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M H J O N L I N E . C O M | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 10 HOME ICE: All Seasons Arena DISTRICT: Mavericks NICKNAME: PRESIDENT: Rob Rader 434 9 2017-18 REGISTRATION NUMBERS: of STATE HOCKEY Mankato Mankato's pre- season try hockey for free event has been met with overwhelming success. State of Hockey Spotlight by Elizabeth Boger WHY THEY'RE AWESOME When the Mankato Area Hockey Association hosts its own try hockey for free event to kick off the 2018-19 season, it was as popular with high school and col- lege-aged students as it was for young participants. Eager to lend a helping hand, hockey players from Mankato East High School, Mankato West High School and Minnesota State University spent time wel- coming newcomers to the sport, helping them learn the basics of skating while inspiring them to dream big. Mankato Area Hockey Association president, Rob Rader, has seen firsthand just how much of an impact that support has on a new generation of hockey players. "We have a boys' day and a girls' day, and we have a lot of association coaches out there helping them get going," Rader said. "For the girls, they see one of the older girls—or for the boys, they see one of the older boys in their high school uniform—and they want to go hang with that kid. They'll say to them, 'How do you do this? How do you do that?' "Coaches are kind of secondary at that point," Rader said with a laugh. LENDING A HAND The Mankato Area Hockey Association opts to host its annual try hockey for free event at the beginning of the season, with hopes of acclimating kids to the basics before the season is in full swing. Photos / Mankato Area Hockey Association