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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 13 Each Friday morning, the association hosts Friday Doughnut Hockey. This hap- pens at the St. Louis Park Rec center every Friday morning during the season with the association's Mites and Squirts. Their time on the ice usually includes free skate along with some three-on-three scrimmages and is wrapped up before they have to head off to school. This effort began about five years ago with help from the association's board, including the association's marketing coordinator, Sage Rider. The effort has grown and added a second opportunity through its commitment to excel- lence program which takes place on Saturdays. "We just wanted to get kids more ice time," Rider said. "Now we've ironed out some of the details. It's been fun to get these kids out on the ice and have that moment, especially as they head off to school with rosy cheeks." Another way St. Louis Park has gotten more kids onto the ice is through a third sheet of ice. This rink, in its second season of use, is actually outdoors. This facility, affectionately called the ROC, has been an idea years in the making in St. Louis Park. The rink can be used from October to April and has gotten rave reviews thus far. "It's like a cathedral for hockey," Rider said. "Everyone that comes in there is amazed by what we've been able to do." STRONG SUPPORT When Hogan and Rider were asked about what makes this association unique, their answer came down to the cost. "We've been lucky enough to be able to keep our costs down," Hogan said. "Our youth association is lucky to have a place like Bunny's be a major contributor to our youth hockey program." Bunny's, a long-running bar and restau- rant, has helped out its local hockey associ- ation through pull-tabs. They have a booth inside the establishment that coordinates the effort. This partnership has been key to keeping the sport affordable. "It's a very successful partnership," Rider said. "It allows us to keep our costs low and be as open to as many kids as possible." Inside the association, there has been strong work done by its hockey development committee. This group has organized skills nights. These events bring in outside coaches to work on various skills.Rider said they have seen a lot of progression in skill come thanks to these nights. St. Louis Park High School players have also made a concerted effort to support their younger counterparts. Players have made themselves available at different events and helped out at various practices. The youth players have reciprocated by attending the high school games. "We want to bridge that gap between the high school and youth association," Hogan said. "These younger kids look up to the varsity players and are just in awe of them." This season, there have already been a few results that have been celebration-worthy for this association. They have already racked up four tournament wins. And despite some of the challenges inside this association, Rider and others have plenty of strong things to say about representing St. Louis Park. " We're like the little association that could," Rider said. " We're going up against a lot of associations that have bigger num- bers. We enjoy being those scrappy under- dogs." "We just wanted to get kids more ice time… It's been fun to get these kids out on the ice and have that moment, especially as they head off to school with rosy cheeks." –Sage Rider