NEW YORK RANGERS JOIN WITH RENSSELAER COUNTY AND CITY OF TROY FOR YOUTH HOCKEY TRAINING PROGRAM AT KNICKERBACKER ICE ARENA, RENSSELAER COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN AND TROY MAYOR CARMELLA MANTELLO ANNOUNCE
RANGERS’ JR. RANGER PROGRAM TO BE HELD DURING 10-WEEK SESSION COORDINATED BY TROY ALBANY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Kids will be able to learn hockey skills in Troy with the help of an NHL team thanks to a partnership between the New York Rangers, Rensselaer County and the City of Troy, County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Mayor Carmella Mantello announced.
Former Rangers left-wing Brian Mullen, who played in the NHL from 1982 through 1993, was on hand for the announcement with County Executive McLaughlin, Mayor Mantello and other elected officials and community leaders at the Knickerbacker Ice Arena on Tuesday.
The instructions involving the Rangers partnership will be given at the Knickerbacker Ice Arena with the Troy Albany Hockey Association coordinating the day-to-day program. The Rangers’ Jr. Rangers youth hockey program will provide the framework for skills training, with TAHA providing the coaching and ice time.
“We want to see more kids skating and more kids playing hockey in Rensselaer County. This is an innovative way to attract kids and give them valuable skills training with the help of an Original Six franchise, the New York Rangers and their Jr. Rangers program,” said County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
“This partnership with the New York Rangers is a game-changer for our community,” said Mayor Carmella Mantello. “The Knick’s revival has brought incredible energy back to Lansingburgh, and now, with the Rangers’ world-class youth hockey instruction, we’re giving our kids new opportunities to learn, grow and dream big right here in Troy.”
The ten-week program will be open to kids 10 and under, with attendance capped at 65. In addition to the one hour and twenty minutes weekly of skills training, the program includes a complete hockey equipment package for players.
Sessions will be held on Saturdays and coordinated by TAHA and coaches and players with TAHA. The Jr. Rangers will provide instructional materials and guidance, along with opportunities for advancement within Jr. Rangers youth teams.
There will be ten scholarships for Rensselaer County and City of Troy coordinated through the county Department for Youth.
“We look forward to possibly some future Blueshirts, or maybe Bruins, Penguins or other teams taking to the ice early in their hockey journey. This is why we teamed up to reopen the Knick to give kids a chance to get on the ice,” said McLaughlin.
The Knickerbacker Ice Arena was reopened in January of this year thanks to a partnership between Rensselaer County and the City of Troy. The rink had been closed for nearly a decade prior to the reopening.
“This is an exciting program and TAHA is looking forward to coordinating and leading. The reopening of the Knickerbacker Ice Arena has been a tremendous asset for youth hockey efforts and this partnership with the Jr. Rangers strengthens those efforts,” said TAHA President Steve Kraz.