The Colorado Avalanche program Game On will be in Durango on Monday, giving kids of all ages a chance to try playing hockey. The event will be held at Chapman Hill from 3-6 p.m.
Game On is a free and fully mobile street hockey initiative created to promote and grow the game of hockey throughout Colorado. At each Game On event, all participants are eligible to receive a free Avalanche branded street hockey stick and ball. Sticks will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Retired NHL player and program director Alain Lemieux will sign autographs and take photos at the event. Lemieux played for the St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques and Pittsburgh Penguins. He is also the older brother of NHL great Mario Lemieux.
“I have worked hard to get the Avalanche to bring an event like this to Durango,” said Erin Lopez of the Durango Area Youth Hockey Association. “These types of events are hosted across the Front Range on a very regular basis. I think it helped that our youth hockey program is growing and many of our teams had great success this past season. I anticipate since the Avs won the (Stanley) Cup that hockey will see an increase in participation, (and) this event is a great way for people to get a taste of the sport.”
The Avalanche won’t bring their inflatable hockey rink because of transportation issues, but they will have their big “A,” hockey sauce kits and various stations set up for the kids to try out their new stick and ball. There will also be stations set up for kids to try on goalie and player gear.
