COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey will lead the nation in the eighth annual Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by CCM Hockey, Feb. 20-22.
“Hockey Weekend Across America is something the hockey community looks forward to each year,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “From grassroots programs across the country to the National Hockey League and every level in between, this weekend is about celebrating all the wonderful things about our sport and also giving new people a chance to try our game, whether it be on the ice as a player or as a fan attending a game.”
Each of the three days of Hockey Weekend Across America features a special theme.
“Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day” on Friday, Feb. 20, sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com, is the day for fans to show off their hockey pride by wearing their prized hockey jerseys. USA Hockey’s Facebook and Twitter pages will accept photos from all in search of the most passionate hockey fans.
Saturday, Feb. 21, is “Try Hockey Day,” sponsored by the National Hockey League. Hundreds of rinks nationwide will host Try Hockey for Free clinics, presented by Kraft, allowing thousands of children to experience hockey for the first time. To find a participating rink near you and register, visit TryHockeyforFree.com.
To cap off the weekend, “Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes” day on Sunday, Feb. 22, encourages all involved in the game to develop ways to honor their local hockey heroes. USA Hockey invites fans to post pictures and stories on its Facebook and Twitter pages. The day, which falls on the 35th anniversary of Miracle on Ice, also includes NBC’s Hockey Day in America coverage that comprises an NHL tripleheader. The day begins at 12 noon ET with a half-hour pre-game show on NBC in advance of two games on the network (Washington at Philadelphia; Boston at Chicago). NBCSN will conclude Hockey Day in America coverage on Sunday evening with the Dallas at Minnesota game. Along with its game coverage, NBC will also produce content in and around the games showcasing hockey at all levels in the United States.
Fans can register for the Hockey Weekend Across America CCM “Tacks Are Back” Sweepstakes now through Feb. 22. Three grand prize packages will be awarded (one on each day of Hockey Weekend Across America), each including a CCM hockey stick, helmet/facemask combo, hockey bag and skates. Second and third place prizes will also be awarded. Visit HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com and click “Sweepstakes” in the top menu to enter.
At 18 NHL games in American cities as part of Hockey Weekend Across America, two young officials will have the chance to meet with NHL officials working the particular contest prior to teh game and then stay to watch those NHL officials in action.
For full information surrounding the weekend, visit HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com. Associations, teams and communities celebrating Hockey Weekend Across America are encouraged to submit their event plans to USA Hockey at this site. Promotional materials, including posters and logos, are also available for download. Use the hashtag #HWAA on Twitter in association with the event.
NOTES: 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 … Liberty Mutual and Total Hockey are sponsors of Try Hockey for Free Day.
