Tampa Bay Lightning Invites Kids To Try Hockey For Free

TAMPA, FL – In its 24 years of existence, the Tampa Bay Lightning has worked tirelessly to promote the sport of hockey in its nontraditional hockey market.

The team’s efforts has paid off in numerous ways, from filling the Amalie Arena on game nights to helping youth players find success on the ice. Most notably, the Lightning High School Hockey League produced Florida’s first-ever USA Hockey High School National Champion from the state of Florida, J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey.

As part of the team’s continuing efforts to promote youth hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning will participate in USA Hockey’s Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, Nov. 12 at multiple ice rinks across the state. The event, part of Come Play Hockey Month, gives free ice time for children who would like to try their hand at hockey.

The Try Hockey For Free Day initiative is led by 500 local associations across the country and encourages children ages 4 to 9 to visit a participating rink and try youth hockey. All locations will have equipment to loan to those who need it.

Two Tampa Bay-area rinks participating are participating in the event:

• Brandon Ice Sports Forum, 10222 Elizabeth Place, Tampa, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.
• Clearwater Ice Arena, 13940 Icot Blvd., 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

The Lightning will also host the following Try Hockey For Free Day events in Central and North Florida:

• RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd, Orlando, 11 a.m. to noon
• Daytona International Skateway, 2400 S. Ridgewood Ave, #63D, South Daytona, 8:15 to 9 a.m.
• Jax Ice, 3605 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, 9 to 10 a.m.
• Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children must be registered at www.TryHockeyForFree.com in order to participate. For more information, call (719) 538-1124 or e-mail comeplayyouthhockey@usahockey.org.

Image via Patch