By Phil Stacey
Sports editor
—
BOSTON — It's not as if Rachel Welch needed another activity added to her already overflowing plate.
It already read something like this: sophomore at Merrimack College majoring in psychology. Holder of a full-time job. Currently the National American Miss Massachusetts Teen 2011.
In other words, there was little time in her life for anything else.
But this was an opportunity she just couldn't pass up.
"I absolutely love it," said Welch, a 2010 Bishop Fenwick graduate, on being one of the newest Boston Bruins Ice Girls. "It's a completely new experience for me, and the thrill of going to all the home games and interacting with the fans is incredible."
The 19-year-old Welch, a former Bishop Fenwick football and hockey cheerleader, was one of 900 applicants who tried out for the Ice Girls in early September, and one of only five that was ultimately picked to join the team.
"When I first heard about the tryouts, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity," said Welch, who hails from West Newbury.
Now in their ninth season, the Ice Girls do a little bit of everything at the TD Garden during Bruins home games. When they're not getting the fans fired up for the action on the ice, they'll walk around the concourse and arena meeting and talking with fans, posing for photos and signing autographs. They also skate onto the ice between periods, hand out team posters and fire T-shirts into the crowd through air guns during TV timeouts.
The Ice Girls also take part in many of the team's off-ice endeavors in the community such as the Bruins Foundation, the Starlight Foundation and American Heart Association, among others.
A perfect fit
The fact that Welch had a background both in athletics (playing soccer and lacrosse) and on the ice (as a figure skater) worked to her benefit. So did her lifelong love of hockey and particularly the Bruins, whom she watched growing up with her large extended family — including uncles and many male cousins — on a regular basis.
From the original field of 900, Welch was one of just 30 applicants chosen for consideration. Later that same day, she came in for an audition and went through everything from a team photo shoot and some modeling to a mock on-camera interview.
"We were looking for personable, energetic girls who are knowledgeable about hockey and someone who likes to work in the community," said Holly Dulaney, who is in her first year as the Ice Girls' team captain (and fourth year with the team overall).
"Rachel was everything we look for in an Ice Girl. She had previous experience working with charities (such as St. Jude's Research Hospital's awareness and fundraising program, as well as the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston), and you could tell that she'd be able to interact with our fans and talk hockey with them. I liked that she was really into hockey. Plus, she seemed genuinely excited to be part of it all.
"Our team is really special in that we have a lot of girls who are in college, have a full-time job and are very ambitious," added Dulaney. "They have the whole package — and Rachel fits that perfectly."
Fans and friends
Welch, who works at Elements Therapeutic Massage in Newburyport, recently returned from Anaheim, Calif. in the National American Miss Teen 2011 competition and cherished the opportunity.
"It was an amazing experience," Welch said. "We walked along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and spent a day in Disneyland. I had the opportunity to compete with winners from all around the country and develop strong friendships with all of the girls. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that honored me with a prestigious finalist award as well as the Spirit Award. I'm so blessed and honored to represent Massachusetts as the National American Miss Massachusetts Teen 2011."
She feels the same way about being one of the newest Ice Girls.
"It's the best thing," Welch admitted. "The fans are so great; just down to earth people who love the Bruins and love talking hockey. And making new friendships with the other Ice Girls has been great; they've made me feel so comfortable. I have 16 more wonderful friends now."
