

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers announced today they will be hosting “Florida Panthers Learn to Play” in conjunction with the NHL, the NHLPA and USA Hockey. The program is for boys and girls ages 4-8 who have never participated in an organized ice hockey program.

Each participant in the Learn to Play program will receive six weeks on on-ice training with Florida Panthers Alumni and USA Hockey Certified Coaches. The participants will receive a full set of Panthers branded hockey equipment they will be able to keep at the completion of the program and a voucher for two free tickets to a select Panthers weekend home game as well as an opportunity to purchase additional tickets at a discounted rate. The cost of the program is $100.

The following five rinks are participating Learn to Play locations: Florida Panthers IceDen (Coral Springs), Glacier Ice & Snow Arena (Pompano Beach), Kendall Ice Arena (Miami), Palm Beach Ice Works (West Palm Beach) and Palm Beach Skate Zone (Lake Worth).

The Learn to Play program was developed in an effort to reduce cost barriers to ice hockey participation by providing equipment. The primary goal is to create the next generation of hockey players and fans who remain engaged with the game throughout their lives. All participants will automatically be registered with USA Hockey for the 2016-2017 season allowing for an easier and less expensive transition into future hockey programs.

The Florida Panthers Learn To Play curriculum is designed in conjunction with USA Hockey’s “Gold Standard” which utilizes an age appropriate Long Term Athlete Development structure known as the American Development Model. This model ensures that the program structure is both fun and effective.