Original story posted here.
The Biddeford Youth Hockey Association give kids a chance to stay active in the winter by breaking barriers and offering low-cost hockey opportunities in southern Maine.
“There’s a lot of opportunity for kids to play hockey in southern Maine. At BYHA, we believe wholeheartedly that kids on ice stay out of hot water and we’re doing all we can and we’d love to have everyone in the community support us in our mission,” said BYHA Vice President Tom Hall.
“We spend a lot of time in the wintertime and it’s cold. There’s not a lot of opportunities for kids to stay active. If we can lower the cost for it, we can give the kids an opportunity to stay active.”
The annual King of the Rink tournament is one of the ways that BYHA helps kids stay active in the winter time.
“Twelve teams are coming. There are three teams from Biddeford and teams from Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We’re hosting them (at the Biddeford Ice Arena) — it’s an honor to have them come,” said Hall.
The tournament will begin today at 5:30 p.m. and goes through Sunday afternoon.
“There’s a lot of great impact here in this environment. There’s a lot of tradition here. A lot of great players played here. The Fleurent brothers, who were both captains at UNE and (Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman) Brian Dumoulin played here. Having kids come here for three days of hockey, just to have fun probably, will be great,” said Hall.
The King of the Rink tournament is expected to draw in a big crowd.
“Overall there will be probably 600 people including players and families. It’ll be a great environment to have a good time and showcase some great hockey here in southern Maine, “said Hall.
While this weekend’s tournament may draw in 600 people, throughout the course of the winter BYHA will have impacted more than 400 skaters.
“We’ll touch over 400 kids this year — that’s through learn to skate all the way up to 17-18-year-old kids. We make an impact,” said Hall.
BYHA is able to make an impact on numerous children because they offer low-cost skating programs.
“It’s perceived as a really expensive sport and we try to break that barrier down. We offer free scholarships for kids to do learn skate, scholarships for kids to do our youth program. We have loaner gear, tons of it, skates, hockey sticks and all the pads. Kids can come here and essentially if they have need, we can provide them with free and low-cost hockey opportunities,” said Hall.
Hall believes it’s important for young people to play hockey because of the life skills that skating teaches.
“You learn the good things that hockey teaches you like hard work, if you fall down get up and keep trying. Those basic principles are things that we can all use every day,” said Hall.