Photograph by Katherine Bish
It used to be “soccer mom” was the go-to term. Then this election season rolled around, and the term was suddenly replaced by “hockey mom”—a phrase that might have seemed foreign at first, given that St. Louis is south of, say, Lake Michigan. But did you know dozens of moms actually play hockey right here in St. Louis? At least five women’s hockey teams compete in the area, with the most recent addition being the St. Louis Edge. On almost any given weekend from September to March, you can visit a local rink and find women battling it out.
Among those in pads is Cari Beres, left wing and assistant captain for the St. Louis Surge. The 31-year-old Wisconsin transplant got her start with the team nine years ago. She practices nearly year-round and plays on weekends at St. Peters Rec-Plex. “It’s the camaraderie,” says Beres, who isn’t a mom herself but who’s watched the sport develop into a family affair. “It’s being able to get off work and do something totally different with a bunch of women who have the same interest.”
How did you get into hockey? My mom was a tomboy growing up, and my brother played hockey, so I wanted to get a little of my parents’ attention. So I started playing on a club team in high school when I was 16. Then I played club hockey at the University of Minnesota.
Ah, Minnesota—that explains it. How did you find a team in St. Louis? When I first moved down here, it was really difficult. I went looking for a team, and the Surge had a spot on the roster at the time. It seemed like hockey wasn’t a big sport here several years ago, even with the Blues. But there’s been a push to bring in people. It’s something fun and different, and it’s very family-oriented.
What was it like suiting up for the first time? It was amazing to be on the other side of the glass. All the fluid movements look really easy when you’re watching, but you have a much better appreciation once you’re on the ice. I’ve been playing for years now, and I’m still learning.
What was the hardest part? Stopping. I started out on figure skates, which have toe picks. We don’t have toe picks in hockey. I did a few face plants before I realized you can’t push off in the same way as figure skating.
Is it as competitive as guys’ hockey? To me, it’s just as competitive. We’re not allowed to check—which is one of the first things people ask when they hear I play hockey—but there’s still a lot of body contact. It gets physical. I like to think of it as more finesse than hard-hitting, but it depends on who you talk to.
Are there many fights? No. I’m not sure that’s a good or bad thing as far as drawing in fans.
What’s the most memorable game you’ve ever played in? When I first started playing for the Surge, we held tournaments on an outdoor rink. There was a tourney scheduled for March, and it got to be 80 degrees before the game. It was like a swimming pool. Coach was out on the ice with a squeegee. We were soaking wet.
