Celebrating Hockey in America

This upcoming weekend will be as the picture shows Hockey Weekend Across America, a celebration of American Hockey and a chance for those who love the sport to hopefully introduce the game to friends and family.

All over the United States hockey teams at all levels of the game will be coming together in this even that is sponsored by USA Hockey.

For Ranger fans it is a reminder that 2 of the biggest reasons why there was a Stanley Cup run in 1994 was because of Americans Brian Leetch and Mike Richter. We at Prospect Park are going to do our part as well by getting the word out on being planned all across the USA.

We start by turning this space over to our friend from USA Hockey Dave Fischer and his message about the weekend ahead:

Hockey Weekend Across America, a new nationwide initiative led by USA Hockey, begins Friday (Feb. 15) and runs through Sunday (Feb. 17).

Hockey Weekend Across America's objective is to celebrate hockey and all those involved in the game at all levels and also expose the game to additional audiences to attract more players, coaches, officials and volunteers to the sport.

"It's terrific to see all the things happening around the country as part of Hockey Weekend Across America,"said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "I commend the entire hockey community for its enthusiastic participation."

Each of the three days of Hockey Weekend Across America has a theme, including:

Friday (Feb. 15) – Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey to School Day
Saturday (Feb. 16) – Bring a Friend to the Rink Day
Sunday (Feb. 17) – Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day

Fans across the country may register to win in Hockey Weekend Across America(I¡Ç(Bs Great Prize Giveaway at HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com. Each day of Hockey Weekend Across America, one lucky fan will win a Reebok Hockey head-to-toe equipment prize package valued at approximately $3,000. Other prizes include autographed jerseys from members of U.S. National and Olympic teams.

For those of you who have the NHL Network we really want to take you down memory lane as on Saturday Feb. 16th at 1 PM EDT/10 AM PDT, Game 3 of the 1996 Canada Cup Final which to Ranger fans is the game that Mike Richter won for Team USA. Of course the Rangers will be playing the Sabres at the same time so tape this one if you have never seen this game.

At 6 PM EDT/3 PM PDT the NHL Network will show "the game that will last a lifetime" as Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup finals will be shown as some guy named Brian Leetch becomes the first American to playoff MVP in NHL history.

During the week we will be posting events that will be taking place involving Ranger teams, players and even the prospects.

Like this one up at Monsey, New York:The Ramapo Saints will be hosting a 3 on 3 tournament on Monday, Feb. 18th, The New York Rangers Road Tour Truck with trailer, Bounce House and Slapshot Booth will be at the Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks from 10 AM until 2PM.

The Ohio Junior Junior Bluejackets (who 2007 7th Round pick Danny Hobbs plays for) are having a "Wear your favorite Jersey and get admitted FREE" on Friday evening for their game against the Green Bay Gamblers.

We will have more during the week.