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Mother Pucker! Meet the new breed of hockey mom

There's a new breed of hockey mom -- and these moms aren't sitting in the stands with a cup of hot cocoa, cheering on their kids. They're out on the ice. NBC News correspondent Michelle Franzen investigated this new trend for TODAY... and ended up skating for a team called "The Mother Puckers."By Michelle FranzenMoms in their 30s, 40s and even 50s who never played ice hockey before are lacing up

There's a new breed of hockey mom -- and these moms aren't sitting in the stands with a cup of hot cocoa, cheering on their kids. They're out on the ice. NBC News correspondent Michelle Franzen investigated this new trend for TODAY... and ended up skating for a team called "The Mother Puckers."

By Michelle Franzen

Moms in their 30s, 40s and even 50s who never played ice hockey before are lacing up their skates and taking up the rough-and-tumble sport. USA Hockey reports women's membership has increased ten-fold in the past two decades.  More than 61,000 women now play on amateur teams and participate in clinics.

These moms may be shuttling their kids to and from school and practice. But in between, usually early mornings or late at night, they are carving out time to hone their own hockey skills.

When 44-year old Terri Reid hits the ice, everything else melts away. "It’s my escape. It’s my way to get out of the house and not think about anything else."

I had the pleasure of playing with her team, which goes by the name, "The Mother Puckers." That's with a "P," please.

Evidently, this reporter and mom was the perfect candidate. Never played hockey?  No problem. Haven't mastered skates? You'll be fine. Don't have gear? Oh, we've got gear for you.

After a few drills and spills, my competitive side kicked in and I was hooked. The team tells me I am invited to practice with them anytime.  And I just may take them up on it.

Michelle Franzen is an NBC News correspondent and mom to a 4-year-old son -- and yes, she says skating with the Mother Puckers was a blast and she wants to do it again.