Sixth Annual Hockey Weekend Across America Less Than Two Weeks Away

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey will lead the nation in the sixth annual Hockey Weekend Across America presented by CCM, Feb. 15-17.

“Hockey Weekend Across America has become a signature event on the hockey calendar,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “This weekend is about celebrating our great game and those involved at all levels and also about exposing our game to new audiences as we continue to expand the reach of our sport.”

Each of the three days of Hockey Weekend Across America features a special theme, including Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey, sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com on Friday; Try Hockey Day, sponsored by the National Hockey League on Saturday; and Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes on Sunday.

Now through Feb. 17 fans can enter the CCM “Pick Six Sweepstakes” to win one of three grand prizes — the choice of six of 12 CCM products, including a hockey stick, hockey gloves, helmet/facemask combo, hockey pants, shoulder pads, shin pads, hockey bag, elbow pads, winter jacket, mini-hockey set, sports bag or golf bag. In addition to the grand prize winners, three “Pick Six” daily prize winners (one per day of Hockey Weekend Across America) will receive a CCM “Strap a Rocket to the Puck” hockey stick and 30 consolation prizes of a USA Hockey custom hat will be awarded (10 per day of Hockey Weekend Across America). Visit HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com and click “Sweepstakes” in the top right corner to enter.

The HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com website contains a list of activities across the country for hockey fans and players to get involved in. Associations and teams celebrating Hockey Weekend Across America are encouraged to submit their event plans to USA Hockey on this site too. Promotional materials, like posters, logos and dasherboards are also available for dowload.

“Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day” on Friday, Feb. 15, is the day for fans to show off their hockey pride by wearing their prized hockey jerseys. USA Hockey’s Facebook andTwitter pages will accept photos from families, friends, and colleagues in search of the most passionate hockey fans.

On Saturday, Feb. 16, hundreds of rinks nationwide will host “Try Hockey for Free” clinics, allowing thousands of children to experience hockey for the first time. Arenas interested in hosting an event and players wishing to take part should visitHockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com for more details.

To cap off the weekend, “Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes” day on Sunday, Feb. 17, encourages hockey programs nationwide to develop ways to honor their local hockey heroes. USA Hockey invites all to post pictures and stories on its Facebook and Twitterpages. The day also includes NBC’s Hockey Day in America coverage, which includes an NHL doubleheader on NBC (Buffalo at Pittsburgh; Los Angeles at Chicago) and coverage of a third NHL game that evening on NBC Sports Network (Washington at New York Rangers). Along with its game coverage, NBC will also produce content in and around the games showcasing hockey at all levels in the United States.

Hockey Weekend Across America was created by USA Hockey in 2008 to engage the hockey community in celebrating the sport of hockey at all levels and exposing the sport to new audiences.