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September/October 2019

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PHOTOS: ANAHEIM DUCKS S unny California may not be a hockey hotbed like some parts of the country, but that's not stopping the next generation of hockey players from lacing their skates. Thanks to the Anaheim Ducks' Little Ducks program, developed as part of the NHL's Learn to Play initiative, kids have the opportunity to learn the basics of hockey in a fun and safe environment. "It's really helped us make the sport accessible for people who really didn't have any idea how to get into it or how to get started," said Kirstie Bender, marketing associate at the Anaheim Ducks who helps coordinate and administer the program. Participants in the Little Ducks program are provided a full set of hockey equipment and six weeks of instruction. They also gain membership to the Wild Wingers Kids' Club and have the opportunity to learn from guest NHL instructors. The Ducks have been offering a similar free Learn to Play Hockey program for more than a decade. But since the start of the Little Ducks program, participation has stretched to new levels. "Through that free program, we've introduced almost 12,000 kids to the sport," Bender said. "We've seen our programs grow significantly since we started our Learn to Play program. With the launch of the Little Ducks program, that's only helped us keep people in the building and make sure they know they're on the right path, or we help give them a better idea of the path to go down." Growing the game In a unique market like California, the Ducks also offer inline hockey programs, which have been just as successful in drawing new participants to the sport. "Through the NHL's Learn to Play initiative—plus the kids that took place in the inline program—we introduced 38 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2019 USICERINKS.COM REAL PROGRAMS Learn to Play BY ELIZABETH BOGER Learning to Fly Anaheim Ducks' Little Ducks Learn to Play program is turning California into a hockey hotbed

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