The first girls ice hockey team since 2007 hit the ice for their first in-season practice on Monday.

The co-op team consists of high school girls from Rockport and Gloucester. The talent ranges from girls who have never played before to those who have prior experience.

On April 30th, 2016, the team held an open house to get an idea of how many girls were interested. More free skates and open houses were held after that, which showed more and more interest each time.

The team became official on June 6th, when enough girls committed to establish the team.

Since then, the team has gone to various free skates, and just finished a preseason clinic to help improve their skills and prepare for the upcoming season.

“Practices are going really well for start up team,”  said senior hockey player Nicole Tocco. “I think that we have tremendous athletes on our team and although we may not win every game, it is still a success to have brought back this team.”

The first scrimmage will be held on December 4th at 8:45 at the James E. McVann-Louis F. O’Keefe Memorial Skating Rink in Peabody where they will be playing Bishop Fenwick.