St. Paul, MN – October 3, 2018 – Minnesota Hockey, and its newest Grow the Game partner, Sun Country Airlines, are excited to introduce the New Family Mentor Program. The New Family Mentor Program will provide new players and parents a personalized introduction to the sport of hockey and the local youth hockey association. The goal is to ease concerns that new families may have with entering an unfamiliar sport and to educate them on best practices when playing hockey in Minnesota, and for their community association.

Established hockey families in local associations will serve as volunteer mentors to first-year families in the association’s Mite/8U program. The mentor families will welcome the newcomers to the first day of a Learn to Play hockey program or practice by presenting him or her with an association gift and helping them get ready to hit the ice. While the established player helps the newcomer on the ice, parents of both players will sit in the stands together to answer questions.

“While the traditions of hockey in Minnesota are passed down through generations, it is hugely important that we make all players and families feel welcome to the game,” said Minnesota Hockey President Dave Margenau. “We believe this new program will ease any potential nerves that may come with trying a new sport and entering a new realm of unfamiliar surroundings. Further, it will help instill a greater sense of community while establishing a better culture of people helping people.”

All families that serve as a mentor in their community program will be entered into a drawing at the end of January to win prizes that will include Minnesota Wild tickets, Minnesota Wild autographed items, State High School Hockey Tournament tickets, NCHC Frozen Faceoff tickets and more. The grand prize will be a $500 voucher valid on any Sun Country Airlines flight.

“We are thrilled to help kick-start this program with Minnesota Hockey and ensure that families have the resources they need to succeed in the local hockey community,” said Sun Country Airlines Chief Marketing Officer Brian Davis. “Sun Country Airlines is proud to support organizations making a difference in Minnesota.”

Additionally, the first ten associations to have at least five families sign up to be mentor families will receive a $500 Pass the Puck grant to offset costs for welcome gifts like water bottles, towels and mugs. Participating associations will also get priority to have a Mite team represented at the Minnesota Wild Mite Holiday Jamboree December 27 and 28, 2018. 

Further information will be communicated to associations about how to participate in the program.