As a Dallas Stars fan, I was initially fond of the Dallas Stars Ice Girls because, unlike some other NHL Team Girls, they wore hockey skates and didn't have pompoms. Before this season started, I had heard that they would be incorporating dance routines into the Ice Girls' repertories and was instantly curious on how this would be executed: if they can pull off a dance routine on ice, I’ll be impressed.
 

My husband and I attended a pre-season game in mid-September, where it was apparent that these new dance routines were a side show taking place on a concrete clearing in the stands. I became firmly skeptical of this new format when a new Ice Girl introduced herself and admitted she wasn’t a hockey fan and had never ice skated before but was excited to learn--I couldn’t help but wonder if she’s only there because the Mavs audition didn’t go as well …
 

So last night we attended the official season home opener at the AAC. It was a great game besides an incredibly frustrating wait in the concession line during the first intermission, and one other detail …
 

The Ice Girls had pompoms.
 

I was appalled. What place do pompoms have in hockey? I can’t even believe I just used those two words in the same sentence. I hope you understand this is not an issue with cheerleaders; dance routines are expected and enjoyed in professional football and basketball. But there are not commonly cheerleaders for baseball—so what gives adding pompoms to hockey? I know other NHL Teams have their own girls with pompoms—and figure skates! But I had been proud that the Dallas Stars Ice Girls didn’t.
 

I’m a bit disappointed. I’ll still go to Stars games and have a good time, but the new dancers will have do pull off quite a feat for me to accept them as part of the hockey game.