Kellye Nelson began her hockey career on the frozen lakes of Minnesota, now she's building opportunities for women in New Zealand with the NZWIHL's Wakatipu Wild.
Kellye Nelson began her hockey career on the frozen lakes of Minnesota, now she's building opportunities for women in New Zealand with the NZWIHL's Wakatipu Wild.
Kellye Nelson grew up playing hockey on the frozen lakes of Minnesota. Now, more than 8000 miles from home, Nelson is back on the ice again, this time with New Zealand's Wakatipu Wild.
Arriving to the nation several years ago, Nelson intended to work on a holiday visa and be gone in less than a year. She started at a surf camp in northern New Zealand, and worked her way through the country before landing in Queenstown. Here she gravitated toward something she didn't know would exist, an ice arena. Once Nelson discovered it, she applied for a job. Seven seasons later, Nelson is now a resident of New Zealand and General Manager of the Queenstown Ice Arena.
Nelson played NCAA Division III hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and ACHA DI hockey for the University of Minnesota after high school. Now, the 35-year-old is enjoying a renaissance playing the sport she loves in a place she didn't know she'd find it.
"In terms of women’s hockey, at the beginning there were only three teams and it is very expensive," Nelson explained. "Ice hockey in new Zealand is the underdog sport similar to what rugby/netball would be like back home in North America and as we know women’s sports always have additional challenges."
After her third season in New Zealand, Nelson helped found a fourth team to play in the New Zealand Women's Ice Hockey League (NZWIHL), the Wakatipu Wild. Founded in 2014 ,the NZWIHL now includes the Wild, Auckland Steel, Canterbury Inferno, and Dunedin Thunder.
The growth was a sign of increased participation, and increased skill levels in the NZWIHL. It's a trend that according to Nelson has continued.
"Last year was the best I have seen the NZWIHL in terms of competition and skill, but also community support which is great," said Nelson. She'll return to the ice in June for season four with the Wakatipu Wild, who finished first overall in the NZWIHL last season.
The 35th ranked nation in the world, New Zealand has a long way to climb in the IIHF before they face traditional hockey nations, but the growth continues, despite the costs and struggle to recruit.
"Women’s hockey is growing, and it is becoming more competitive here...I am very impressed with the improvement of our younger girls who played with us last season and their continued development as athletes both on and off the ice, we just need more women and sponsors to allow these players to continue to play."
While nations such as Canada, USA, Czechia, and Finland are well funded for international competition, even at the IIHF level, New Zealand's national team players often pay more than $5000 each, out of pocket, to participate in international competitions, a cost which does not include training or time off work.
Still, Nelson, who was raised in Lino Lake, Minnesota, has found community and social connection through women's hockey in her new nation.
"The social aspect of women’s hockey has been part of the reason I have stayed here for so long," said Nelson. "I have met amazing individuals who are involved in women’s ice hockey. There are heaps of women here who have only started skating and playing in their late 20s/30s and I am amazed at this. They dive right in and soak it all up, they can’t get enough of it. Queenstown is called the adventure capital of the world, so I guess you have to assume all the locals are going to try out the “extreme” sports. This just shows how inclusive the community is here and how women of all levels are supporting one another at the local rink."
Nelson is now playing a role in growing the sport for women in New Zealand. While she's across the world from those frozen lakes in Minnesota, the love for the sport remains. There's still snow and lakes in New Zealand, along with endless beaches. There's also nine indoor ice arenas, including Queenstown Ice Arena, managed by Kellye Nelson, and home to the NZWIHL's Wakatipu Wild.