USA Hockey announced today the addition of Kraft Foods as an official sponsor of the organization.

The multi-year agreement is highlighted by USA Hockey’s support of the award-winning KraftHockeyville program, which is launching in the United States on Jan. 1, 2015. Kraft Hockeyville will give hockey towns in the U.S. a chance to enter to win a $150,000 arena makeover courtesy of Kraft, have an NHL preseason game played in its local arena that is showcased on TV, and earn the title, “Kraft Hockeyville” for the year.

In addition, Kraft will be designated as the presenting sponsor of USA Hockey’s highly successful national Try Hockey for Free Days, the first for the 2014-15 season which is set for Nov. 8.

“Kraft is home to some of the most beloved and iconic brands in the food and beverage industry and we’re thrilled to have them as a partner,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship and appreciate their desire to be part of our efforts to help to continue to grow and advance our sport.”

Kraft will also be designated as a “Proud Partner of USA Hockey Families.”

“Hockey arenas, like all local sports facilities, are gathering places for communities; places where kids go to learn, play and compete,” said Dino Bianco, Executive Vice President and President, Kraft Beverages. “USA Hockey is a tremendous partner helping us to earn a place in our consumers’ lives by forging meaningful family connections and celebrating the spirit of amateur sports.”

ABOUT USA HOCKEY
USA Hockey Inc., founded on October 29, 1937, and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders; and connects the game at every level while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. More than one million strong, including players, coaches, officials and volunteers that span all 50 states, USA Hockey is the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States and has important partnerships with the National Hockey League, United States Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. For more information, visit usahockey.com.

Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: KRFT) is one of North America’s largest consumer packaged food and beverage companies, with annual revenues of more than $18 billion.  With the spirit of a startup and the soul of a powerhouse, Kraft has an unrivaled portfolio of products in the beverages, cheese, refrigerated meals and grocery categories. The company's iconic brands include Kraft, Capri Sun, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters and Velveeta. Kraft’s 22,500 employees in the U.S. and Canada have a passion for making the foods and beverages people love.  Kraft is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the NASDAQ-100 indices.  For more information, visit www.kraftfoodsgroup.com and www.facebook.com/kraft

For more information, contact Dave Fischer (DaveF@usahockey.org / 719.538.1171)