Penguins host 8th annual Free Game for Kids

PPG Paints Arena was packed with an electric crowd of adrenalized youth hockey players on the afternoon of Sunday during the Pittsburgh Penguins preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. Seats were filled with players from all across the state sporting their respective clubs' jerseys and united to support the Penguins as they hosted their eighth annual "Free Game for Kids."

Wyatt McVerry, who plays Bantam with the Mt. Lebanon Hornets, sat just behind the Penguins net alongside his teammates. The 14-year old is an avid Penguins fan. He plays right-wing and said Jake Guentzel is his favorite player.
"It's always fun to come see the players," McVerry said. "[To] see who scores, watch the game and hang out with my friends and teammates."
Bryan Portman, a board member of the Mt. Lebanon Hornets discussed the, "tremendous growth" of hockey across the state, specifically in the western Pennsylvania region.
"Our association has basically doubled in numbers over the last five years," Portman said. "We've come for the past seven or eight years. I feel like the vibe is always good, the kids are super excited about it. It's great to promote youth hockey. It's been an awesome experience."

"It's terrific," Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said. "It's such a great experience for the kids to see the game up close and personal. I think hockey is a sport that is hard to capture the essence of it on television.
"I think there is something to be said for the vibe when you're in the building and you get to see it live. That's one of the great things about our game. To have the kids have an opportunity to see it in an afternoon game like this, it's such a great setting."
The arena was rocking with animated young fans shouting, "Let's go Pens!" The atmosphere was much different than what the Penguins are accustomed to.
"Yeah, it was definitely a little higher pitched than a normal crowd," Right winger Bryan Rust said. "When I was growing up I would for sure take the opportunity to take advantage of that."
The Penguins donated over 18,000 tickets to various youth hockey organizations throughout the region, including several amateur hockey programs. The Penguins organization takes pride in its initiative to cultivate and excite youth to play hockey throughout the state. The Free Game for Kids provides Pennsylvania's youth with the chance to experience hockey at its most elite level.
Penguins CEO and president, David Morehouse, recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for the youth and community of Pittsburgh to be exposed to the sport.
"It's one of our favorite games," Morehouse said. "It's probably the loudest preseason game you'll ever hear. Kids are really excited, they're screaming, you can feel the energy in the building. We look forward to the opportunity of allowing kids to see games, some of them can't afford it normally. We're sold out on attendance."
The game was presented by presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods. Dave Natale, the Director of Community Marketing with DICK'S Sporting Goods, commented on the partnership between DICK'S and the Penguins.
"We're thrilled to be back here for the 2018 version of the Free Game for Kids with the Pittsburgh Penguins," Natale said. "This is an extension of our partnership. We've been partners with the Penguins since we came to Pittsburgh in the mid-90s. It's been about what we can do to support fans here in this community and also what we can do to help develop the youth component of hockey. There's been an explosion over the last 10 years. We're proud to have partnered with the Penguins on that road."
The youth audience was incorporated in various aspects throughout the game. A starting lineup of eight DICK'S Sporting Goods Junior Starters of the game represented the eight different local hockey associations, as well as two junior officials of the game. During intermission, the Steel City Selects 12U Girls Team and the Lawrence County Lightning participated in shootouts. And a few members of local hockey associations were selected to ride the Zamboni during intermissions.
The Penguins' recent addition, Jack Johnson, was facing his hometown team of Detroit.
"I think it's really cool all the kids came in for free," Johnson said. "It doesn't feel like that long ago I was one of those kids. They obviously all love hockey, love the game and love the Penguins so that's really neat."