On Saturday, the Nashville Predators celebrated a recent partnership with the Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association, which continues the growth of the game in East Tennessee.
At the Cool Sports Home of the Icearium, the Preds debuted the "Knoxville Predators" brand, which will expand up the rapid growth the city's single rink has seen over the past year. The gathering of more than 400 people featured the KAHA presenting Preds Senior Vice President of Tickets, Premium Sales and Youth Hockey Nat Harden, Ford Ice Center General Manager Danny Butler and several youth participants with Knoxville Predators jerseys and a look ahead at the promising opportunities on the horizon for the region.
Since the Preds introduced their learn-to-play program, Little Preds: Learn to Play, to Knoxville in 2015, the Icearium has seen their youth hockey numbers rise to 200 players, a nearly 15 percent increase in attendance, and they're aiming for even more. KAHA President Scott Ingmand wants the program to reach 600 skaters by the year 2020 and for an additional ice sheet to be installed.
Preds, KAHA Celebrate Debut of Knoxville Predators
More Than 400 People Gather in Knoxville to Celebrate Growth of Youth Hockey
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