“It’s certainly a huge honor and one that’s very well-deserved for Maria,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director for USA Hockey. “She’s been such a force in hockey throughout her whole life. We’re thrilled to be able to recognize her for this award.”
Following her career with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Dennis volunteered with USA Hockey as a member of the board of directors for nearly a decade and simultaneously served as a member of the board of directors for the United States Olympic Committee. In addition, she was also voted to serve as an athlete representative to the Salt Lake Olympic Management Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Dennis started her advocacy on behalf of athletes with USA Hockey in 1991 when the organization was encouraged to place more athletes on governing bodies.
“That started it all,” Dennis said. “I’m really appreciative that I have a job and a career that married my love and passion with the sport of my career. I love advocating on behalf of the athletes.”
Dennis joined the NHLPA in 2011 where she advocates on behalf of the players’ interests with respect to a wide array of health and safety matters, including the players’ right to quality medical care, second medical opinions, a fair and equitable drug testing program, substance abuse and mental health assistance and concussion management.
Dennis also represents the players’ interests in the areas of supplementary discipline, data analytics and wearable technology.
“She came to the (NHLPA) and really carved out a great space where she’s working on a lot of different projects,” said Mathieu Schneider, a former NHL defenseman and current special assistant to the executive director with the NHLPA. “She has been an amazing advocate for the players and that stems from her understanding the mentality of a hockey player and an elite athlete. To have someone like her in this role is invaluable.”
Schneider has witnessed Dennis’ passion up close for the last decade.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that loves hockey as much as she does,” Schneider said. “She works tirelessly and she’s just so passionate about the game. I tell everyone this story, but when we went into the bubble in Edmonton a few years ago, she showed up with her hockey bag. She just had to skate. She loves being around the people and she loves to be on the ice.”
On the NHL/NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee, Dennis helps ensure that girls and women experience all the opportunities and benefits that the sport provides.
She helped begin a female ambassador program for NHL teams. Dennis also helped in the creation of female-specific learn-to-play hockey programs and created a marketing toolkit that focused on reaching girls and women as a distinct NHL audience.
“It’s evident how much she loves the game and how important it is to her,” Kelleher said. “She has stayed in the game and found a way to give back beyond her playing days. To have someone of her caliber, her intelligence and her passion … to do what she does for the betterment of the game at all levels is pretty unique. She’s earned this recognition from USA Hockey for her life in hockey.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
