Senators push to keep children in hockey programs
The Ottawa Senators are extending their efforts to keep younger children from skating away from hockey before giving the game a chance.
The Senators announced Wednesday they are working closely with Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Outaouais on a variety of minor hockey initiatives to help spur interest.
“It’s important for us to continue to grow the game in this region,” said Senators president Cyril Leeder. “It’s an opportunity for us to invest back in grassroots hockey and get children to try hockey and hopefully take it on as a lifelong pursuit.”
The Ottawa- Gatineau region is similar to most areas of the country in that boys’ hockey enrolment numbers have become stagnant.
Accordingly, the Senators are offering up a variety of ways to perk up rink interest. A 10-week Learn To Play Hockey program at Richcraft Sensplex, featuring 90 minutes of weekly teaching and skill development for $99.An expansion of the Sens Street Senturion program, where 35 community centres will be provided with free street hockey equipment and free ball hockey. The program is supported by the NHL and the NHL players’ association as part of the Industry Growth Fund, set up in the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Eight minor hockey associations in the Outaouais will be outfitted with Senators jerseys. Five- and six-year-olds will be given the chance to have a fun day at Canadian Tire Centre. A Try Hockey For Free program, allowing children to borrow equipment and to learn from instructors at no cost. The club also continues to run I Love to Skate, I Love to Play Hockey, Equipment for Kids and Sens Rink initiatives. Ultimately, the Senators aim to build 20 community rinks.
“It’s really important for us to invest back in youth, and when we’re able to make them active, and active in hockey, it’s a win, win, win,” said Leeder.
Though the initiatives are planned for both sides of the Ottawa River, much of the focus is on Western Quebec.
“It’s Ottawa- Gatineau,” Leeder said.
“That’s really where our franchise was awarded to, to that core market. Our fans are in Ottawa and there are fans in Gatineau. There are francophone fans in Ottawa. There are anglo fans in Gatineau. There’s a combination of language issues and provincial issues that we have to manage through, but we certainly view Gatineau as part of our fan base.”