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NAHL U.S. National Team

Hockey Wknd Across America Starts Friday; Much Planned

February 8, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


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

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics



North American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2009


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