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44 /JULY.AUGUST.2017 USICERINKS.COM NGB News USA Hockey & U.S. Figure Skating , Learn to Skate USA powered by Toyota was launched June 1, 2016, with the goal of instilling a lifelong love of skating in its participants. Since then, thousands of skaters of all ages and abilities have come to the ice. On June 1, 2017, Learn to Skate USA marked its first birthday. Here's why we're celebrating: On March 14, Learn to Skate USA got an early birthday present, announcing a multiyear partnership with Toyota. The program joined U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating on team Toyota as they move toward the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Between June 1 and April 30, Learn to Skate USA welcomed more than 119,000 members across more than 1,000 skating programs in 49 states nationwide. While existing Basic Skills programs converted to Learn to Skate USA, more than 100 new skating programs were started as a direct result of the program's rebrand and resources, successfully bringing the benefits of skating to new communities. With its inaugural year successfully in the books, Learn to Skate USA proudly looks forward to the continued development of grassroots skating. Members of the only skating program endorsed by U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating, with support from Special Olympics, the Professional Skaters Association and the U.S. Ice Rink Association, are part of the best beginning skating program in the country. Want to celebrate with us? Share your photos, videos and birthday wishes with #LearnToSkateUSA for a chance to be featured on Learn to Skate USA social media or in Learn to Skate USA The Magazine. Want to take your first steps on the ice? Get started at LearnToSkateUSA.com. J Mark Your Calendars: 2017-18 Try Hockey For Free Days Learn to Skate USA Turns 1! , USA Hockey announced the opening of host-site registration for its 2017-18 Try Hockey For Free Days. The season's first nationwide Try Hockey For Free Day will be Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, as part of Come Play Hockey Month. The second opportunity will occur Saturday, March 3, 2018, the weekend following the XXIII Olympic Winter Games closing ceremony. Local youth hockey associations and rinks can register to host on either of those dates. USA Hockey provides official host sites with on- and off-ice training, jerseys and promotional resources. USA Hockey's Try Hockey For Free program, with support from the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations nationwide with a platform to introduce children to the sport. More than 143,000 children have participated in USA Hockey's national Try Hockey For Free Days since the program's inception in February 2010. Pure Hockey and Liberty Mutual Insurance are official sponsors of Try Hockey For Free Days. Associations and rinks interested in hosting one of the designated Try Hockey For Free Days can click here to learn more and register. For more information, contact Jayson Hron at JaysonH@USAHockey.org / 719.538.1159.