Devils celebrate Try Hockey For Free Day

On Saturday, November 10, USA Hockey along with local youth hockey associations hosted their semi-annual Try Hockey For Free Day across the United States. The program provides free equipment and invites children between the ages of four and nine years old to suit up to try the sport for free at participating rinks.

This past Saturday, six rinks hosted the event in New Jersey and over 200 families participated in the program across the state. The Devils support this initiative twice a year by attending the event at one of their many rink partners and bring out activations, alumni, NJ Devil and giveaways for the participants and their families.
The Devils Community and Grassroots Department visited the Woodbridge Community Center in Woodbridge, New Jersey during this weekend's event. Of the 50 participants who took part in the program at the Woodbridge rink was five-year-old Lucas Rodriguez who attended the day with his father, Raul Rodriguez.
"Playing hockey is fun because it's different from other sports," the five-year-old said. "Skating is my favorite part. I've been going to Devils games since I was one and my favorite hockey player is Nico Hischier."

His father valued the day, as he likes to play hockey himself. He felt it is a great way to not only expose children to the sport, but also parents.
"It's definitely good to expose the kids to hockey early," Rodriguez said. "Just giving them the chance to skate for free gives kids and parents the opportunity to be introduced to a new sport. I started playing hockey in my 30's so I wanted to make sure that my son got started at a younger age."
Accompanying the Devils front office staff was Devils alumni Grant Marshall and Bruce Driver. They spent the afternoon interacting with kids by hopping on the ice with them.

"After being fortunate enough to play in the NHL for 15 years, I feel honored in being able to give back to the community that has supported my career and the New Jersey Devils," Driver said of participating in these types of events. "I started working with kids when my kids] started playing, so I've been helping grow the game in New Jersey for 18 years. It's something that I have a passion for and truly enjoy."
Both former Devils attend these events often to support growing the sport of hockey in New Jersey. They enjoy getting on the ice with the kids and making the new timers' experiences memorable. A widespread event like this is special, as it gives children who might not have had the opportunity to learn the sport, get on the ice.
"To see so many kids come out a participate is an amazing feeling, as it just shows how great skating and the game of hockey has hit home to people from all over," Marshall said. "It is such a great way to bring people together."
USA Hockey and youth hockey associations will host another Try Hockey For Free day on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The next step for those who participate is to join the Devils Learn To Play program, which teaches children the fundamentals of hockey in a fun and engaging environment. To learn more about Try Hockey For Free or Learn To Play, visit
[newjerseydevils.com/njhockey
.