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on the fly USA HOCKEY PEOPLE & PROGRAMS 10 10 on the fly USA HOCKEY PEOPLE & PROGRAMS PHOTOS COURTESY OF Minnesota Hockey; Total Hockey ILLUSTRATION BY Mike Curti DECEMBER. 2015 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM HOCKEYGREEN PROVIDES STICKS A SECOND LIFE Total Hockey launched its HockeyGreen initiative as a way to save composite hockey sticks from the landfill. Every year, 3.2 million composite sticks are produced worldwide. HockeyGreen's goal is to keep as many of these sticks out of these disposal areas by searching for new ways to give them an afterlife. A funny thing happened over the course of the four years the program has been in existence. The original intent of HockeyGreen has shifted from finding the best methods of recycling the carbon fiber sticks to keeping up with the grow- ing demand from secondary markets. Now, outside vendors are looking to acquire the sticks from Total Hockey to create items ranging from barbeque tools and picture frames to Adirondack chairs and coffee tables. "When we introduced the program, requests started trickling in from customers, and then grew to other entities, including manufacturers, NHL teams, as well as an airport and a hockey rink. Now the ideas are endless," said Michael Benoit, founder, president and chief executive officer of Total Hockey. In 2014, Total Hockey partnered with the NHL's Minnesota Wild and HMS Host to aid in the creation of a Wild-themed restaurant inside the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport's Terminal 2 that features a center bar and host stand made out of almost 1,400 composite hockey sticks. "It was a great way for us to contribute to this project," Benoit said. "The scale makes this really unique. Hockey players can see their recycled sticks create a purposeful and fun atmosphere for hundreds of thousands of travelers passing through each year." HockeyGreen also contributed broken sticks for a display in the main lobby of the USA Hockey Arena, located in Plymouth, Mich. Can more than one player on the same team wear a captain's "C" on their sweater? ANSWER: Yes, Rule 202(a) states that only one player may exercise the privileges of a captain during the game, such as discussing rules with the officials. However, any player may wear a "C" on their sweater (including goalkeepers). YOU MAKE THE CALL Even in the State of Hockey there are people who need a little encouragement to get in the game. That's why Minnesota Hockey has come up with a game plan to break down the barriers that keep some families off the ice. Working in partnership with Total Hockey and the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Hockey recently held the first-ever Gear Up Minnesota!, a Mite hockey jamboree at Mariucci Arena. The day featured an afternoon of half-ice games and off-ice festivities, along with free admission to the University of Minnesota vs. University of Minnesota Duluth women's game at nearby Ridder Arena. "The event was great as each team played two games, got to do some fun off-ice activities and had the opportunity to stick around and watch the Gopher women play," said Minnesota Hockey Executive Director Glen Andresen. "It was a full day of hockey." The festivities kicked off with off-ice activities in the Mariucci Arena concourse including face painting and tattoos, a photo station with Goldy Gopher, a poster-making station and interactive games. The on-ice games featured two 25-minute half-ice games. Games were played in a 4-on-4 format with goalies. Among the squads participating in the jamboree were 8 & Under Boys and Girls teams from City of Lakes, Delano, Farmington, Northfield and Worthington. The Gear Up Minnesota! grant program is entering its sixth season and has already provided 111 associations with sets of starter hockey equipment, with a total worth of more than $450,000. Each starter set includes nearly everything a player needs to start playing hockey including a hockey bag, helmet, breezers, gloves and elbow and shin pads. This year they are also offering starter sets of goalie equipment for aspiring puck stoppers. Program Helps Minnesota Players Gear Up