Blackhawks launch yearlong celebration of amateur hockey on Opening Night

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they will launch a yearlong celebration of amateur hockey in Illinois by offering youth hockey players the opportunity to join the team on-ice during the opening night pregame ceremonies on Wednesday, Oct. 12, when the team hosts the St. Louis Blues at 7 p.m.

Youth hockey players in Illinois between the ages of 8 and 12 are invited to let the Blackhawks know what they have done off the ice – either in the community, at school or with family and friends – that makes them a good representative of their club and youth hockey in Illinois. Twenty players will be selected to participate in the opening night on-ice pregame ceremonies. Written submissions will be accepted from Wednesday, Aug. 31-Wednesday, Sept. 14, and can be mailed to the Chicago Blackhawks (attn: Opening Ceremony, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL, 60612). For more information and to download the printable submission form, please visit blackhawks.nhl.com/OpeningCeremony2016.

Per USA Hockey, Illinois ranked sixth in the nation with 31,558 registered hockey players during the 2015-16 season, marking a 42.0 percent increase in membership since the 2007-08 season, which is the second-largest percent increase among USA Hockey regional affiliates. Since 2007-08, Illinois saw the largest total increase in participants among USA Hockey regional affiliates with 9,334 new members. The Blackhawks currently have partnerships with over 50 hockey rinks in Illinois, including four within the city of …

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