Hockey Figure Skating Cheerleaders:
University of Minnesota's hockey cheerleaders are figure skaters who are able to do figure skating moves and cheer at the same time. The skating they do while cheering is very difficult.
- Video of University of Minnesota Hockey Figure Skating Cheerleaders
- Photo Gallery - University of Minnesota's Hockey Figure Skating Cheerleaders
Dance, Cheerleading, and Synchronized Figure Skating:
Hockey cheerleading on figure skates combines dance, cheerleading, and synchronized figure skating. Usually, cheerleading is combined with gymnastics; hockey cheerleading at the University of Minnesota has taken cheerleading to a new level.
Skating Qualifications:
Some intermediate and advanced figure skating elements are required for skaters wishing to qualify for University of Minnesota's cheerleading squad. Required moves include being able to do a flip-loop jump combination, back outside shoot the ducks, back power three turns, and to have a good one-foot spin. Figure skaters able to do axels and layback spins have a better chance of making the squad.
History:
University of Minnesota has had hockey cheerleaders performing on figure skates since about 1985 or 1986.
Other Figure Skating Hockey Cheerleaders:
The NHL Carolina Hurricanes Storm Squad is another squad of hockey cheerleaders on figure skates. That squad began in 1999 with the goal of helping to excite hockey fans. The NHL Carolina Hurricanes Storm Squad is a co-ed team.
Girls Only:
The University of Minnesota hockey figure skating cheerleaders are a squad made up of only female figure skaters. About twelve girls are on the squad.
Coaches:
The University of Minnesota hockey figure skating cheerleading squad has a head cheerleading coach and also a figure skating coach.
Cheers in the Stands:
The girls shout chants and also motivate, dance, and cheer in the stands when they are not skating on the ice.
Don't Compete:
The University of Minnesota figure skating hockey cheerleaders don't compete in cheerleading competitions. They train with the goal of giving hockey audiences motivation, entertainment, and excitement.
Celebrities:
The University of Minnesota figure skating hockey cheerleaders are treated like celebrities by hockey fans. At many games, young people ask the girls for autographs and photos. It is considered a great honor to be a University of Minnesota hockey cheerleader.
