The 11th annual Hockey Weekend Across America proved to be a success on every level, highlighted by 13,460 children nationwide and 523 in Minnesota experiencing Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, March 3.

Each day of the celebration featured a special theme. Friday (March 2) was Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day, sponsored by Chipotle, during which fans across the country showed their hockey pride by wearing their prized jerseys. Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day capped the weekend on Sunday (March 4) with recognition of those who power the game at grassroots levels. Sandwiched between was Saturday’s (March 3) national Try Hockey For Free Day, when children ages 4-9 were introduced to hockey for the first time with complimentary equipment, ice time and encouragement from certified USA Hockey instructors.

The Colorado Rampage, a USA Hockey Model Association, led the nation in THFF participants, welcoming 351 children in three sessions to the Monument (Colorado) Ice Rinks.

In Minnesota, over 500 children participated in events across 31 communities. Three locations including Sibley (50), Armstrong Cooper (45) and Eden Prairie (41) hosted over 40 young boys and girls.

A total of 24,836 new players were part of USA Hockey's two national Try Hockey For Free Days this season, including over 1,500 in Minnesota. Now in their eighth season, USA Hockey's Try Hockey for Free Days have introduced more than 177,000 children to the sport.