USA Hockey's American Development Model received special recognition from The Aspen Institute in its recent Sport for All, Play for Life report, earning praise as an exemplary program for fostering participation, age-appropriate development and physical fitness in youth sports. The National Hockey League was also lauded for its role in support of youth hockey initiatives through its funding and partnership with USA Hockey.

The report is part of Project Play, an ongoing effort initiated by The Aspen Institute to encourage a culture of good health among youth in America. This Wednesday (Feb. 25), 300 leaders from across the country will convene in Washington, D.C., at the 2015 Project Play Summit to propel forward recommendations from the report. The event culminates an 18-month effort aimed at re-imagining youth sports in America to provide children with more access to play and more positive play experiences.

USA Hockey Executive Director Dave Ogrean and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be among the featured panelists at the Project Play Summit, which will be staged at the Newseum.

"We support the efforts of Project Play in bringing entities together to focus on avenues that will result in all children having the opportunity to play sports," said Ogrean. "It's important that all stakeholders involved look for ways to help reverse the trend of declining physical activity in our country."

The 2015 Project Play Summit will include leaders from eight key sectors: community recreation, national sport organizations, policymakers, education, public health, business and tech/media. The event will also feature several Olympians who will join Aspen Institute Executive Director Tom Farrey in launching the recommendations put forth in Sport for All, Play for Life.