FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Fischer (davef@usahockey.org)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hockey Weekend Across America Set to Begin Friday
Celebration is for All Levels of Hockey Across the United States
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The second annual Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok, begins Friday (Feb. 13) and runs through Sunday (Feb. 15).
Hockey Weekend Across America's objective is to celebrate hockey and all those involved in the game at all levels and also expose the game to
additional audiences to attract more players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans to the sport.
"It's important that we celebrate our great game on a national level together at least once a season and Hockey Weekend Across America provides a
platform for that to take place," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "We're excited about the traction this effort has gained and look forward to all the activity that will take place around the country this coming weekend."
Each of the three days of Hockey Weekend Across America has a theme, including:
Friday (Feb. 15) - Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey, sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com
Saturday (Feb. 16) - Bring a Friend to the Rink, sponsored by the NHL
Sunday (Feb. 17) - Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes, sponsored by the Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports program
Fans across the country may register for Hockey Weekend Across America's Great Jersey Giveaway at HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com
Each day
of Hockey Weekend Across America, 15 lucky fans will win an authentic NHL
jersey of their choice.
In addition, hockey associations/clubs from around the country may enter to win great prizes as part of Hockey Weekend Across America's Best Programming contest. The top prize is 25 sets of OneGoal starter hockey equipment, plus $2,000 cash. Five runner-up prizes of $1,000 cash wil also be awarded. The entry form can be downloaded by clicking here.
Listed below is a partial list of events happening around the country in conjunction with Hockey Weekend Across America, as well as a rundown of
special programming airing on the NHL Network in the United States as part of the celebration. Also listed are featured interviews taking place on XM
Radio's Hockey This Morning on channel 204.
NOTES: USA Hockey will stage media conference calls during the week of Hockey Weekend Across America with Zach Parise (Olympic hopeful and member
of the New Jersey Devils) and Angela Ruggiero (three-time Olympian) on
Tuesday (Feb. 10); Dave Ogrean (USA Hockey executive director) on Wednesday
(Feb. 11); Brian Burke (general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice
Hockey Team and president/general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs) on
Thursday (Feb. 12); and hockey media giants Mike Emrick, Kevin Allen and
Eddie Olczyk on Friday (Feb. 13) . Hockey Day in Michigan is set for
Saturday (Feb. 14) as part of Hockey Weekend Across America . The U.S.
National Under-18 Team, part of USA Hockey's National Team Development
Program, will play Colorado College on Sunday (Feb. 15) at 3 p.m. MT at the
Colorado Springs World Arena. The USA Hockey national offices are located
across the street from the World Arena ... The Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond
Hockey Championships will take place Feb. 13-15 on Dollar Lake in Eagle
River, Wis., as part of Hockey Weekend Across America. A record 200 teams
from 24 states will participate.
2009 Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok
A Look at Some of the Happenings Around the Country
Anchorage, Alaska
Hockey trivia week will take place at North Star Elementary School. There
will also be a floor hockey game pitting teachers against students and
Friday will be Hockey Jersey Day.
Westminster, Colo.
Bring a Friend to Hockey event is scheduled for Friday at Hyland Hills Ice
Arena with special guests from the Colorado Avalanche, Rocky Mountain Rage
and local University of Colorado and University of Denver hockey players.
Washington, D.C.
The Hollis Cavaliers Pee Wee team from New Hampshire will place a wreath at
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday.
Detroit, Mich.
Twenty teams will play in the Hockey in the Hood event at Jack Adams Arena
to promote diversity in hockey.
Geneva, Ill.
The Cyclones Youth Hockey Association is hosting a clinic and public skate
with discounts to individuals wearing a hockey jersey on Saturday. The group
is also hosting a youth tournament at the Fox Valley Ice Arena.
Sioux City, Iowa
Siouxland Youth Hockey Association is hosting a Let's Try Hockey event at
the IBP Ice Center on Saturday from 2-5 p.m.
Kansas City, Mo.
The Kansas City Fighting Saints will host a presentation on understanding
the game of hockey with instruction on timekeeping and scorekeeping on
Saturday.
Wall, New Jersey
The Mid-State Golden Blades are hosting a free "Skate with a Friend" event
on Friday, as well as a hockey clinic.
Albuquerque, N.M.
The University of New Mexico Lobo Club is hosting a skills development
clinic on Friday where fans can learn the basics of hockey from their
favorite Lobo players.
New York City, N.Y.
The New York Rangers are partnering with the New York City parks, USA Hockey
and the New York State Amateur Hockey Association to stage "Winter Hockey
Fest" at Wollman Ice Rink in New York City's Central Park on Saturday from 2
- 6 p.m. The day includes a Learn to Skate program, a sled hockey
demonstration, a youth hockey clinic and a family and fan appreciation
public skate.
Long Beach, N.Y.
The Long Beach Arena is inviting everyone to any public skating session at
the rink on Friday, where you can skate for free if you wear a hockey
jersey.
California, Pa.
The California University women's ice hockey team is putting on a one-hour
free hockey clinic for girls of all ages on Sunday starting at 4 p.m. at the
Rostraver Ice Garden.
NHL Network U.S.
Special Programming During Hockey Weekend Across America
Friday, Feb. 13
Men's College Hockey -- 7:30 p.m. ET -- Yale at Union
A battle of ECAC Hockey teams live from the Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles
Center in Schenectady, New York.
Saturday, Feb. 14
The 1996 World Cup of Hockey Best-of-Three Final -- USA vs. Canada
12:00 p.m. ET -- USA vs. Canada, Game 1 from Philadelphia, Pa.
2:00 p.m. ET -- USA vs. Canada, Game 2, from Montreal, Que.
4:00 p.m. ET -- USA vs. Canada, Game 3, from Montreal, Que.
Sunday, Feb. 15
An inside look at the lives of four prominent U.S. players:
7:00 p.m. ET -- Captains Driven by Bridgestone: Chris Clark
7:30 p.m. ET -- Captains Driven by Bridgestone: Chris Drury
8:00 p.m. ET -- Day in the Life: Doug Weight
8:30 p.m. ET -- Don Cherry's Grapevine: Pat LaFontaine
XM Satellite Radio
Hockey Weekend Across America Programming
Hockey This Morning on XM 204
All guests on with host Scott Laughlin at 9:25 a.m. ET
Monday, Feb. 9
Lou Vairo, 1984 U.S. Olympic Coach & USA Hockey director of special projects
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Brian Burke, general manager of 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team &
president and general manager of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Angela Ruggiero, seeking to make her fourth U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey
Team in 2010
Thursday, Feb. 12
Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey
Friday, Feb. 13
Stan "The Hockey Maven" Fischler, MSG Network
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