For the sixth straight year USA Hockey will host its annual Try Hockey For Free Day, an initiative encouraging children ages 4 through 9 to participate in the sport for the first time.
The first of their two events will be Nov. 7, with the second taking place Feb. 20, 2016, as part of Hockey Weekend Across America.
Try Hockey For Free Day is part of USA Hockey's Come Play Hockey Month in November.
According to USA Hockey, Try Hockey For Free Day has opened the doors to hockey for nearly 100,000 children, including a record 28,446 in 2013-14, and optimism is high it will come close to or even exceed that mark this year.
"The good news is it’s become kind of a staple on the hockey calendar," said Pat Kelleher, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of development. "The one this weekend comes at a time when everybody is excited and enthused about the start of the season. The NHL is in full swing as is the American Hockey League. College hockey and junior hockey are both in full swing. It’s a great time for everyone across the country to join forces to give families that haven’t been exposed to hockey an opportunity to try the sport."