Final answer:
The phrase 'these groups' helps us understand the meaning of the word 'committees,' which refers to groups of people working together towards a goal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase from the passage that helps us understand the meaning of the word 'committees' is 'these groups.' The passage states that Lacquette is on two NHL committees, so the phrase 'these groups' refers to those committees. Committees are groups of people who work together to achieve a specific goal or complete a specific task. In this case, the NHL committees are responsible for coming up with new ideas and finding ways to bring new voices to the game of hockey.
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