one of two local youth officials to skate with an NHL crew during a Blues vs. Maple Leafs pregame warmup at Enterprise Center.

Outside of hockey, Barrett was a founder of his school's Sports Media Club which highlights every varsity sports schedule, game, and athlete. He is a manager of his school's official athletics social media account and prepares content to display on scoreboards and school TVs. He hopes to use this opportunity with the NHL to pursue a career in Sports Management. Barrett is excited to work with the League to grow the game among his peers and learn valuable skills to improve his work.

Sarah Berube

Age 16 | Warwick, RI

Sarah Berube, a junior at Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island, is a passionate Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken hockey fan, inspired by her father. Despite not playing hockey, she deeply appreciates the sport.

A natural leader, Sarah captains her high school’s varsity basketball team and also excels in varsity soccer and softball, showcasing her athletic versatility. She serves as the Student Activities Leader at her high school, managing social media pages for her teams and collaborating on posts.

Notably, Sarah was selected to participate in A Shot for Life, an organization raising funds for cancer research by showcasing the top basketball shooters from each state. This experience demonstrates her talent and commitment to using sports for the greater good.

With her sights set on a career in sports marketing or sports communications, Sarah is eager to leverage her vast experiences to further her understanding and passion for the field.

Loki Brown

Loki Brown is a sophomore dance major at Westinghouse Arts Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has been dancing for 12 years and figure skating for five. He also marches with his high school band as the woodwind captain, playing the clarinet, and has been in Winter Guard for two years. He is very involved in the performing arts, having worked with multiple professional theater and ballet companies as a Stage Manager. A lifelong scout, he has done many service projects for his community. In his free time, he loves reading, making art, and listening to music.

Loki has been a hockey fan since before he can remember. He is a lifelong Pittsburgh Penguins season ticket holder and even sat in the Stanley Cup when the Penguins won it in 2009. Loki is excited to help bring other people the joy that hockey has brought him.

Jenna Carreau

Age 17 | West Vancouver, BC

Born in Calgary, Jenna grew up playing ice hockey before switching to field hockey after moving to Vancouver. Despite the move, Jenna has remained a loyal Calgary Flames fan and enjoys watching games in her free time. Aside from hockey, Jenna plays varsity basketball for her school and takes on leadership roles like running her school’s business organization and book club.

She is excited to contribute her ideas to NHL Power Players, focusing on making hockey more accessible and engaging for young fans, particularly girls. Looking ahead, Jenna aims to build a career in sports marketing.

Annabel Curry

Age 17 | Chestnut Hill, MA

Annabel is a second-year NHL Power Player from Boston, Massachusetts. She is also a senior at Phillips Academy Andover where she spends her time playing sports, writing for the school sports newspaper, and as co-head for the Advocates for Diverse-Abilities board. Two of Annabel's passions are sports analytics and writing about history, specifically on the intersection between race and sports. She is excited for another season of Power Players and to continue sharing her ideas on how to bring more diversity and accessibility to the league.

Kirsten Glasgow

Age 16 | Scarborough, ON

Kirsten, a 16-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, is a passionate advocate for hockey. Despite not coming from a hockey-centric background, her love for the sport blossomed after watching the 2023 World Juniors and cheering on Team Canada. In between her busy schedule of school activities, including soccer, field hockey, dance, and leadership roles, hockey has become a cherished escape for Kirsten.

Looking ahead, Kirsten aims to join her school’s athletic association and has aspirations of studying abroad for post-secondary education, with interests in majors like sports communications, psychology, and journalism. She is excited to be a member of the Power Players Youth Advisory Board, where she hopes to contribute ideas on how to promote hockey and make it more accessible to everyone.

Brandon Grill

Age 16 | North York, ON

Brandon Grill is a dedicated Toronto Maple Leafs fan and an avid hockey player from Toronto, ON. He has been involved in competitive hockey since grade three and currently plays as a left winger for the Forest Hill Force team. In addition to his passion for hockey, Brandon is also involved in rep baseball and serves as a certified umpire. He has been an active member of his school’s Athletic Council since grade nine and enjoys the leadership opportunities it provides.

One of Brandon's notable contributions is his coordination of a used hockey equipment drive for Indigenous Youth, which has been a significant initiative for his family. The drive successfully collected a large amount of equipment that was delivered to Indigenous communities across Canada, allowing more individuals to enjoy the sport he loves. Brandon is looking forward to further sharing his passion for hockey with Power Players and continuing his efforts to make the sport accessible to all.

Rosie Gumina

Age 18 | Conifer, CO

Rosie is a senior at a small mountain town school in Colorado. She is actively involved in peer counseling, HOSA, and DECA and thoroughly enjoys participating in these activities. Rosie is also passionate about sports and was the manager and social media manager of the baseball team last year. She aspires to major in sports management and business administration in college, with the hopes of pursuing a career in the sports industry. Rosie is a devoted fan of the New York Rangers and New York sports in general.

Beckett Hawthorne

Age 13 | Aurora, ON

Beckett Hawthorne, a 13-year-old from Aurora, Ontario, is passionate about sports, especially hockey. He started playing organized hockey as soon as he learned how to skate and currently represents his local novice AAA hockey team, the York-Simcoe Express.

In addition to hockey, Beckett also enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, and track and field during the school year, and golfing and fishing during the summers. He is a gifted student and a compassionate young man who has been actively involved in organizing fundraisers and charitable campaigns. Notably, Beckett initiated a “Be A Buddy, Not A Bully” crusade at the age of 8, raising awareness and thousands of dollars to help kids in Ontario and across Canada.

He has been recognized for his leadership qualities and positive attitude by his coaches, teachers, and peers. Beckett is eager to join the Power Players this year, believing that any time spent promoting the game of hockey, especially to those yet to be exposed to it, is time well spent.

Hailey Howard

Age 15 | Woodstock, GA

Hailey is a sophomore at River Ridge High School in Woodstock, Georgia. She's a passionate student involved in various activities like cheerleading, Student Government Association, Media Club, National Beta Club, Literary Magazine, and DECA. She's currently studying Sports and Entertainment Marketing and hopes to pursue a career in this field.

Outside of school, Hailey enjoys social media management, sports photography, acting, and dancing. She's also active in volunteering at local schools, community arts organizations, and her local theater.

Hailey is excited about her first season as an NHL Power Player. She's interested in learning more about the NHL and finding ways to make the sport more inclusive. Despite living in an area where hockey isn't prevalent, she's looking to get more involved in her local youth hockey community and inspire the next generation.

John Huth

Age 17 | Wayne, NJ

John is a 17-year-old first-year Power Player from New Jersey, where he is a senior in High School at Passaic County Tech STEM Academy. He is a four-year varsity athlete in both Hockey and Golf.

John is an avid fan of the New York Rangers, attending his first game at Madison Square Garden when he was just three years old and his passion for hockey and the Rangers grew from there. He has played travel hockey since he was six and currently plays for the Montclair Blues. A highlight for John was being captain of his team at the Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament in 2020.

Giving back to the community is important to John and he has had a longstanding involvement with several charities including the American Legion, Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children, and the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation (HLF). With HLF John has served as an Ambassador, Mentor, and HLFYA Alumni Service Event Liaison of the Alumni group.

In addition, John loves collecting sports cards, playing video games, and following professional sports.

Micah Jenkins

Age 16 | Northfield, IL

Micah Jenkins is a 16-year-old from Illinois who has been playing hockey since 4th grade and watching it for even longer. He first got interested in the sport after watching his older cousin play and learning more about the game from his dad. As he became more serious about playing and being a fan, he started finding ways to get more involved in the game. His mom introduced him to Power Players, and he thought it would be a great opportunity to enhance his experiences as both a player and a fan. Micah, currently a sophomore in high school, plays for his high school team, New Trier. His goal is to play in juniors or college in the future before pursuing a career in the NHL because he's passionate about working in hockey for the rest of his life. Before falling in love with hockey, he also played soccer, baseball, and basketball, but hockey is his main focus.

Now in his second year as a Power Player, he aims to help popularize the sport among kids in his area and increase his involvement with the NHL. He's looking forward to a great year ahead.

Eva Jurcevic

Age 17 | Hillsdale, NJ

Eva Jurcevic, from Hillsdale, New Jersey, is a lifelong Rangers fan who has been attending games at the World’s Most Famous Arena since she was six. While she loves watching all sports, hockey is her favorite. Eva’s passion for the sport has motivated her to pursue a career in sports management. She is eager to learn more about League operations and hopes to inspire the younger generation's interest in hockey as part of the Power Players board this season.

Eva is heavily involved in academics and extracurricular activities. She is a captain for her school’s robotics team, serves as a student ambassador, and is the President of the Slavic Baltic Cultural Society. She is also a student-athlete, excelling in varsity fencing and golf.

Outside of school, Eva is an active volunteer and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and playing tennis. She is excited about her second season as a Power Player and looks forward to sharing her ideas and passion for the sport with the rest of the board.

Eric Koerner

Age 16 | Eagan, MN

Eric Koerner, a Minnesota native, grew up rooting for the Minnesota Wild. Watching his favorite team inspired him to play hockey. He began his hockey career with the NHL’s Little Wild Program at the age of five and has played ever since. At this young age, Eric gravitated to the goaltender position; he’s now entering his eleventh season and ninth between the pipes.

Eric is a sophomore at Eagan High School where he is an honor student and participates in Varsity Band, Baseball, Student Council, Spanish Club, and of course, Hockey. In his free time, he plays tennis or disc golf with friends, dabbles with new recipes, and creates digital media. He has been on four mission trips and worked side by side with members of the community, allowing him to gain a wider perspective of the world.

This is Eric’s first year as a Power Player. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow Board members to expand the fanbase and grow youth engagement in hockey.

Aubrey Lang

Age 15 | Minneapolis, MN

Aubrey Lang, from Richfield, Minnesota, is a dedicated Minnesota Wild fan and a skilled hockey player approaching her 11th year playing. She has competed across the country and has taken part in various hockey events and tournaments, including the NHL Winter Classic, Willie O’Ree Skills Weekend and the Amerigol LATAM International Hockey Tournament. Aubrey is committed to promoting hockey and increasing access to the sport through her volunteer work with organizations like the Minnesota Wild and the Mosaic Hockey Collective, a nonprofit she helped to create with her mom.

Aside from hockey, Aubrey enjoys reading, making friends, and traveling. She is also a Cadet Seaman in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps and has participated in military training.

Beyond her current endeavors, Aubrey aspires to earn her commercial pilot's license and has been involved in programs that expose youth to aerospace careers.

This year, Aubrey is honored to have the opportunity to work with NHL Power Players. She is looking forward to collaborating with other young people to help expand the NHL fanbase to all demographics.

Annie Zhihanyu Liu

Age 16 | Richmond, BC

A junior at Vancouver's York House School, Annie is an aspiring golfer on the North American and international golf tournament circuit, and most importantly, a loyal Vancouver Canucks fan. When she’s not on the golf course or studying, you’ll likely see her relaxing on a beach with a book in hand or re-watching Quinn Hughes highlights. As the captain of York House's Senior Golf team and the president of the Vancouver chapter of AndOneSports, an initiative providing underprivileged youth with access to sports equipment, Annie looks forward to making hockey more inclusive on both the local and international stages.

Jaxon Pang

Age 16 | Kapolei, HI

Jaxon Pang is a roller hockey player from Kapolei, Hawaii who has been skating for almost a decade. As a senior in high school, he absolutely loves everything about the sport of hockey, from the fast pace to the team play. Unfortunately, there are no professional sports in Hawaii, so he roots for the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks, as both teams have relevance in his hockey journey. Coming from a place that doesn’t have much hockey at all as well as being involved in a more abstract part of hockey, Jaxon brings a new perspective to the table. In his free time, he likes to play chess, piano, tennis, and basketball, alongside school, reading, making beats, and even creating and editing montage videos.

Adryana Piccolo

Age 17 | Rochester, MI

Adryana Piccolo from Rochester, Michigan, was born into a hockey-loving family. She is a lifelong Red Wings fan and enjoys going to as many games as possible with friends and family. She loves the speed and excitement of the game!

Adryana is currently a senior at Stoney Creek High School where she is a member of the figure skating and lacrosse teams. She is involved in Key Club and is the student manager of her school’s varsity hockey team. She hopes to attend the University of Michigan where she plans to major in Sports Management. Her dream is to someday work as an amateur scout for an NHL team. Adryana is very excited to be an NHL Power Player and can't wait to contribute her ideas and insight to the program.

Yurui Qin

Age 16 | Saskatoon, SK

Yurui is excited to be joining the NHL Power Players! The 16-year-old is an avid Edmonton Oilers fan. She enjoys playing with family and friends at her local outdoor rink, attending hockey games, and collecting memorabilia! Outside hockey, Yurui enjoys using her creativity to make devices and robots to aid her community. She has used her engineering and science skills at various events to represent her province nationally and Canada internationally. She also plays soccer competitively at her local club on her high school team. Yurui is looking forward to the new season!

Wyatt Ross

Age 15 | Land O’Lakes, FL

Wyatt is a high school sophomore and has been playing ice hockey since the age of four. He currently plays U16AA travel hockey for the Tampa Bay Hockey Club and he is the captain of his High School hockey team, the Cypress Creek Coyotes of the Lightning High School Hockey League (LHSHL). When he’s not playing hockey (or College Football 25 on his PlayStation), he enjoys working as a sports broadcaster – an unexpected opportunity he’s been pursuing since age seven. Wyatt has covered three NHL All-Star games, the NCAA Frozen Four, and a full season each with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Rays. He has also been a live in-game host for both the Lightning and Rays, and his player interviews have been featured on the NHL Network and Hockey Night in Canada. Last season, he hosted ‘Bolts Buddies,’ a new TV show for Bally Sports targeting younger fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also started a weekly radio segment about the NHL and Lightning on one of Florida’s largest sports radio networks. Wyatt is excited to return for his second year as a Power Player and the opportunity to impact the game for future generations of fans.

Milan Shah

Age 15 | Ellicott City, MD

Milan, a 15-year-old ice hockey enthusiast, has been passionate about the sport ever since attending his first Toronto Maple Leafs game at the age of five. His love for hockey has only grown, leading him to play on his high school varsity team and in the midget AA league for his club. Milan’s dedication to the game extends beyond the ice; he immerses himself in all things hockey, from playing NHL video games to collecting trading cards.

Off the rink, Milan is a well-rounded athlete, enjoying basketball, golf, and pickleball, as well as playing percussion in the school band. Now in his sophomore year of high school, he’s not only an athlete but also a leader. Milan is the president of the Pickleball Club and the Collaborative Marketing Club at his school. Additionally, he’s an active member of FBLA, having qualified for the National Leadership Conference in Orlando during his freshman year.

As Milan embarks on his second term as an NHL Power Player, he’s excited to continue exploring career opportunities within the NHL and to further his journey to the world of hockey.

Ilan Shterenberg

Age 15 | Clarksburg, MD

Ilan, a 15-year-old sophomore in high school, is passionate about hockey, particularly playing as a goalie. He has been involved in hockey for seven years and is currently part of the Tri-City Eagles 15UAA team and the Upper Montgomery Lightning HS Varsity team. Ilan is dedicated to community service, having raised $14,000 for adaptive physical therapy "Dream Bikes" for children in need in collaboration with the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers. He is a Young Ambassador Alumni and YA Mentor for the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation, aiming to make hockey more accessible to all. Ilan is bilingual in English and Russian and is learning French, hoping to use his multilingual skills to expand the NHL's fanbase globally. He has engaged with hockey communities worldwide and is eager to make the sport more inclusive. Ilan looks forward to contributing to the upcoming NHL season and aspires to continue his involvement in the NHL in the future, whether on or off the ice.

Kailyn Tucker

Age 16, Thornton, CO

Kailyn Tucker is from Thornton, Colorado, and bleeds Avalanche burgundy and blue. Hockey season is sacred in her family and Kailyn takes her team spirit to the next level by designing custom jackets and jewelry.

When she's not cheering on her favorite team, Kailyn is in the pool. She is a competitive swimmer, having competed in the high school state finals for the last two years, and works as a lifeguard and assistant swim coach.

Kailyn is a bookworm who loves to explore and travel with her family. Her volunteer work at A Precious Child, including a memorable experience with Milan Hejduk, and her role as a student ambassador highlights her commitment to giving back.

Her ultimate goal? To become the next Erin Andrews but for hockey. With a deep passion for hockey and a flair for on-camera presentation, Kailyn is eager to turn her love for the sport into a career in journalism and sports broadcasting. She’s excited to bring her unique blend of enthusiasm and expertise to the NHL Power Players this year.

Zoe VonDerLinn

Age 15 | Rochester, NY

Zoe is a Junior at Penfield High School. A lifelong Sabres fan, she often attends games in Buffalo and goes to Rochester Americans games as well to see up-and-coming Sabres talent. When she’s not watching NHL, AHL, or college hockey, Zoe is the team videographer for Penfield HS Varsity Hockey. She also enjoys playing varsity softball and golf, working on student council, and volunteering in her community. As a catcher for the Rochester Lady Lions Premier softball team, Zoe has played in tournaments in several states and Canada. Her fondest softball memory is winning the N.Y. State Little League Championship in 2019.

Zoe’s dream is to work on the business side of pro sports, ideally in the NHL, and she plans to study Sports Management in college. Her desire to learn as much as she can about the business of sports prompted her to create an Advisory Board, where she gains valuable monthly mentorship from professionals who work for several teams.

A 2024 HOBY Leadership Award winner, Zoe enjoys working to guide positive change. She looks forward to collaborating with her fellow Power Players to grow NHL hockey, especially in under-served communities that haven’t been exposed to the game.

Ethan Zhang

Age 17 | Johns Creek, GA

Ethan Zhang is a senior at Innovation Academy in Alpharetta Georgia. Originally from Waterloo, Ontario, Ethan was exposed to hockey at a very young age and has grown his love for the sport ever since. Although Georgia lacks an NHL team, Ethan proudly supports the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His love for the game extends to ice and roller hockey, where he plays both and shares his knowledge and enthusiasm as a youth roller hockey coach. One of his favorite hockey memories is when he got the chance to skate on the ice and scrimmage between periods at a Carolina Hurricanes game.

Outside of hockey, Ethan enjoys anything computer-related, hanging out with friends, and going on walks. He’s also dedicated to giving back to his community. Whether he’s hosting classes at local libraries or assisting in day camps for neurodivergent kids, Ethan is committed to making a positive impact. As a first-year Power Player, he’s eager to work with like-minded individuals to raise awareness of youth hockey and help expand the sport’s presence in the South. He also hopes to learn more about the business side of sports, as he plans on majoring in both Computer Science and Business in college.