The Minnesota Wild, Let’s Play Hockey and Minnesota Hockey have announced a partnership for a fifth annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive. The drive will culminate in a public distribution on Sunday, Oct. 13, at Xcel Energy Center from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Anyone who has been involved in hockey is aware that almost every hockey family has used equipment laying around their house that they have either outgrown or no longer use,” Let’s Play Hockey publisher Doug Johnson said. “For the past four years, Let’s Play Hockey has organized a used hockey equipment drive that has donated more than 10,000 pieces of hockey gear to nearly 2,600 people."

Berger Transfer placed drop-off boxes throughout the Twin Cities at select arenas and hockey shops, beginning Monday, Aug. 26 and running through Monday, Oct. 7. On Sunday, Oct. 13, the equipment will be distributed for free to hockey associations and individuals at Xcel Energy Center from 9 a.m. to noon. Goalie equipment, as well as sticks and helmets, are in the most need.

"Last year, families came from throughout the State of Hockey – from as far away as Worthington, Esko and Wadena – to receive the free equipment,” said Johnson on how the drive's impact continues to expand beyond the metro area.

Sponsors and partners for the program, in alphabetical order, include Berger Transfer, Boehm’s, FOX Sports North, Herb Brooks Foundation, Let’s Play Hockey, Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association, Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association, Minnesota Hockey, Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association, Minnesota Wild, Total Hockey, Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League and Westwood Sports.

Drop-off locations this year include: Apple Valley Sports Arena, Bloomington Ice Garden, Braemar Arena (Edina), Breck School Arena (Golden Valley), Burnsville Ice Center, Delano Sports Arena, Eagan Civic Arena, Hastings Civic Arena, Lakeville Ames Arena, Maple Grove Community Center, New Hope Ice Arena, Pagel Activity Center (Minnetonka), Plymouth Ice Center, Polar Arena (North St. Paul), Rogers Activity Center, Schwan Super Rink (Blaine), St. Croix Valley Recreation Center (Stillwater), St. Louis Park Recreation Center, Tartan Arena (Oakdale), Waconia Ice Arena and White Bear Lake Sports Center. Total Hockey in Burnsville, Edina, Maplewood and Minnetonka, Boehm’s in St. Paul and Westwood Sports in Apple Valley and Bloomington are also drop-off locations.

In addition, Xcel Energy Center will have drop-off boxes at Gate 1 prior to each of the Wild’s preseason home games on Sept. 17, Sept. 21 and Sept. 25.