LA Kings Partner with YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to Bring Ball Hockey to the LA Area
AEG’s Los Angeles Kings and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles have partnered together to help introduce kids to the fundamentals of youth hockey through clinics and league play.
Beginning next month, the LA Kings Ball Hockey League will start with ball hockey being offered in a special eight-week session at 10 area YMCA branches. Practices will be held once a week with one game each Saturday and kids will be assigned to teams by age and skill level. In addition, each participant will receive an LA Kings Ball Hockey uniform, hockey stick, ball and rule book courtesy of the Kings and Delta Air Lines. The program is also supported by Blue Shield of California.
“This is a fun and engaging experience for kids to learn lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play while applying hockey skills that strengthen their coordination and confidence,” said Kings Chief Operating Officer Kelly Cheeseman. “The LA Kings Ball Hockey League also aligns well with our other hockey development initiatives – Lil Kings Learn To Play Hockey, In House/Travel Hockey and the LA Kings High School Hockey League – but having fun is always the number one goal and we will work very closely with YMCA Los Angeles to ensure that.”
Visit LAKings.com/ballhockey for more information and to sign up to play. The cost is $50 for YMCA members and $100 for non-members.
The following YMCA branches will offer LA Kings Ball Hockey with additional locations being added this fall:
- Anderson Munger Family YMCA
- East Valley Family YMCA
- Crenshaw Family YMCA
- Hollywood YMCA
- North Valley Family YMCA
- San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA
- Santa Anita Family YMCA
- South Pasadena San Marino YMCA
- Torrance-South Bay YMCA
- West Valley Family YMCA
As announced during the club’s recent 50th Anniversary celebration, the Ball Hockey program is being funded by a $1 million commitment to the YMCA from the Kings Care Foundation. As part of the donation, the team, with the support of Delta Air Lines, will distribute 5,000 hockey sticks into the hands of local youth.