The N.C.Trailblazers, now in their 13th year, have blazed the trail for local women to enjoy hockey on the ice rather than from the stands.

Julia Zeigler, 51, a Raleigh native who now lives in Youngsville and is a corporate sales representative for the Carolina Hurricanes, is one of the team's founders.

She recalls the Trailblazers' humble beginnings in 1995 at Dorton Arena where the now-defunct Raleigh Ice Caps played. A group of transplanted Canadians and women with kids in the local youth hockey programs decided they wanted to have some fun on the ice and pooled their money to rent ice time.

They ventured to Canada for their first tournament, even though none of the women played goalie.

"I volunteered, invested in some goalie gear and have been playing goalie ever since," Zeigler said. "We got our butts kicked all the way back to Raleigh."

But hockey fever struck. Today, their roster of 50 includes a competitive team, two recreational teams and beginning skaters.

The competitive team's record is 13-2-5 with three games and the Winter Warm-Up Tournament remaining in their season, which ends in March. The Trailblazers are eligible for USA Hockey competition and hope to play in regional and national tournaments.