COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Skaneateles (N.Y.) Youth Hockey Association earned top honors in the Hockey Weekend Across America contest for best programming, it was announced today by USA Hockey.

Hockey Weekend Across America was staged Feb. 15-17 and is a yearly initiative led by USA Hockey throughout the hockey community to celebrate the game and all those involved and also expose the game to new audiences.

SYHA received the grand prize of 25 sets of OneGoal starter equipment. Five other youth hockey organizations received checks for $1,000 as runners-up in the contest.

SYHA used the weekend to look back at the town's hockey heritage. Included in the festivities was the construction of an outdoor hockey rink, built on the site of the town's original ice sheet, and a ceremony honoring Skaneateles hockey pioneer, W.G. Allen. The association utilized each of Hockey Weekend Across America's three themes, "Wear Your Jersey to School," "Bring a Friend to the Rink," and "Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes."

The runners-up included, Brick (N.J.) Hockey Club, Chippewa Youth Hockey Association (Chippewa Falls, Wis.), Hershey (Pa.) Jr. Bears Girls Hockey, Knoxville (Tenn.) Amateur Hockey Association and Palouse Youth Hockey Association (Moscow, Idaho).