Belle Tire, St. Clair Shores form new girls’ hockey partnership

By @MichaelCaples –

Belle Tire Youth Hockey and the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association announced this week that the two programs have formed a new partnership to promote girls’ hockey at various age groups.

“Opportunities for girls on the near east side to be part of an organization with a clear path from learn to skate all the way through Tier-1 AAA have been unavailable until now,” said Andy DenBaas, St. Clair Shores director of girls’ hockey, via a release. “We feel both organizations will benefit greatly from each other’s progress and dedication for promoting girl’s hockey. Over the past few years girls’ hockey has been our largest area of growth in St. Clair Shores and now our players will have a clear path to the highest levels of girls’ hockey if that is a goal they would like to pursue.”

John Kay, director of hockey operations for Belle Tire, said the partnership will strengthen both programs at each level of play.

“We are committed to providing opportunities for girls to play and excel in hockey at the Tier I, 2 and 3 levels,” Kay said in the release.

It was a special announcement for SCS 12U girls’ team coach Anna Kuehnelein, as well – she played for both SCS and Belle Tire before advancing to a college career at Wayne State.

“Growing up as a member of the St Clair Shores Hockey association and being surrounded by such supportive, encouraging families, coaches and teammates was an intricate part of my desire to succeed,” Kuehnelein said. “After winning a 19u AAA National Championship with the Belle Tire Organization and going on to play Division 1 college hockey alongside of many of my teammates from my youth years at St Clair Shores and Belle Tire, I knew from a young age that giving back and helping athletes to experience some of the things I was able to would be my most gratifying and rewarding success yet. I am incredibly proud to have been a member of both organizations and to say that my experience with both programs helped to shape the many memories, friendships and accomplishments that I hold dear to my heart.”