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STARRINKS.COM SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2016 / 39 program, 52 percent became USA Hockey members this past season, with some sites specifically converting 70 to 80 percent of participants. The 2016 Lil' Kings program was sold out by mid-summer. As one of the most successful programs, Erlenbach noted that they are adopting many of the Lil' Kings' best practices and applying them to the new NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play initiatives. As a non-traditional hockey market, the Kings are demonstrating that hockey is a sport for everyone from any part of the country—not just for places with frozen winter ponds. Tampa Bay and Dallas are hoping they can see similar results in the near future. Both teams are launching their Learn to Play programs this year—the Lightning Made Learn to Play and Dallas Stars Learn to Play programs, respectively. The Lightning Made Learn to Play program will take place at three local Tampa Bay rinks. For $80, kids will get to experience hockey over an eight-week program starting in late September. Jay Feaster, executive director of community hockey development for the Tampa Bay Lightning, noted that they've been hosting similar programs for years, but this is first year the Learn to Play program and its parameters are set by the NHL and NHLPA. Feaster also noted that the Lightning are taking full advantage of the Industry The programs cater to kids ages 4 to 8 and span six to eight weeks of training sessions. Youth who participate in the program will be geared up with a full set of equipment for less than $100. NHL staff alumni and local coaches will help run the program, which follows USA Hockey's American Development Model of training. Of the American markets, the Learn to Play program will be the first such initiative for nine NHL teams. The Learn to Play programs are funded by the Industry Growth Fund, which was established by the NHL and NHLPA in the 2012-13 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Every season, all 30 clubs are required to put aside money to the fund for hockey development initiatives, up to $20 million as a whole per year. The Learn to Play program is the second initiative to grow out of the fund, according to Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner, followed by the Future Goals program (see sidebar). Teams can also apply for a grant to help fund unique community programs. The point of the fund is simple: grow the game at a community level. "It's called the 'Industry Growth Fund' because the money we spend on anything will ultimately lead to the growth in the industry and from the Players Associations' perspective, a growth in revenue," Daly said. Prior to making Learn to Play league-wide, eight teams ran established programs—most notably the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings. The Penguins were the first to create the whole program, according to Erlenbach. Since they first started the Little Penguins program nine seasons ago, 8U participation at the Pittsburgh USA Hockey affiliate has increased by about 45 percent. Los Angeles first introduced the Lil' Kings program four years ago, with 400 kids participating. In the 2015 installment, more than 1,000 kids participated. According to Erlenbach, of the youth players who participated in the Kings 2014 NHL's Future Goals Program Aimed to Inspire Students The Future Goals Program is designed to inspire students to learn about key science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Using the fast-paced, exciting game of hockey as a learning vehicle, the program helps students understand the real world applications of science and math principles they're learning in the classroom. Students will learn the basics about how technology works and, through an immersive virtual learning environment, they'll tackle issues including privacy, security, cyber bullying, digital relationships and the viral nature of the web. They'll also learn how STEM-related skills are important in preparing them for the future careers that are driving our economies. Together with schools across North America, the program is working to make sure that students are college ready, career ready, and life ready. Visit futuregoals.nhl.com for more information. Information and text provided by the NHL. PANTONE 2995 C L E A R N TO P L AY B LU E PANTONE YELLOW C L E A R N TO P L AY Y E L LOW WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEXT GENERATION KEEPS GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER.