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06 STOPs STARTS & USA HOCKEY NEWS & UPDATES PHOTOS COURTESY OF USA Hockey Magazine archives; Labatt USA; Getty Images DECEMBER. 2015 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM LABATT BLUE ASSISTS SLED HOCKEY THROUGH 'PASS IT FORWARD' PROGRAM Labatt USA is raising a glass to the belief that hockey is for everybody by raising awareness and funding to expand sled hockey programs through its "Pass It Forward" initiative. A long-time sponsor of USA Hockey's adult program, Labatt Blue is expanding its support of disabled athletes by providing 10 sled hockey programs with a share of $250,000 to expand the sport's growth in the United States. "We are excited that these funds provided by the Labatt's "Pay It Forward" initiative will help accelerate the growth of sled hockey in these markets," said JJ O'Connor, chair of the USA Disabled Hockey Section. "The funds will help purchase sleds, equipment, ice time, uniforms, etc., all of which are expensive for new start-up sled programs." In total 10 programs were selected, and each will receive a $25,000 grant to grow and expand the sport in their respective community. The recipients were WASA Lightning Sled Hockey Team (Milwaukee, Wis.), Palm Beach Tiger Sharks Sled Hockey (Lake Worth, Fla.), Boston Shamrocks Sled Hockey (Wilmington, Mass.), Rochester Sled Hockey (Rochester, Minn.), Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association (Knoxville, Tenn.), Rochester Sled Hockey Organization (Rochester, N.Y.), Eagle Mount-Great Falls (Great Falls, Mont.), Hero Sports (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Winterhawks Sled Hockey (Portland, Ore.) and Disabled Athlete Sports Association (St. Louis, Mo.). To further its commitment to the sport, Labatt created special cans of Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light featuring Sled Hockey players, which will help con- sumers get behind the cause, too. Our Social Side In addition to the print edition, USA Hockey Magazine covers all your hockey needs with these great digital extras. , Follow our monthly USHL Power Rankings, presented by USA Hockey Magazine at Facebook.com/ usahockeymagazine , Check out additonal photos from the inaugural Kraft Hockeyville in Johnstown, Pa. @usahmagazine , Need a little motivation to get through the season. Check out our collection of notable, quotable hockey phrases at pinterest.com/ usahockeymag , Dr. Michael Stuart, the chief medical officer for USA Hockey, talks about new efforts to make our game safer in our latest Podcast. Search iTunes under USA Hockey Magazine. , Don't miss our digital issues for bonus content usahockeymagazine.com BO NOVEMBER 2015 � $3.95 PUCKS& PATRIOTS ISSUE KNOWS INJURED NAVY SEAL FACES NEW CHALLENGES HEAD ON WITH U.S. SLED TEAM BO REICHENBACH AND SON LANDON PAGE 14 EXPERIENCE BEST TEACHER FOR OLYMPIAN TURNED COACH SET SAIL COAST GUARD ACADEMY HOCKEY A STITCH BACK IN TIME ST. PAUL BUSINESS GIVING OLD GEAR NEW LIFE Nashville Brings All-Star Festivities Outdoors The Nashville Predators are turning the grounds around the Bridgestone Arena into a winter wonderland in preparation for the upcoming NHL All- Star Weekend. An ice rink, scheduled to open Dec. 12, will be the focal point of the park's transformation leading up to the Jan. 29-31 NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville. The rink will have open skating hours as well as host an adult and ADM clinic featuring USA Hockey coaches. With tickets to the All-Star Game and Skills Competition in high demand, the NHL will host its annual Fan Fair at Music City Center to allow more fans to get in on the fun. There will be also concerts featuring some of Nashville's musical artists inside Music City Center as well as on an outdoor stage to be built on Demonbreun Street. "It's important to us to make this more than just hockey," said Predators CEO Jeff Cogen. "We want to take the best of Nashville and celebrate it."