USA Hockey provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America, helping young people become leaders—even Olympic heroes—while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. USA Hockey’s primary emphasis is on the support and development of grassroots hockey programs that provide opportunities for players of all ability levels. The organization also supports a growing disabled hockey program. Finally, USA Hockey has certification programs for coaches and officials, inclusive of industry-leading online education modules, to ensure standards are met that coincide with the level of play.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) encourages its members to promote the game of ice hockey to women and girls. In the past two decades, more and more female players have joined the game and the numbers are still going up substantially. There are women’s hockey teams in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and Latin America. IIHF World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend is a global opportunity for girls to try out hockey as a new sport. Thousands of participants take party every year.
Is hockey safe for children?
USA Hockey launched its cutting-edge American Development Model in January 2009 to provide hockey associations nationwide with a blueprint for age-appropriate athlete development. As part of the American Development Model, USA Hockey recommends younger players limit their ice time while maximizing fun and developing their overall athletic skills. Always a leader in safety, USA Hockey furthered the enhancement of those efforts by advancing the USA Hockey SafeSport Program in June 2012.
Parents will want to know that hockey players wear more protective equipment than any other sport. A study has shown that ice hockey injuries ranked after both basketball and soccer in emergency room visits related to sport and recreational activities. Also, youth hockey is a different game than the NHL. With a different set of rules in place, youth hockey places a stronger emphasis on sportsmanship and friendly competition. Contact is not allowed prior to the 14U level (age 13 & 14).
Want a glimpse of how much fun it is? Read an article about kids hockey in the Renton Patch and see Try Hockey Free kids in action.
Listed below are the organizations in Washington State offering Try Hockey Free events.
Try Hockey Free Events
The following skating rinks and local organizations may participate in Try Hockey Free events at various times of the year. Check their website for upcoming events, or scroll down for our calendar of snow and ice sporting events, including Try Hockey Free days.
Skating rinks participating in Try Hockey Free Events
Bremerton Ice Center, 1950 Homer Jones Dr, Bremerton, WA 98310. More info: Home – Bremerton Ice Center
Everett. Angel of the Winds Ice Rink, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201. More info: Ice Rink | Angel of the Winds Arena
Kirkland Sno-King Ice Arena, 14326 124th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034. More info: Sno-King Ice Arenas (snokinghockey.com)
Mountlake Terrace. Olympicview Arena, 22202 70th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. More info: https://www.olympicviewarena.com/
Renton Sno-King Ice Arena, 12620 164th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98059. More info: Sno-King Ice Arenas (snokinghockey.com)
Seattle. Kraken Community Iceplex, 10601 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125. More info: Try Hockey for Free – Kraken Community Iceplex
Shoreline. Highland Ice Arena, 18005 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline. More info: Highland Ice Arena – Shoreline, WA
Snoqualmie Sno-King Ice Arena, 35323 SE Douglas St, Snoqualmie, WA – 98065. More info: Sno-King Ice Arenas (snokinghockey.com)
Tacoma Twin Rinks, 2645 S 80th St, Tacoma, WA 98409. More info: Tacoma Twin Rinks
Local and national organizations participating in Try Hockey Free Events
Scroll down for our calendar of snow and ice sporting events, including Try Hockey Free days.
Sno-King Hockey offers several programs to learn the basic fundamentals of skating and playing hockey. If your child wants to try playing hockey, Try Hockey Free clinics for youth players are offered. In addition, the Learn to Skate program is taught by experienced figure skating instructors. More info: Programs (snokinghockey.com)
Western Washington Female Hockey Association (WWFHA) aka “Washington Wild” is a non-profit, volunteer-run association dedicated to promoting girls’ ice hockey and developing female players in the US Pacific Northwest. WWFHA offers the only all-girl Try Hockey Free sessions in Washington State, designed by USA Hockey to give females the opportunity to try the sport. More info: Try Hockey Free (wwfha.com)
USA Hockey Try Hockey Free events provide kids ages of 4 to 9 a completely free experience to try youth hockey. A limited amount of equipment is available to borrow. Coaches will be on the ice to assist your child in learning the basics. Your son or daughter does not need any previous skating or hockey experience. Try Hockey Free events are typically held at the following ice rinks:
Upcoming events on our calendar
The calendar below includes free and affordable events of all kinds in the next 30 days.
