Hockey Is For Everyone Events
The NHL, its Member Clubs and other affiliated organizations will support Hockey is for Everyone Month with events throughout February. Additional events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Feb. 2, New York City
The NHL will host Ice Hockey in Harlem and New Jersey Goals Ahead for a special Hockey is for Everyone night at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers.
Feb. 4, Daytona Beach, Fla.
The
Tampa Bay Lightning will participate in the official launch of the Hockey is for Everyone program center in Daytona Beach.
Feb. 5, Washington, D.C.
The
Washington Capitals will host four Washington, D.C.-based Special Hockey teams as part of Hockey is for Everyone night during their game against the
Atlanta Thrashers.
Feb. 5-7, Rochester, N.Y.
The American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans, in partnership with the local Hockey is for Everyone program center, will host NHL legend Willie O’Ree.
Feb. 6, New York City
The
New York Rangers’ Hockey is for Everyone night during their game against the
New Jersey Devils will feature youngsters from Ice Hockey in Harlem.
Feb. 8, Washington, D.C.
The
Washington Capitals will skate with kids from the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, the oldest minority youth hockey program in the U.S.
Feb. 9, New York City
The NHL will host local American Special Hockey programs for a special Hockey is for Everyone night at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers.
Feb. 10-11, Los Angeles
O’Ree will take part in the
Los Angeles Kings’ Black History Month celebration.
Feb. 12-14, Detroit
O’Ree will visit the annual “Hockey in the Neighborhood”tournament.
Feb. 18, Boston
The
Boston Bruins will conduct a street hockey clinic for 100 kids from the Lowell Boys and Girls Club, Lowell YMCA and members of former boxer Micky Ward’s charitable foundation, Team Micky Ward Charities. Youth Hockey Ambassador Tommy Songin and Bruins Alumni will be on-hand to lead the clinic. Youngsters will receive Bruins items and prizes for their participation.
For the 12th year, the National Hockey League, in honor of Black History Month, has designated February Hockey is for Everyone Month to celebrate and promote the growing diversity of the game of hockey.
Throughout the month, the NHL, its member clubs, current and former players and affiliated youth organizations will host numerous activities to raise awareness of the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone initiative and its commitment to offering children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey.
"The NHL continues its commitment to supporting non-profit organizations that make the game of hockey more accessible," said
Kenneth Martin, Jr., NHL Vice President of Community and Diversity Programming. "Each year, we take this critical time in our season to shine a light on the tremendous efforts of volunteer organizations throughout North America that help bring this great game to every community."
Throughout the month, public service announcements featuring
Calgary Flames captain
Jarome Iginla,
Pittsburgh Penguins captain
Sidney Crosby,
Columbus Blue Jackets captain
Rick Nash and
Atlanta Thrashers rookie
Evander Kane will run in-arena and air on the NHL Network and NHL Radio. The PSAs also are featured on NHL GameCenter Live programming and available for viewing on NHL.com.
A second PSA celebrates Black History Month and showcases the history of black players in the NHL, from
Willie O'Ree's debut in 1958 to current players such as Kane,
Los Angeles Kings forward
Wayne Simmonds and
Chicago Blackhawks forward
Dustin Byfuglien.
The Hockey is for Everyone initiative is a component of "The Biggest Assist Happens off the Ice," the NHL's social responsibility program that builds on the League's long-standing tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world.
Hockey is for Everyone provides support and unique programming to non-profit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey. The initiative is supported by NHL member clubs, players, NHL alumni, and fans. To date, Hockey is for Everyone has exposed close to 45,000 boys and girls to unique hockey experiences.