RED, WHITE & BLUE HOCKEY
Introducing USA Hockey’s Red, White & Blue Hockey initiative:
Why cross-ice hockey works for 8-and-under programs.
Interested in more information? Click here to download our Red, White and Blue Hockey brochure.
Leading studies show that when kids love hockey, they love hockey.
With USA Hockey’s Red, White and Blue Hockey program – which promotes the integration of cross-ice practices and games into youth hockey – we can raise the level of creativity among players, increase player participation, and create a positive environment for kids to play, love and excel.
There are four main tenets to Red, White and Blue Hockey.
More Puck Time
Smaller spaces mean more opportunity for a player to touch the puck – and ultimately improve their game.
Age-appropriate training
By shrinking the ice down to their level, kids can get more involved and learn skills quicker and easier.
Cost savings
Because multiple teams share the ice, parents save on ice time costs.
Increased competition
A smaller ice surface makes players of all skill levels think and act quicker, resulting in more frequent battles for the puck.
"We play small-area games during our practices and it helps us become better players. It’s great to see cross-ice hockey as the standard for young players. There’s no need to play full-ice at the youngest ages. In cross-ice you really get a chance to improve your puckhandling, among other skills."
Zach Parise
New Jersey Devils, 2010 U.S. Olympian
