BOSTON - The Boston Bruins announced today, August 14, that the organization will embark on its first ever, seven-city Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour that will visit each New England state from August 26 - August 31, with the mission to grow the game of hockey throughout the region. The final stop will take place in Boston, MA during Boston Bruins Training Camp, presented by AT&T, in September. During the tour, the Bruins expect to outfit over 4,000 kids (ages 4-9) who have signed up for the Bruins Academy Learn to Play program in brand new CCM hockey gear valued at $500 (retail value) per player for a total of $2,000,000 (retail value) worth of equipment dispersed to local communities.

Current Bruins players, coaches, executives and NESN personalities Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley are expected to be on hand throughout the tour to play games and mingle with fans, sign autographs, take photos, participate in Q&A sessions and much more. In addition to getting fitted for brand new equipment, youth hockey players will be able to participate in drill work and have the opportunity to partake in NESN virtual reality experiences. Boston Bruins BFit will also be on hand to lead kid-friendly fitness activities at each stop. Please note that player, coach, executive and NESN personality appearances will vary at each location and are subject to change.

Admission to each tour stop is FREE and fans are welcome and encouraged to participate in all of the event's festivities.

Below is the full schedule for the tour (please note times & locations are subject to change):

Saturday, August 26

Portland, ME at Monument Square, 12- 6pm (456 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101)

Sunday, August 27

Manchester, NH at Arms Park, 12-6pm (10 Arms St, Manchester, NH 03101)

Monday, August 28

Burlington, VT at Burlington International Airport, 2-7pm (1200 Airport Dr, South Burlington, VT 05403)

Tuesday, August 29

Springfield, MA at Forest Park, 2-7pm (200 Trafton Rd, Springfield, MA 01108)

Wednesday, August 30

Hartford, CT at Bushnell Park, 2-7pm (60 Elm St, Hartford, CT 06106)

Thursday, August 31

Providence, RI at ALEX AND ANI City Center, 2-7pm (2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903)

The final stop for the Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour will take place in September during Boston Bruins Training Camp presented by AT&T.

TD Bank representatives will be on site at each event and, at select locations, will be giving away B's tickets to upcoming games at TD Garden. Gifford's Ice Cream will also join the team's trek around New England and will be scooping their "Power Play Fudge" ice cream flavor in exchange for one dollar donations to the Boston Bruins Foundation.

For more information and location updates on the Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour, visit BostonBruins.com/FanFestTour. Bruins fans can follow the tour on social and post using the hashtag #BruinsTour.

ABOUT THE BRUINS ACADEMY LEARN TO PLAY PROGRAM

The program debuted in 2014 with just six locations and 300 participants, and has grown each year since. To date, over 2,000 local youth have participated in the Bruins Academy Learn to Play program. This year, $2,000,000 (retail value) worth of equipment will be donated through this program.

For a registration fee of $100, participants will receive a full set of CCM hockey equipment to keep valued at $500 retail, which includes skates, a professional fitting, and four weeks of on-ice instruction led by certified coaches and NHL Alumni. The Bruins Academy Learn to Play program has helped to increase hockey participation, and over 60% of the youth hockey players who participated in the Little Bruins program last year subsequently enrolled in organized hockey.

The Bruins Academy Learn to Play program is open to children ages four to nine. Registration for the program is now open on BostonBruins.com/LearnToPlay on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please contact communityrelations@bostonbruins.com.