Erika Ehrenberg Joins EOGHA as First Shift & Learn to Play Coordinator
Mar. 30, 2025
The East Ottawa Girls Hockey Association (EOGHA) is thrilled to welcome Erika Ehrenberg as our new First Shift and Learn to Play Coordinator. Erika brings a wealth of experience in coaching and skill development, with a deep passion for fostering inclusion in hockey.
When asked what excites her most about joining EOGHA as the First Shift and Learn to Play Coordinator she said “I am excited to welcome all the new players and families to hockey and to the association, and be a part of their journey! I am looking forward to spending my Saturdays at the rink and getting to know the girls in the program, and making it a positive, inclusive, and fun environment”.
Hailing from Hamilton, ON, Erika has dedicated over a decade to working with children in sports, focusing on Learn to Skate, beginner hockey skills, and powerskating programs for the past four years. She first volunteered with Bauer’s First Shift program through the Hamilton Hawks Girls Hockey Association from 2017-2019, where she witnessed firsthand the program’s impact in making hockey more accessible to families.
Erika continued her playing career with Carleton University’s varsity women’s hockey team, where she further honed her coaching skills. She led on-ice instruction for Carleton’s summer youth hockey camps, and taught Learn to Skate and Introduction to Hockey programs for adults. Since then, she has taken on various coaching and instructional roles, including working with Nepean Hockey School as a skills instructor, running powerskating programs for multiple teams, and providing private hockey and skating lessons. Most notably, she has led the City of Ottawa Ringette Association’s powerskating program for the past two seasons, where she manages a team of coaches and volunteers, designs engaging practice plans, and leads weekly sessions for players at various age levels.
Beyond the rink, Erika is pursuing a master’s degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies at Carleton University, with a focus on the intersections of sport, migration, gender, and identity. She is also actively involved in sport inclusion initiatives through her work with Sport Canada and the Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI). She recently submitted a proposal to establish a Women in Sport Leadership conference for newcomer youth girls, further demonstrating her commitment to creating inclusive spaces in sport.
As a coach, Erika is dedicated to making hockey a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants. She believes in the importance of representation and takes pride in being a female leader in sport. Having grown up without female coaches or skills instructors until U18, she is passionate about ensuring that young players today can see strong women at every level of the game.
“I want to show girls that they belong in hockey, and for them to see that hockey is a place where they can find friendship, community, and be empowered to achieve their goals. I hope to be one of many female leaders that they will meet along their journey with hockey, and be inspired by!” - Erika Ehrenberg
EOGHA is excited to have Erika on board to lead our First Shift and Learn to Play programs. Her experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to inclusion will undoubtedly help create a positive and supportive introduction to hockey for new players. Please join us in welcoming Erika to the EOGHA community!
The EOGHA would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Misha Celentano for her incredible dedication as the First Shift and Learn to Play program coordinator. For numerous years, Misha has been instrumental in successfully running this important program, helping so many young girls develop a love for the game. Her passion, leadership, and commitment have been truly inspiring, making a lasting impact on our players and community. We are incredibly grateful for all that she has done for the program and the association!
