COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Hockey Week Across America begins next Monday, Feb. 19, and runs through Feb. 25. 

Among the highlights of the week-long celebration -- which includes a special theme for each day -- is Saturday’s (Feb. 24) Try Hockey for Free Day, where hundreds of local rinks nationwide host events to provide children ages 4 to 9 who have never tried hockey the chance to do so for free. Families can find a location hosting a Try Hockey For Free event near them by visiting TryHockeyForFree.com. 

Started in 2008 by USA Hockey, Hockey Week Across America is aimed at celebrating the game and those involved at all levels, while introducing the sport to new audiences. 

NHL Network and SiriusXM NHL Network Radio will have special guests throughout the week to help celebrate Hockey Week Across America and teams and associations at all levels of the sport will be engaged in various ways to showcase the sport.

The festivities also include Hockey Day in America on TNT on Sunday (Feb. 25), inclusive of an NHL doubleheader on the network, with Tampa Bay at New Jersey at 1 p.m. ET, followed by Philadelphia at Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The USA Hockey Foundation will also launch a U.S. Olympic Women’s Hockey Team signed jerseys auction, featuring jersey signed by Olympic teams throughout the years. The auction will begin on Wednesday (Feb. 21) at 6 p.m. ET and will end on Monday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Fans interested in bidding on the jerseys can click HERE.

Fans are encouraged to engage with daily themes through social media and use the designated hashtags for each day.

HOCKEY WEEK ACROSS AMERICA DAILY THEMES

Watch It. Play It. Live It

Mon., Feb. 19 – USA Day, #TeamUSA

Tues., Feb. 20 – Hockey is for Everyone Day, #HockeyIsForEveryone

Wed., Feb. 21 – Stick Salute Day, #StickSalute

Thurs., Feb. 22 – Hockey History Day, #ThrowbackThursday

Fri., Feb. 23 – Hockey Jersey Day, #HockeyJerseyDay

Sat., Feb. 24 – Try Hockey for Free Day, #TryHockey

Sun., Feb. 25 – Welcome to Hockey Day, #WelcomeToHockey

NOTES: Pure Hockey is the official sponsor of Try Hockey for Free Days … To date, USA Hockey has introduced more than 250,000 children to the sport through its national Try Hockey for Free Days… For more information about Hockey Week Across America, click here … For more information about Try Hockey for Free Day, click here.