LA Lions are a Living Example of ‘Hockey is for Everyone’
By Kaitlyn Kupiec, 03/31/25, 8:00AM MDT
Featuring players with backgrounds from four different continents, the Lions have qualified for nationals four times in the past five years
“Hockey is for everyone” is a slogan the sport has long embraced.
For the Los Angeles Lions Girls Tier I 14U team, it’s more than just words — it’s reality.
The LA Lions hockey program, which began with a single 8U team in 2014, had pierced the top 15 of Tier I tournament-bound teams by 2020. The program’s 14U girls team qualified for the Chipotle-USA Hockey Girls National Championships in 2021, the first year the Lions were eligible.
The Lions have grown into one of the most competitive teams in the country while staying true to a commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Since earning Tier I status in 2020, the team has consistently made its mark on the national stage, winning the Pacific District in February and qualifying for nationals four of the last five years.
Comprising of players from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the LA Lions roster represents a wide spectrum of identities, featuring African American, British, Canadian, Chinese, Czech, Filipino, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese players.
For Verity Escopete, who grew up in Southern California, the Lions are more than just a competitive hockey team – they’re a family.
“When we go out to the East Coast, we definitely stand out,” Escopete said. “A lot of teams we play aren’t as diverse as we are, and that makes us really special.”
Escopete’s passion for hockey extends beyond her personal success. She’s actively involved in programs that increase access to the sport for girls from underrepresented backgrounds. She participates in Black, Silver & Bold, an initiative created by Blake Bolden, a former professional hockey player who made history as the first African American player in the National Women’s Hockey League.
Through this program, Escopete and some of her teammates help introduce young girls from diverse backgrounds to hockey by providing mentorship and guidance.
“It’s really important because little girls really look up to us; they can see their future in us,” Escopete said.
Quinn Albrecht shares a similar dedication to hockey and her community by giving back through her involvement with younger players. Her love for the game and role as a mentor helps shape the next generation of players, providing them with the same sense of inclusion and community she’s found.
Albrecht is involved with The Empowerment Effect, a program that aims to empower girls through sports, helping young women build confidence, learn leadership skills and become positive role models.
“I remember back to when I was their age; I had one of my closest friends, who is now 18, and she was like my role model,” Albrecht said. “I just want to be that to other girls, and girls should try to find or create community within themselves and just try to get girls that look like them or don’t look like them into hockey.”
Albrecht reflected on a story that illustrates the Lions’ power of diversity.
At a tournament, a young Chinese player — who was the only one of her background on her team — was excited to see so many players of similar heritage on the Lions. She approached the Lions and asked to sit with them, expressing how rare it was for her to see so many people who looked like her in one place. Albrecht found it a touching moment that underscored her team’s inclusive culture.
Andrew Stone, the Lions’ head coach, has played a key role in the team’s success. He has been with the Lions program for nearly 20 years and has led the 14U girls team since 2019. Under his leadership, the team has built a culture of perseverance and accountability, focusing on both skill development and mental toughness.
“Hockey’s a game of mistakes and failures, and it’s how you respond to that,” he said. “There’s always a morality in everything you teach as a coach. Doing things the right way, putting in the effort, the hard work, the commitment — we talk about focusing on the details and doing the little things right, and then the big things will take care of themselves.”
The Lions’ team chemistry has been vital to their success. The players share a deep bond, both on and off the ice. Whether it’s through road trips to national tournaments, intense practice sessions or supporting each other outside of hockey, the Lions have developed a unique culture that extends beyond the rink.
“We’re showing that people who look like us can come together and succeed in hockey,” Albrecht said. “Our team is going to nationals, and we’re creating an image for others who want to play. It’s creating a lot of opportunities for others, and it’s something younger girls can see in us and know they can achieve too.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
