COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A new component of Hockey Weekend Across America, which will take place Feb. 17-19, gives aspiring young officials a chance to meet with their NHL counterparts. At each home NHL game in an American city during Hockey Weekend Across America, two young officials will have a chance to meet the NHL officials working the particular contest prior to the game and then stay to watch those NHL officals in action.

Sixteen NHL teams will participate in the new event with 32 young officials having an opportunity to shadow referees at the highest level of the game. A full list of host sites and participants is below. 

"This is a terrific addition to Hockey Weekend Across America,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “It’s great that aspiring young officials will have a chance to meet and learn from the best officials in the world.”

A similar program is also being conducted in the United States Hockey League.

Each of the three days associated with Hockey Weekend Across America has a theme, including Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey, sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com on Friday; Try Hockey Day, sponsored by the NHL on Saturday and Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes, sponsored by Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports on Sunday.

On Friday, Feb. 17, fans are encouraged to visit USA Hockey's Facebook page to submit photos of themselves, their friends and colleagues donning their favorite hockey jersey as part of "Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey" day.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, more than 200 rinks across the nation will host Try Hockey for Free Clinics, exposing more than 4,000 young kids to hockey for the very first time. A list of currently scheduled clinics as well as information on how local associations or rinks can host their own event can be found here.

In honor of "Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes" day on Sunday, Feb. 19, USA Hockey is asking fans to post stories, photos or videos of their hockey heroes to its Facebook wall to share with the world. Local associations and/or fans will be honoring their local hockey heroes in various ways throughout the day.

HWAA.sportngin.com is the information hub for the event, with highlights of activities planned in conjunction with Hockey Weekend Across America from around the country, giveaway contests and downloadable promotional materials available. Associations or fans celebrating Hockey Weekend Across America are encouraged to submit their event plans to USA Hockey at the site.

NOTES: If you missed Sunday's initial release on Hockey Weekend Across America, click here. Additional information was also released on Wednesday and can be viewed here ... Hockey Weekend Across America was created by USA Hockey in 2008 to engage the hockey community in celebrating the sport of hockey at all levels and exposing the sport to new audiences ... As part of Hockey Weekend Across America for the second straight year, NBC presents its Hockey Day in America coverage throughout the afternoon on Sunday, with its studio set being located at the Wells Fargo WinterSkate outdoor rink in St. Paul, Minn. ... NHL Network U.S. will air special programming during Hockey Weekend Across America. A detailed NHL Network U.S. schedule can be found here ... Follow @USAHockey on Twitter for giveaways throughout the weekend and use the hashtag #HWAA to join the conversation ... "Like" USA Hockey's Facebook page for special news throughout Hockey Weekend Across America.