It’s easy to get caught up in the lifestyle that is hockey here in Minnesota. We live it. We breathe it. And, we dream about it.

While hockey is the greatest game in the world and a game for a lifetime, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the key to every player’s success down the road is an education. That should be a kid’s primary focus and what will ultimately lead him or her to success in life. Hockey is a vehicle to a lot of different places, and what you bring to the ice is the same thing you bring to the classroom: focus, drive and the ability to learn and adapt.

Minnesota Hockey has long endorsed the Skaters Keep Achieving Through Education (S.K.A.T.E.) program, which is beginning its 20th year and is regarded as the top academic achievement program for youth hockey players.

S.K.A.T.E. is a program designed to encourage, support and reward youth hockey players in Minnesota and beyond who commit themselves to academics. In order to qualify for the program, youth hockey players must achieve a grade point average of 3.0 during the hockey season. All Minnesota Hockey players, Squirt through Junior Gold, are eligible.  The program is inclusive of all young, student-athletes and has programs for those in Special Education or other learning programs.

Many Minnesota Hockey associations have been involved with S.K.A.T.E. since its inception, but every association is encouraged to participate.

Every participant in the program will receive a Certificate of Achievement from Reebok-CCM Hockey, a longtime partner of Minnesota Hockey and a proud supporter of the program, along with a small gift.  Additionally, many participating associations recognize their young “Student Athletes” in end-of-season events.

This year, 20 years after its founding, the S.K.A.T.E. program enters the Digital Age with a new Twitter account (@SkateToAchieve) and Facebook Page.  We invite you to join them in spreading the word of academic achievement for young hockey players.

To learn more about the program or to enroll, visit www.skatetoachieve.com, or contact Assistant Director Joanne O’Leary at joanne_oleary@comcast.net.  The enrollment deadline for this season is December 15, 2013.