Children were running around with hockey sticks and a couple of makeshift nets. The Vegas Golden Knights’ practice facility was hosting a free hockey clinic. They provide pizza and music for the kids.
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A week later, a similar scene unfolded near the Florida Panthers’ arena during the Stanley Cup Final games. Young fans engaged in play inside an inflatable rink nestled beneath the shade of palm trees.
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The championship showdown between Vegas and Florida highlighted the advantages of ball and roller hockey in various U.S. markets. The presence of professional teams or the scarcity of ice was not a significant factor.
Earlier this year, the NHL launched a street hockey program to break down barriers to the sport. The goal was to generate interest in the game, even at more casual levels.
Andrew Ference, a former player spearheading the NHL Street program, acknowledged the growing influence of NHL teams in the southern states.
He emphasized the positive impact by highlighting the increasing number of players drafted from places like California, Texas, and Florida. However, he also recognized the countless kids and families who could not overcome the barriers associated with hockey in those regions.
Barriers can vary from the cost and time commitments involved to the competitive nature of youth sports and misconceptions about not belonging in hockey. To address these challenges, stakeholders in the sport are exploring different avenues. Street hockey being the latest endeavor.
Ference, who grew up in Edmonton and had access to outdoor ice for half the year, acknowledged that many future professional players likely spent more time playing street hockey in driveways and cul-de-sacs during their formative years.
Retired goaltender Andrew Raycroft, who joined Ference at an NHL Street event in Boston, shared his experience. He emphasized the simplicity of getting into the game through ball hockey. He acknowledged the difficulties associated with skates, sticks, and ice time costs, particularly for those living in cities.
Nevertheless, he stressed that love for the game and the ability to play it can still thrive.
Commissioner Gary Bettman also highlighted the importance of having more children involved in hockey in any form, as it contributes to the overall growth of the sport. He shared personal anecdotes about his grandsons’ involvement in hockey. He acknowledged that getting access to ice for skating can be challenging in certain areas.
According to Arena Guide, a platform that tracks rinks across North America, states like Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arizona, and Oklahoma have a combined total of only 41 rinks. Most of these are larger arenas that must be more suitable for youth hockey.
In contrast, the growth of hockey in North Carolina, fueled by the presence of the Hurricanes since 1997, has resulted in more players than the combined total of those six states.
Fortunately, more ice rinks are being constructed in other NHL markets, such as Dallas, Las Vegas, and Tampa, indicating positive signs for the future. Bettman also mentioned the enduring popularity of ball hockey throughout North America.
Ference clarified that the intention behind the NHL Street program is not to replicate ice hockey on the streets but rather to add structure to the tradition of pickup games.
Instead of imposing a predefined culture, they aim to allow the participating children to shape the program according to their preferences. This includes incorporating their moves during breakaways and choosing the music for the playlist.
The overarching goal is to make hockey fun. The NHL drew inspiration from various sources, including AND1 basketball, snowboarding, and video games.
Basketball and winter sports have evolved by incorporating youth interest, culture, and creativity from these sources.
Video games, in particular, allow kids to try something without extensive practice, make mistakes, and interact with friends.
The aim is to create an enjoyable environment akin to flag football, where the pressure is reduced while opening new avenues to explore hockey.
Ference hopes this approach will attract crossover athletes who find the concept remarkable and are willing to try something new. While not all of them will become diehard fans, many casual fans will be introduced to a sport they might not have considered.
You’ll check back here regularly to stay updated on the news.
