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2017-18 Try Hockey For Free Dates Released

By Minnesota Hockey, 06/07/17, 12:00PM CDT

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USA Hockey has released the dates and details for its 2017-18 membership development initiatives. The national Try Hockey For Free Days are scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 4, 2017, during Come Play Hockey Month, and Saturday, March 3, 2018, following the Olympic Winter Games. The details on the 2 and 2 Challenge were also released for the upcoming season.

Associations in Minnesota and throughout the country can now register to participate in the first Try Hockey For Free Day as well as the 2 and 2 Challenge.

The Try Hockey For Free Days, which are one component of the 2 and 2 Challenge, are expected to receive a high amount of interest among event hosts and participants due to the Olympics. Minnesota set state records for event sites and players introduced to hockey for both the fall and winter Try Hockey For Free Days during the last Olympic year in 2013-14, thanks to the increased media attention and public awareness of ice hockey.  This year the Try Hockey For Free Day in March will once again be held the first Saturday following the closing ceremonies due to its success on that day in 2014.

USA Hockey’s 2 and 2 Challenge program provides youth hockey associations with a three-part, season-long plan for increasing participation among children between the ages of 4 and 8. Associations have the opportunity to utilize step-by-step guidance, tools and national resources to achieve the program’s goal of adding two new players and retaining two players more than the previous season’s total.  

The three phases of the 2 and 2 Challenge include retention, acquisition and conversion. The first step in growing hockey is retaining current players which USA Hockey and local associations combine forces to accomplish through a series of phone calls and emails. Then, the two Try Hockey For Free Days strive to acquire, or introduce, new players to the game of hockey. The final stage in the process is transitioning potential players into the association through a low cost, low commitment program that enables families to get a better understanding of the game before committing to the full season.

In support of the Try Hockey For Free Days and the 2 and 2 Challenge, USA Hockey supplies participating associations with a number of marketing resources to promote the game at the grassroots level. USA Hockey also partners with the National Hockey League and its member clubs to market the Try Hockey For Free Days nationwide.

To learn more about the 2 and 2 Challenge or to accept the challenge for the 2017-18 season, click here.

Associations and arenas interested in hosting one of the Try Hockey For Free Days can click here to register. 

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