STATE COLLEGE — The State College Youth Ice Hockey Association will be holding its first Try Hockey for Free clinic at the Pegula Ice Arena’s Community Rink (Gate C) on Friday, Aug. 22, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The SCYIHA is a nonprofit association providing hockey opportunities for boys and girls at the 8U to the 19U level. The association also provides full-season play through the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League and AA Tournament Teams.
The clinic, according to SCYIHA vice president Stefan Lewellen, will be open to girls and boys from four to 12 years of age with the intention of introducing them to skating and ice hockey.
Skates, sticks and protective hockey equipment will be required for all skaters, Lewellen said, and equipment will be available to rent at the event for no cost. Players are also welcome to bring their own equipment.
In addition, there will be a free equipment swap at the same time as the Try Hockey for Free event, where skaters can potentially secure free hockey equipment passed down from current players.
“This is for kids who have never played hockey before or are just getting their feet wet can come in and try the sport for free. And maybe score some equipment at the same time.”
The event will be arranged around stations that concentrate on skating and aspects of the sport like shooting on goal and playing defense.
“There will also be some surprises,” Lewellen said. There will also be some surprise activities, games and even some unannounced guests.
“We are hoping to get people excited about hockey and possibly get interested in one of our teams or one of the programs offered by the Pegula Arena. We can’t take players who can’t exhibit basic skating behavior on our teams, so Pegula offers what they call Learn to Play Classes where they teach children basic skating skills.”
“And once they show their ability after the classes, they can register for our associations. So we are basically teaming with Pegula and supplying coaches to begin the process of developing hockey players.”
The State College Youth Ice Hockey teams participate in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League with teams at the 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U levels.
The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. but Lewellen said players should arrive by 5 p.m. to get all of the equipment properly fitted for all of the players.
