Rochester to benefit from Labatt Blue’s “Pass It Forward” initiative

Members Wild Sled Hockey team and Rochester Ice Hawks. (Photo coutesy of mnsledhockey.org)

Funding Will Help Grow and Advance Sled Hockey Across U.S.

USA Hockey announced today that Rochester Minnesota’s Rochester Sled Hockey program is among 10 sled hockey programs nationwide that will equally share $250,000 in grants provided by Labatt USA through its Pass it Forward initiative.

“We’re grateful to Labatt for providing funding to help further the development of sled hockey,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “The substantial number of applications we received shows the desire all across the country to continue to grow sled hockey. It was not an easy task for our selection committee to settle on the 10 recipients.”

“When we began working with USA Hockey to figure out how Labatt could help support sled hockey, we learned that awareness and access are the sport’s two biggest challenges,” said Lisa Texido, brand manager of Labatt USA. “Everyone deserves the chance to play hockey and this ‘Pass It Forward’ initiative helps bring access to hockey to more athletes who want to play the game.”

Each of the 10 programs will receive $25,000 to be used for items such as sleds, stick, ice time and uniforms. Rochester is one of five previously established USA Hockey sled programs to receive the funding with five newly created programs receiving assistance as well.