Las Vegas Valley kids skate into hockey at free event

About 60 kids wobbled onto the ice and into an introduction to hockey Saturday the Golden Knights and USA Hockey’s second event to try the sport for free in Las Vegas.

The Try Hockey For Free Day, held at the Las Vegas Ice Center, 9295 W. Flamingo Road, gave kids ages 4 to 9 a chance to lace up their skates, get on the ice and fire shots.

The day was planned by the ice center, which donated ice time, lent gear to kids and staffed the event.

Youngsters skating for the first time scooted along while gripping a hurdle to keep them upright. If one took a tumble and couldn’t get up, an instructor was there to get the child upright.

The first free day was held in February and was so well-attended, organizers had to turn people away, Golden Knights team officials said.

“It’s a chance for the kids to get out, learn the game, fall down, get back up, tell mom and dad they had a good time and hopefully continue to play,” Keith Veronesi, hockey operations assistant for the Golden Knights, told reporters.

Events such as Try Hockey For Free Day are vital to building a fan base in the desert, he said.

“These kids obviously are learning at a young age, and our goal and what we hope is that 10, 15 years from now, these are our big-time fans,” Veronesi said.

Murray Craven, senior vice president of hockey operations for the Golden Knights, said the aim is to give kids an opportunity to get involved in an organized environment at no cost.

“It’s for exposure, plain and simple,” Craven said.

Suzy and Matt Au made time during a busy weekend to let their 7-year-old son, Ethan, give hockey a shot for the first time.

“It’s amazing. It’s absolutely amazing,” Suzy Au said. “He’s having so much fun. He’s got such a huge smile.”

Ethan said his favorite part was shooting the puck and playing goalie.

Au said she would probably sign him up for a youth league in the future. If she does, Ethan said he wants to be a netminder.

“They get lots of more cooler gear,” Ethan said.

Travis and Andrea Carnine brought their 5-year-old son, Sylis, to try the sport.

Travis Carnine said the free event was a perfect excuse to give Sylis time on the ice to see if he likes the sport.

“I just wish there was more ice rinks over town,” Carnine said.

The Golden Knights’ plan to have two new sheets of ice open in their practice facility that is under construction and scheduled to open by late summer. The addition will give Las Vegas a total of five rinks.

“Once we have our practice facility up and running, there will be even more opportunity for youth to participate,” Craven said.

The center holds several youth hockey events throughout the year. Events will be posted on the rink’s website.

Contact Blake Apgar at bapgar@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5298. Follow @blakeapgar on Twitter.