On Saturday, November 12, over 900 children in Minnesota were introduced to hockey as a part of USA Hockey and the National Hockey League’s national Try Hockey For Free Day. Nearly 60 community associations in Minnesota and 500 arenas across the country hosted kids, primarily 4 to 9 years old, interested in trying hockey.

Try Hockey For Free, which is now in its sixth season, was designed to provide young athletes with a low cost and easy way to try hockey. By removing the barriers associated with experiencing the sport for the first time, these events enable parents to see if their children like hockey before registering for a full season. Try hockey sessions have become one of the primary recruiting tool of youth hockey programs in Minnesota, and the national dates are the most heavily utilized each season.

Thanks in part to the success of Try Hockey For Free and other growth initiatives; Minnesota Hockey set a new record last season for 8 & Under players ever at 17,656, shattering the previous record of 16,936.

The next national Try Hockey For Free Day will be hosted on Saturday, February 25, 2017 as a part of Hockey Weekend Across America. To try hockey, check back in early February for event location and registration information.

 To host an event in February 2017, click here.

Below is a photo gallery of Try Hockey For Free Day on November 12, 2016.