Banner: Learn to Play

About the Program and Participating Locations & Times

The Florida Panthers in conjunction with the NHL, NHLPA and USA Hockey will be hosting "Florida Panthers Learn To Play" for boys and girls ages 5-9. All registrants must be first time ice hockey participants and have never been registered with USA hockey. The program was developed in an effort to reduce cost barriers to ice hockey participation by providing free equipment. The Learn To Play program primary goal is to create the next generation of hockey players and fans who will remain engaged with the game throughout the rest of their lives.

Every participant will receive 6 weeks of on-ice training with Florida Panthers Alumni and USA Hockey Certified Coaches. Each participant will also be custom fitted for a full set of hockey equipment that they will use during the program and keep at the conclusion of the 6 weeks.

The Florida Panthers Learn To Play curriculum is designed in conjunction with USA Hockey's "Gold Standard" which utilizes an age appropriate Long Term Athlete Development structure known as the American Development Model. This model ensures that the program structure is both fun AND effective.

*No minimum experience is required to participate in the program. However, some previous on-ice experience such as a Learn to Skate class is highly recommended.

Learn to Play is a one time experience. No makeup sessions are able to be provided.

In order to guarantee on time delivery of equipment for the first day, all participants must be registered no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of the program.

Once equipment orders are placed refunds are unavailable and registrations are unable to be moved to future sessions.

For any questions, please email Mikinzi Jackson at [email protected] and Matt Janusz at [email protected]

2026-27 Learn to Play Sessions

Baptist Health IcePlex 1

800 NE 8th Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Week 1

  • Saturday, July 11th, 2026
  • 8:45am-9:45am
  • Baptist Health IcePlex

Week 2

  • Saturday, July 18th, 2026
  • 8:45am-9:45am
  • Baptist Health IcePlex

Week 3

  • Saturday, July 25th, 2026
  • 8:45am-9:45am
  • Baptist Health IcePlex

Week 4

  • Saturday, August 1st, 2026
  • 8:45am-9:45am
  • Baptist Health IcePlex

Week 5

  • Saturday, August 8th, 2026
  • 8:45am-9:45am
  • Baptist Health IcePlex

Week 6

  • Saturday, August 15th, 2026
  • 8:45am-9:45am
  • Baptist Health IcePlex
Palm Beach Skate Zone 1

8125 Lake Worth Rd
Lake Worth FL, 33467

Week 1

  • Sunday, July 12th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 2

  • Sunday, July 19th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 3

  • Sunday, July 26th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 4

  • Sunday, August 2nd, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 5

  • Sunday, August 9th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 6

  • Sunday, August 16th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone
Panthers IceDen 1

3299 SportsPlex Dr

Coral Springs, FL 33065

Week 1

  • Saturday, July 18th, 2026
  • 8:15am-9:15am
  • Panthers IceDen

Week 2

  • Saturday, July 25th, 2026
  • 8:15am-9:15am
  • Panthers IceDen

Week 3

  • Saturday, August 1st, 2026
  • 8:15am-9:15am
  • Panthers IceDen

Week 4

  • Saturday, August 8th, 2026
  • 8:15am-9:15am
  • Panthers IceDen

Week 5

  • Saturday, August 15th, 2026
  • 8:15am-9:15am
  • Panthers IceDen

Week 6

  • Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
  • 8:15am-9:15am
  • Panthers IceDen
The Rink on the Beach 1

4601 N Federal Hwy

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Week 1

  • Sunday, August 9th, 2026
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • The Rink on the Beach

Week 2

  • Sunday, August 16th,2026
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • The Rink on the Beach

Week 3

  • Sunday, August 23rd,2026
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • The Rink on the Beach

Week 4

  • Sunday, August 30th, 2026
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • The Rink on the Beach

\Skip a Week\

Week 5

  • Sunday, September 13th,2026
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • The Rink on the Beach

Week 6

  • Sunday, September 20th,2026
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • The Rink on the Beach
Boca Ice 1

900 Peninsula Corp Cir

Boca Raton, FL 33487

Week 1

  • Sunday, July 19th, 2026
  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm
  • Boca Ice

Week 2

  • Sunday, July 26th, 2026
  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm
  • Boca Ice

Week 3

  • Sunday, August 2nd, 2026
  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm
  • Boca Ice

Week 4

  • Sunday, August 9th, 2026
  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm
  • Boca Ice

Week 5

  • Sunday, August 16th, 2026
  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm
  • Boca Ice

Week 6

  • Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm
  • Boca Ice
Palm Beach Skate Zone 2

8125 Lake Worth Rd

Lake Worth FL, 33467

Week 1

  • Sunday, September 13th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 2

  • Sunday, September 20th, 2026
  • 10:50am-11:50am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 3

  • Sunday, September 27th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 4

  • Sunday, October 4th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

\Skip a Week\

Week 5

  • Sunday, October 18th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Week 6

  • Sunday, October 25th, 2026
  • 10:10am-11:10am
  • Palm Beach Skate Zone

Learn to Play FAQS

Where can I get my child measured for the Virtual Fitting?

You can get your child measured at any of our Rink pro shops or at your nearest Pure Hockey location. Once you have their measurements, be sure to write them down — you'll need to submit them on Pure Hockey's website to complete your order!

What are the eligibility requirements for the Florida Panthers Learn to Play?

The Florida Panthers Learn to Play program is offered to new, first-time participants (boys and girls), between the ages of five (5) and nine (9). First-time participants are those who have not previously participated in a hockey league/program (house/rec league, learn to play, mini-mites, camps, etc.) or registered with USA Hockey. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that participants complete a Learn to Skate session at their local ice rink prior to enrolling in Learn to Play.

*If we become aware that a registered child has previous hockey league/program experience, the child will be removed from the Florida Panthers program and the parent/guardian(s) will not be refunded.

Does my child need to know how to skate before they sign up for the Panthers Learn to Play?

While skating experience is not required to sign up for Panthers Learn to Play, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND that children complete a Learn to Skate program at your local rink beforehand. Public skating sessions are also a wonderful way for kids to build confidence and get comfortable on the ice before their first practice. It is recommended that all players be able to skate forward under their own power at an above walking pace by the start of the first session. 

For more information about Learn to Skate programs, please contact your local rink.

Where is the Florida Panthers Learn to Play program offered?

Palm Beach County:  

  • Palm Beach IceWorks (1590 N Florida Mango Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33409) 

  • Palm Beach Skate Zone (8125 Lake Worth Rd, Wellington, FL 33467) 

  • Boca Ice (900 Peninsula Corp Cir, Boca Raton, FL 33487) 

Broward County: 

  • The Rink on the Beach (4601 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33064) 

  • Florida Panthers IceDen (3299 Sportsplex Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33065) 

  • Baptist Health IcePlex (800 NE 8th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304) 

Miami Dade County:  

  • Miami Ice Arena (10355 Hammocks Blvd, Miami, FL 33196) 

  • Scott Rakow Youth Center (2700 Sheridan Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140)

I registered my child for the Florida Panthers Learn to Play program, but my child can no longer participate. Can I cancel my registration?

We understand that things change and ask that you contact us as soon as possible with any refund requests. Please understand the Florida Panthers Learn to Play program cannot offer refunds for participants that: do not meet the program eligibility requirements; register for multiple locations/sessions; or cancel after the registrant’s equipment is kitted and/or picked up. This policy is in place because once registration fees are collected, preparations for an individual’s participation begin quickly by the Panthers as well as host sites to kit equipment, plan ice time/coaches and other fixed costs. All of which are expenses that cannot be recouped if a registrant cancels in the above instances. We care about your customer experience and will work to accommodate each request individually. Please email [email protected] with any cancellation questions.

What equipment is provided or required for the Florida Panthers Learn to Play program?

Each registrant will receive head-to-toe equipment. The equipment provided includes: a helmet (with a cage), neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, shin guards, hockey skates, Florida Panthers Learn to Play jersey, hockey socks, hockey stick and hockey bag. We strongly encourage participants to purchase their own hockey tape, mouth guard, and a protective jock/jill. All equipment is required to get on the ice each session. Your skater MUST have a cage/bubble on their helmet in order to get on the ice. Participants keep the equipment upon graduating from the Florida Panthers Learn to Play program.

When should I expect to hear about / order my child’s equipment?

After registering, you can expect an email from Mikinzi Jackson ([email protected]) within 1 month of the program start date. To ensure delivery by the first day of the program, we recommend placing your order within 3 weeks of the program start date. Once you receive your equipment, try everything on right away to confirm proper fit — exchanges can be initiated as soon as the gear is in your hands. All exchanges are handled through our Pure Hockey facility in Massachusetts and typically take up to a week to arrive.  For exchange requests or any questions, please contact Mikinzi Jackson at [email protected].

My child has just completed Learn to Play, what’s next?

Next steps will be communicated to each group at the conclusion of the program. Each rink offers different progression options based on your child's skill level at the time of their evaluation, so please do not sign up for next steps beforehand. Please note that if your child is not yet ready for the program, they may be removed without a refund. For questions about next steps, please contact your rink directly or reach out to Mikinzi Jackson at [email protected].

What is USA Hockey and why is my child registered with them?

USA Hockey is the national governing body of ice hockey in the United States (https://www.usahockey.com/). USA Hockey provides a number of resources for the Learn to Play program, including; age-appropriate training modules and practice plans, coaching certification, background screening and insurance for all Learn to Play participants. Each Little Penguins participant receives a free USA Hockey player membership for the season in which they complete the program. Once processed, the membership confirmation email is sent directly to each participants' primary e-mail used during registration. This e-mail includes the participants USA Hockey confirmation number.