Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/726594
40 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MINNESOTA WILD Growth Fund, implementing the Future Goals program in their market and applying for an additional grant to fund other community initiatives. "The biggest thing we have to do is raise awareness," Feaster said. "The game of hockey is not something that is part of the DNA—as I like to say—here. Football for kids born in the south, it's stamped in their DNA. Our whole thing is awareness. "This program, we think it's huge—to get kids at a young age and introduce them to the American Development Model from USA Hockey, to utilize our alumni as on-ice instructors. The goal is to get them into the next program and keep them engaged." While Tampa Bay wants to grow the game and get kids on the ice—and help keep them there—they also want to grow fans. "First we'd like to create fans for the Lightning, but we'd like to create fans for the game in general," Feaster said. In the Stars' first year they have 13 partner rinks sprinkled throughout the south—including rinks in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and, hopefully, New Mexico. The Stars' program will consist of six, one-hour sessions in the fall for $85. Forest Mudgett, youth hockey program coordinator for the Dallas Stars, noted that a lot of excitement is buzzing around the program, mainly with the rink coordinators and the chance to use the Dallas Stars name to get kids on the ice. "I'm pretty excited myself, I don't know about everyone else," Mudgett said with a laugh. "It's such a great sport and it needs to be known. A lot of people don't have awareness that the sport is around or that they can participate and learn to play. Just having the ability to reach out to a non- traditional market will be awesome." For all those involved, the excitement is clear. With a history of success established by programs like Little Penguins and Lil' Kings, the potential for all teams to impact their local communities is generating a lot of hope for the game in the long run. "If we grow hockey at the more grassroots level—to make it more relevant, popular and available for more kids to play, the game will become a lot more popular long term," Daly said. "It'll be great for our business." J RIGHT NOW IN THE UNITED STATES YOUTH HOCKEY IS GROWING. THE STIGMAS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IT'S TOO MUCH OF A COMMITMENT AND TOO EXPENSIVE. WITH HELP FROM THE NHLPA AND NHL, WE'RE BREAKING DOWN THOSE BARRIERS. REAL PROGRAMS