Minnesota Hockey and Rink Systems, Inc. launched a partnership in 2013 to offer a subsidy program for the purchase of hard ice dividers. Now in its eighth season, the program has helped supply over 100 sets of dividers to 75 youth hockey associations in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Hockey Hard Divider Program was designed to aid community-based associations and their home rinks in promoting the growth of ice hockey through the implementation of cross and half-ice hockey, and it’s made a huge impact on the game throughout the state. Associations have utilized the boards to enhance a wide variety of age-appropriate programs include in-house mite and squirt programs, jamborees, tournaments and three-on-three or four-on-four leagues for older age groups.

Whether utilized for cross and half-ice hockey, the hard ice dividers help associations utilize ice more efficiently and provide players with a more game-like experience.  Cross and half-ice hockey allows players to increase the number of times they touch the puck, their puck possession time and overall speed in playing situations – all of which translate into quicker development of individual skills and a passion for the game.

Minnesota Hockey is proud to continue its partnership with Rink Systems, Inc. and extend the Hard Ice Divider Subsidy Program for the 2020-21 season. The partnership will also allow for associations that purchase hard ice dividers through the program to purchase junior size goal frames at a discounted rate.

Through this partnership, Minnesota Hockey will once again be able to offer a $2,500 subsidy to Minnesota Hockey affiliated associations that register to purchase a “hard divider” system. Minnesota Hockey associations will be able to purchase a set of boards, valued at $7,900, for just $5,400. Associations that take advantage of the hard ice divider subsidy will also be able to purchase the junior goal frames at the following prices: two goal frames for $440, four goal frames for $880 or six goal frames for $1,320.

To learn more, visit www.minnesotahockey.org/harddividers.