Minnesota Hockey announced today it has awarded over 360 sets of starter equipment to community associations through the Gear Up Minnesota! equipment grant program. Gear Up Minnesota! grants are designed to help associations grow the game of hockey by attracting new families and making hockey more accessible.

The Gear Up Minnesota! grant program was started in 2010 with the support of Total Hockey and the Minnesota Wild Foundation. 

“We have now reached over half of Minnesota youth hockey programs by providing over 1,300 sets of starter gear in the last three years,” said Katy Benoit, USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey Liaison for Total Hockey. “We are thrilled and can't think of a better way to help kids get out on the ice!”

Association volunteers use sets of equipment from Gear Up Minnesota! to fuel growth in their community. Board members, coaches and parents continue to work together, generating new and exciting ways to utilize these grants and invite new players into our hockey family.

“We are very fortunate to have partners willing to supply starter equipment so that more children in Minnesota can experience the joy of playing hockey,” said Dave Margenau, President of Minnesota Hockey. “We want to thank them for their assistance in making hockey more affordable.”

Thank you to the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Fruchi, Shock Doctor, West Bend Insurance, Subway and our other partners for your involvement with Gear Up Minnesota!.  Without your support, Gear Up Minnesota! and the number of new hockey players it has produced wouldn’t be possible.