From Turkey to Toe Drags
We’ve officially survived the holiday gauntlet: Thanksgiving food comas, Black Friday chaos, and the first real snow dump of the year. If you managed to escape without slipping on the driveway, overspending on gear you definitely “needed,” or eating an entire pumpkin pie, consider that a win.
With the flakes piling up and the year winding down, our AHA season is already a quarter of the way through. The holidays are around the corner, the standings are tightening, and the adrenaline from early-season jitters has officially thawed. Buckle up winter hockey has arrived.
And while everyone’s settling into mid-season form, it’s the perfect time to highlight one of the players who embodies that drive and passion. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Amelia Dipaola, whose hockey journey stretches from California rinks to the heart of the AHA.
Player Spotlight
Name: Amelia DiPaola
Hometown: Fremont, California
# / Position: #27 Defense & #21 Defense
Team / Tier: C1 Maroons & B3 Chaos
My hockey journey started when I was four years old at a small rink in California. By age eight, I was playing competitively across multiple clubs in A-level boys hockey and AA/AAA girls hockey. I was part of the 12U Girls Jr. Sharks team that won a National Championship, and I also earned two California State Championships with the Tri-Valley Blue Devils boys A teams at both the Peewee and Bantam levels.
Because high school hockey wasn’t common in California, I continued developing in AA boys club hockey with Golden State Elite and the Oakland Bears. From Bantam through Midget, I had a fantastic experience playing in the California State Boys League and traveling to tournaments in Canada, Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. During that time, I was also selected several times for USA Hockey Selects, attending the national camp at St. Cloud.
As my youth hockey career wrapped up, I took a gap year to work and pursue another passion: baton twirling, a sport I had also started at age four. That summer, I earned both a Grand National title and an International title. Afterward, I joined the Track & Field team at Fresno State as a hammer thrower and shot putter. I received Mountain West Conference honors, became an All-American, and was recognized as one of the Top 10 NCAA Woman of the Year honorees in Division I—and Top 30 across all NCAA divisions—for both athletic and academic achievements. While competing, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.
My move from California to Minnesota came with a new chapter: veterinary school, where I’m focused on large animal medicine, especially cows and horses. I have two and a half years left before earning my DVM. A huge perk of relocating was finally getting to play hockey again, and I was lucky to find the AHA. I’ve had a blast so far playing last winter with C1 Maroons White out of the Draft, then through summer and fall leagues and I’m excited to skate with B3 Chaos this winter.
Share Your Story Or Nominate Someone Who Should!
As the AHA continues to grow, so does the community that makes this league special. Our divisions are busier, our tournaments are bigger than ever, and every season brings in new faces ready to lace up and join the fun. With so many incredible players, teams, and backgrounds across the league, we want to keep celebrating the people who make Minnesota hockey what it is.
That’s where you come in.
The Player Spotlight is one of our favorite parts of this newsletter—not just because it highlights skill, passion, and personality, but because it showcases the unique journeys that bring each of us to the ice. Whether someone has a remarkable hockey history, an inspiring comeback story, a quirky pregame ritual, or simply embodies what it means to be a great teammate, we want to share it.
If you know someone who deserves to be featured
Or, if you’d like to submit your own story, send it our way!
Spotlights can include your hockey path, fun facts, how you found the AHA, memorable moments, or anything that makes your experience special. The more voices we include, the stronger and more connected our community becomes.
Reach out to the AHA Communications team (communications@ahahockey.com) with your Player Spotlight nominations or league suggestions, and help us keep the community connected both on and off the ice.
| Program | Start Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Winter Beginner School | Nov 17th | FULL, IN PROGRESS |
| 2025-26 Winter League | Nov 1st | STARTED |
| 2026 Summer Beginner School | Registration Opens Jan 20th | UPCOMING |
