Since USA Hockey launched the first Try Hockey for Free day in 2010, more than 270,000 youngsters and their families have been introduced to the game. 

It’s a chance for families to give the game a try without the expense and commitment that comes with signing up for a local program. Some find that the sport is not for them. Many others have used the opportunity as a launching pad for a lifetime in the game. 

This November, 300 rinks around the country including six associations around New York hosted events where aspiring players were able to hit the ice, literally and figuratively, under the guidance of experienced coaches and dedicated volunteers. 

With a strong developmental program from Mites to Midgets, the Geneva Generals Youth Hockey Association used the Try Hockey for Free event as a way to welcome new skaters into the hockey community in a fun and friendly way. 

As most fall sports were winding down, organizers reached out to parents looking for other programs that would keep their kids busy through the winter months. They managed to recruit 27 kids, most between the ages of 4 and 6 years old, to come out early on a Saturday morning to give the game a try. 

“We used the Try Hockey free event as an intro to our Introduction to Hockey program,” said Sarah Mantell Marino, who along with Mike Vorozilchak have taken the lead in welcoming new players into the program. “Now we will have six weeks until right before Christmas where the kids can come for an hour every Saturday and learn the fundamentals of skating and playing the game.” 

Judging from the number of kids who returned the following weekend – 26 of the 27 returned, with the one exception missing due to illness – the event was a successful way to keep the player pipeline flowing within the association. 

“I think it was a success,” Mantell Marino said. “It let the kids get their feet wet and then we can merge them into the program if they want to move forward.” 

Prior to getting on the ice, organizers hosted a meet and greet where parents could ask questions and fill out the necessary paperwork before having their players properly fitted from head to toe with protective equipment. The following morning players were ready to go once the coaches opened the doors. 
“It was pretty seamless and it gave parents time to ask all their questions in advance so we could get right on the ice,” Mantell Marino said. 

After going over a few basics, such as learning how to get up after falling down and how to hold the stick, players were on their way to having fun. It didn’t take long for many of the youngsters to find their footing, shedding their skating tutors and looking to challenge themselves with other skills. 

“We can watch these kids grow week over week and kind of encourage those who are really showing excitement and promise in the sport to direct them into our 8U program,” Mantell Marino said. 

For some programs, such as the Schenectady Youth Hockey Association, the November date for a Try Hockey for Free event came a little late on the calendar. Their mini-Mites program is already up and running in October so getting parents to sign up can be a challenge. Still, everyone was welcome to get on the ice and take a spin around the rink. 

“Even if we get one kid to sign up for our program, I think that is a successful program. The president of our organization feels the same way,” said Victoria Colucci, who was a driving force behind the Schenectady event. “This is a great program and we love to do it. When we did last session, we got quite a few kids.” 

USA Hockey will hold a second Try Hockey For Free event on Feb. 22, 2025 as part of its annual Hockey Week Across America celebration.  

Colucci is already planning to have a larger turnout in February as more kids and their parents are ramping up for the upcoming Spring and Fall season. 

“We already have plans for February. We’ll probably start promoting it sometime in December when we get flyers out to the schools,” she said. “That program ends up being a lot bigger for some reason. It’s the middle of winter and everybody wants to play hockey.”