Making Strides on Ice: Positive Programs for Hockey

With many suggestions and new initiatives at Hockey Canada to address the prediction of 30,000 youngsters from leaving the rink by 2016, one organization has taken matters into their own gloves and implemented a program called Just Try It. Sports organizations know that the numbers are dwindling, but too few are finding creative ways to bring kids back to the game that so many Canadians love. Hockey leagues need to continually find new ways to grow the number of young participants in programs that will fuel the future of the sport. We as Canadians revere hockey as our national game, but it is only played by 16.5% of boys from across the nation. The crystal ball vision by Hockey Canada is disturbing to many who live for the chase of that small 6 ounces of rubber on ice. Many hockey organizations grapple with the problem of declining registration, while other sports have to turn kids away. Introducing the game to those that have never played is a challenge from coast to coast. An Alliance Hockey initiative is making strides to increase numbers, for their own benefit, with a program designed to give children aged 8-15, who have never played the game or worn skates, a chance to try it FREE of charge! Their initiative, Just Try It hockey day, is in the beginning stages with hopes for a full-stride program that can eventually be adopted across the country. Let’s talk about how to keep Canada in first place in the hockey world. Join in the conversation with our guests who have a deep-rooted love of our national game and its future in Canada. Tony Martindale, Joe O’Neill and a team of others from Alliance Hockey will be LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on Wednesday January 26th at 7PM EST. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to ask a question, talk with our guests or join the online chat.