Chicago
Annie Camins is in her 11th season with the Chicago Blackhawks and her third as Senior Director of Fan Development.
Camins' department contributes to the overall growth of youth hockey in Illinois through MinorHawks and Little Blackhawks Learn to Play programs, serving kids who otherwise wouldn't have the means to play the sport. Per USA Hockey, Illinois ranked fifth in the nation with 31,574 registered hockey players during the 2016-17 season, marking a 42 percent increase in membership since the 2007-08 season. In addition, Illinois has produced the fifth-most NCAA Division I men's hockey players in the nation, marking a 48 percent growth over the last decade. The Blackhawks currently have partnerships with 72 hockey rinks in Illinois, including four within the city of Chicago. Camins was appointed the first NHL/NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee to accelerate the growth of girls and women's hockey.
Camins previously worked as Manager of Fan Development for the Los Angeles Kings before returning to Chicago to work for her hometown team, joining the organization as Director of Youth Hockey.
Camins graduated from the University of New Hampshire, where she captained her team to the NCAA Division I National Championship, beating Providence College in five overtime periods, the longest recorded college hockey game in history. She went on to become a finalist for the 1998 Olympic Hockey Team and continued to play as an Inline National Team player, winning both gold and silver medals. Camins was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.
Camins and her husband Michael Whittaker have a daughter, Amelia.
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