Event Information: "Hockey Weekend Across America's" objective is to celebrate hockey and all those involved in the game at all levels and also expose the game to additional audiences to attract more players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans to the sport.
Beginning on Friday, January 29, Tommy Hawk, the Blackhawks' mascot, will be visit May-Watts Elementary School (800 S. Whispering Hills Drive in Naperville) at 10:30 A.M., to hand out free skate passes to local rinks in support of "Wear Your Jersey to School or Work Day." On Saturday, January 30, the Blackhawks have teamed up with several local rink partners to promote "Give Hockey a Try Day." The following rinks will hold free skating and hockey sessions from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.: International Ice Center (1581 W. Normantown Road in Romeoville), Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion (1500 Abbott Court in Buffalo Grove), Leafs Ice Centre (801 Wesemann, Dr. in West Dundee), Fox Valley Ice Arena (1996 S. Kirk Rd in Geneva) and West Meadows Ice Arena (3939 Winnetka Ave in Rolling Meadows).
Byfuglien will visit the "Hockey is for Everyone" clinic at Homewood-Flossmoor Ice Arena on Sunday, January 31 from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M., to skate with approximately 50 hockey players (ages four to 14) from social and economically diverse backgrounds. During the 2009-10 season, the "Hockey is for Everyone" program meets every week at three facilities (Homewood-Flossmoor, Fox Valley Ice Arena and Riis Park), supporting approximately 200 athletes.
The program is supported by local equipment donations of "gently used" equipment, volunteer coaching and staff, National Hockey League grants through the "Hockey is for Everyone initiative," USA Hockey and AHAI and donations from Blackhawk Charities and other private sources.
For complete information on Hockey Weekend Across America, visit www.chicagoblackhawks.com or www.hockeyweekendacrossamerica.com. GRAPHIC: link to chicagoblackhawks.com