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NGB News USA Hockey & U.S. Figure Skating , The hockey world celebrated the 14th annual Hockey Week Across America coast to coast last week (Feb. 15-21), highlighted by 4,000 new children trying the sport on Saturday (Feb. 20) for the very first time as part of Try Hockey for Free Day, presented by SportsEngine. Thanks to USA Hockey volunteers across the country and countless others, new families were introduced to the sport at more than 170 rinks in 37 states. "Hockey Week Across America is always one of the highlights of the sea- son, and while this year was a little dif- ferent, the passion and excitement gen- erated by our great sport was certainly evident across the country," said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. Each day of Hockey Week Across America had a unique theme, with "Salute" days to players, coaches, offi- cials and local rinks in place for the first four days. Saturday's Try Hockey Day was high- lighted by USA Hockey's national Try Hockey for Free Day and equipment was provided for children to use free of charge including skates, pads, helmets and sticks at host sites. Thousands of USA Hockey-certified coaches and vol- unteers provided instruction and engage- ment to children stepping onto the ice for the first time. Sunday finished Hockey Week Across America with a theme of Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes, with a focus to honor those in communities across the country that dedicate their time to helping hockey flourish at the grassroots level. 22 / MARCH.APRIL.2021 USICERINKS.COM , In navigating the sport through COVID- 19, figure skating clubs can test more frequently and efficiently using U.S. Figure Skating's new Virtual Judging of Tests. "Obviously the pandemic played a huge part in the development of this option," Lori Osborne, chair of U.S. Figure Skating's Test Committee, said. "But even before that, the questions about how to secure enough judges, less costly alternatives and access were always coming through. For a while now we've been asking ourselves how we can make this process easier, or at least create more opportunity to get these tests through." To test virtually, a club's test chair has two options: Run tests just like a regular in-person test session—schedule the day out, communicate each skater's individual test time, etc.—only substitute a panel of officials with a videographer like the proctor or test chair, if they meet the requirements. Fewer people present, more likely to be COVID compliant, and less costly for clubs regardless of circumstance. Or the whole session can be set up online and virtual submissions can be uploaded in a similar fashion to the 2021 U.S. Championship Series presented by Toyota. Currently held on an interim basis through June 30, virtual judging of tests is an option (but not required) for moves in the field, free skate, pairs, pattern dance and free dance tests through a five-step process: Setup, recruit, judge, review, notify. The test chair must determine the submission deadline, video storage location and prepare the paperwork, then recruit judges who are able to evaluate skaters virtually. Each judge is emailed PDF scoring papers that are returned following the review of submissions. Once the results are verified, the goal is a five-day window for results to be communicated to the skaters and coaches. While born out of necessity in uncertain times, the virtual system overwhelmingly received positive feedback in its first few months—a wave of momentum Osborne hopes will lead to greater access and opportunity, even when COVID times are behind us. J NGB News USA Hockey & U.S. Figure Skating Going Virtual Hockey Week Across America Celebrated Nationwide U.S. Figure Skating using more Virtual Judging of Tests More than 4,000 kids skate in Try Hockey for Free, presented by SportsEngine