Try Hockey for Free!

Quick post to tell you about an upcoming USA Hockey event.

Have your kids ever wanted to try hockey but the high costs pushed you away? Well, here's your chance! As part of Hockey Weekend Across America, area rinks will be offering the opportunity to try the greatest game in the world.

"On March 1, 2014, USA Hockey and over 400 local programs across the country will encourage kids, ages 4 to 9, to come to a local participating rink and try youth hockey as part of Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by CCM. All locations have a limited amount of equipment available for use."

The best way to find a participating rink close to you is to search here on the Try Hockey for Free website. There's an interactive map that allows you to enter your zip code (at the bottom of the map) and search for rinks in your area. (I'll warn you that it didn't work very well for me on my iPhone, so if you want to save yourself some frustration it's best to use a laptop or maybe a tablet.)

I've listed some of the participating rinks in the Philly area after the jump for your reference, with links to register for each location. The start time varies by location, so be sure to check it closely and find the best rink for your location and schedule.

Have you participated in past Try Hockey for Free events? If so, we'd love to hear how it went. Post a comment about your experience. Here's an article about the November event from the Lehigh Valley Flames.

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Beeski Bits - July 29, 2013

Random updates from around the DVHL

Local prospects selected in NHL Draft

Every young hockey player dreams of getting drafted to the NHL some day. Sometimes dreams come true - local prospects Eamon McAdam and Jimmy Lodge were selected in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft on Sunday!

McAdam, a goalie, played with Team Comcast before moving on to the USHL. He was selected in the third round (70th) by the New York Islanders. From the Team Comcast website:

"The Team Comcast Youth Hockey Club congratulates former goaltender Eamon McAdam on being drafted 70th overall, in the third round of the NHL Draft. Eamon is a 1994-born goaltender who spent four of his formative years with the Club, backstopping Coach Rob Badger’s teams to much success."

Lodge is a Downingtown native who moved to Toronto at age 13 to play minor hockey. He plays with Saginaw in the OHL and was drafted by Winnipeg with the 84th pick overall. I wasn't able to find out where he played youth hockey before moving to Toronto. If any of you readers know the answer, please share in a comment.

Impact of the ADM

Good article here from ESPN The Magazine about the impact the ADM is having on youth hockey in Michigan. I know the ADM is everyone's favorite topic.

Personally, I'm a fan. Smaller ice means more touches and more emphasis on skating and puck skills. There's a reason that most other sports adjust the size of the playing area to the size of the players. Maybe I'm biased since my older son is small for his age and at the mite level he was one of those kids trying to keep up as the bigger kids rushed up and down the ice.

But I will admit - I don't enjoy going to watch cross ice games nearly as much as I used to like watching the mites play full ice. And I know my little guy will have to make a big adjustment when it comes time to play on the full ice.

What do you think, parents?

Click here for the article.