Ever wish one of your best friends played hockey with you? It’s time to get them out of the bleachers and into the game. It’s never too late to start hockey so we want to help get your friends playing this season. Once they try hockey, they’ll be hooked for life! 

“Overwhelmingly, families tell us they got their start in youth hockey thanks to a friend telling them about Try Hockey For Free Day,” says Pat Kelleher, assistant executive director of membership development at USA Hockey. “Over the past couple of years, I have seen firsthand the power of word-of-mouth, as almost all the new players in my local 8 & under program have started thanks to a recommendation from one of our association families.”

Here is a special guide on how to get your friends onto the ice and into the game, including this Saturday’s Try Hockey For Free Day.

Attend a College or Wild Game: Grab a group and head to Xcel Energy Center, Mariucci, Sanford, Verizon Wireless Center, AMSOIL or the newly renovated Herb Brooks National Hockey Center and cheer on your favorite team. The intensity, skill and speed can turn a casual follower into a diehard fan. Showing your friends the excitement of the game at the rink is a great way to spread your passion for the sport.

Viewing Parties: Can’t attend the game? Bring the game to your house. Toss on your jersey and invite some friends over to cheer on the Wild or your favorite college team to victory. Watching on TV still captures the beauty and excitement of the game we love. Just make sure it’s OK with mom and dad to cheer as loud as you would at Xcel Energy Center.

Quack, Quack, Quack: Grab some popcorn and the living room sofa armed with some of the best hockey movies around. Classic flicks like Mighty Ducks and Miracle offer a fun, cinematic look at the sport with an added perk of being largely based in Minnesota.

Get Social: If you’re old enough to hop on Twitter or Facebook, spread the word about the sport. Share hockey photos with friends, Tweet videos of your favorite Zach Parise goal or create a Facebook event to get your friends together on the ice. Social media is a great way to share the fun of hockey with your peers.

No Ice, No Problem: Instead, invite your friends out for some street hockey or inline skating. Just grab some sticks and a ball and play a pick-up game. If they have fun, they will be excited to try joining you on the ice.

Try Hockey For Free Day: Try Hockey For Free Day is one of the best opportunities available to hit the ice for the first time. Over 70 associations around the state will be hosting the national event on Saturday, Nov. 2. All equipment is provided to new players that day and volunteers help make things comfortable and fun for first-time players and parents. Find a rink near you and register today!

Assist with Equipment: Can you lend any old equipment? Have any extra skates, sticks or pads? Let your friends borrow it to get them on the ice and hooked on hockey. The cost of equipment can be a barrier to playing hockey for some families. Help your friends out by sharing some of your extra gear and they will be ready to join you that much quicker.

Help Them Learn: Ponds and lakes are a great way to get outside and enjoy a quick pickup game with friends and family. They are also the perfect spot to start learning the game. Don’t be afraid to share a couple tips that helped you improve your skills. But remember pond hockey is all about a fun, no-pressure environment so be sure to end it with a game!