In eight years of existence, the Philadelphia Flyers Learn to Play Rookie Program has become one of the most successful in the league wide initiative that the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association launched back in 2015.
Every area that has an NHL team has a Learn to Play program that provides families with affordable access to take part in the sport of ice hockey for their sons or daughters from ages five to nine. A one time participation fee provides free head to toe hockey equipment, age appropriate hockey instruction from certified coaches that takes place in a fun and safe atmosphere.
However, this year the Flyers have added a brand new program called the Girls Learn to Play Program. Rob Baer, the Flyers Amateur and Youth Hockey programs director stated, “One of our long-term goals has been to encourage more participation from girls. We’ve always invited and welcomed girls to take part in the Learn to Play program but we believe having a dedicated girls’ hockey Learn to Play program will help us accelerate the process,”
The available sessions are in:
Bucks County Ice (Warminster, PA) beginning March 17
Ice Line (West Chester, PA) beginning March 28
Ice Works (Aston, PA) beginning April 15
The lead instructor for the Girls Learn to Play program is former Team USA women’s national team and Cornell women’s hockey standout Alyssa Gagliardi. Gagliardi stated, “The Flyers’ Girls Learn to Play Program is an incredible way to get more girls involved in hockey and continue to grow the game. The game of hockey instills so much confidence, teamwork, and work ethic in people of all ages, I love that the Flyers are specifically investing in this program for young girls to be able to learn the game with their peers. It’s so special to see the smiles, laughs and friendships that come from learning the sport of hockey together.”
After Gagliardi finished with her playing career she joined the Carolina Hurricanes organization’s Youth Hockey Development and also coached for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Tier I Girls Program that emphasized Skill and Player Development. Currently Gagliardi is an Assistant Coach for the Neumann University Men’s Ice Hockey program and a Skill Development Coach for the Maine Mariners. In addition to all of that, she is a volunteer coach with the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors veterans team.
Additional information and registration for the Girls learn to Play Rookie Program can be found at https://www.learntoplay.nhl.com/locations/flyers/.
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