COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A record 12,602 boys and girls participated in USA Hockey's Try Hockey for Free Day last Saturday (Nov. 2). A total of 486 locations, representing 48 states, put on events that provided free equipment and a chance to experience youth hockey for the very first time.

“We’re thrilled with the record turnout during last weekend’s Try Hockey for Free Day,” said Pat Kelleher, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of development. “We greatly appreciate the energy from our volunteers who introduced our sport to the next generation of hockey players, and the support from all levels of the game, particularly the NHL and its member clubs.”

Among the hundreds of rinks that participated in Try Hockey For Free Day, which is supported by Total Hockey and Liberty Mutual Insurance, highlights included:

• Many NHL franchises promoted local Try Hockey for Free opportunities and several sponsored their own events.
• Across the state of Minnesota, nearly 2,000 kids participated at 74 different events to lead the nation.
• Over two sessions, Bay County (Mich.) Hockey Association put 150 youngsters on the ice at Bay County Civic Arena.
• The Richmond (Va.) Generals Hockey League drew 51 children to SkateNation Plus.
• The Oshkosh (Wis.) Youth Hockey Association had 114 first-timers.
• Fifty-seven kids flocked to the Taos (N.M.) Youth Hockey Association event at Taos Youth & Family Center.
• The Portland Jr. Hawks had 63 players at the Winterhawks Skating Center in Beaverton, Ore.

Complete information for rinks that participated in the event can be found at TryHockeyForFree.com. The next opportunity will be March 1, 2014, as part of Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by CCM.

NOTES: Try Hockey For Free Day is designed to provide youth hockey associations a national platform to introduce new kids to the sport. It is part of Come Play Hockey Month, a joint‐effort between USA Hockey, the National Hockey League, and NHL member clubs. Total Hockey and Liberty Mutual Insurance are the official sponsors of Try Hockey For Free Day.