For the second consecutive year, Skyland Kings hockey teams participated in the Sussex County Foster Child gift drive. The Pee Wee Black, Gold, Navy, Bantam White and Squirt White teams sponsored nine children who provided their Christmas wish lists. The teams collected four bicycles, a big screen TV for two children who recently moved from a homeless shelter into their own apartment, an Xbox, games, toys, clothes and gift cards. The Kings hockey families are honored to help foster children in Sussex County celebrate Christmas.

Article and picture by Kristin McCabe

The post Skyland Kings Hockey Helps Foster Children first appeared on Firland Management.

Sabres alumnus Patrick Kaleta will continue in his third year of implementing and managing the program. As a Buffalo native, Kaleta has worked with numerous local charity organizations throughout his career to help benefit families in Western New York.

“The first two years of the Learn To Play program greatly exceeded our expectations,” Kaleta said. We’ve graduated more than 1,200 new youth players, a feat that our group is incredibly proud of. I’m excited to get year three started,and looking forward to meeting all of our new participants.”

All Buffalo Sabres Learn to Play participants will be outfitted at Pure Hockey, the official hockey retail partner of the Buffalo Sabres and Harborcenter. Equipment kits will include a helmet, stick, equipment bag, jersey, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, pants, shin pads, socks and skates.

Introduced in 2016, Learn to Play enhances the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants from ages four to nine with free head-to-toe equipment, age-appropriate instruction and certified coaching led by NHL alumni in a fun and safe atmosphere. The program has expanded to include a total of 12 local rinks this season with lessons taught by Sabres alumni and USA Hockey certified instructors.

NHL alumni work with all NHL teams to make sure a consistent message of on-ice programming and messaging to coaches and parents is distributed across all markets. The program also works with USA Hockey to display the benefits of the American Development Model.

Developed with the help of experts from USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, the NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play initiative aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community.

https://learntoplay.nhl.com/sabres

The post Cornerstone Arena hosting the Buffalo Sabres Learn to Play Hockey first appeared on Firland Management.

August 15, 2018 1:30 pm ET

STOCKHOLM, N.J. — The New York Rangers are continuing to grow the future of RangersTown with the Junior Rangers Rookie Series, a program specially designed in cooperation with USA Hockey to introduce young beginners to the game of hockey.

Children will experience the fun and excitement of hockey, while learning the basic skills needed to enjoy the sport and have success on the ice.

At Skylands Ice World in Stockholm, N.J., the Junior Rangers Rookie Series will offer three levels based on experience beginning in early September. The levels offered include:

Try Hockey For Free (Ages 5-9)Try Hockey for Free is designed for kids with little or no prior skating experience. Rangers alumni and Junior Rangers staff lead a one-day session at Skylands Ice World. The session includes free rental skates and loaner equipment, a free Rangers hockey stick for children to take home and a post-skate meet and greet with Rangers alumni.

The program is limited to 75 participants and space is filled by a first-come, first-serve basis.

For additional dates, locations and registration visit NYRangers.com/Junior.

Learn to Play (Ages 5-9)Learn to Play is an introductory program that teaches new youth players the basic skills of skating, stick-handling, passing and shooting through 12 one-hour lessons. In addition, children will learn about hard-work and commitment on and off the ice.

The $175 registration fee includes a brand-new set of CCM hockey equipment custom fitted at Pure Hockey retail locations as well as special appearances by Rangers alumni.

The program will start in September 2018. For dates and registration visit NYRangers.com/Junior.

Rookie League (Ages 5-10)With the basics covered, the Rookie League offers youth players the chance to put their skills to the test in a fun and competitive environment. Participants will learn basic game and team concepts. The program will also build important characteristics on and off the ice including teamwork, responsibility and respect.

Once a week, players will have the opportunity to play games led by Junior Rangers staff hosted at Skylands Ice World.

The $250 league fee includes 12 games per season, a Junior Rangers Jersey as well as a Junior Rangers Jamboree to celebrate the end of the season.

For additional information and registration visit NYRangers.com/Junior.

For more information on Junior Rangers, visit NYRangers.com/Junior and follow Junior Rangers on Twitter @juniorrangers and Instagram @juniorrangers.

Skylands Ice World is located at 2765 Route 23 in Stockholm, N.J.

For more information, call 973-697-1600.

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