Hockey in the Hood 7 features NHL "Hockey is for Everyone" teams at Jack Adams Arena in Detroit

Feb. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Detroit, MI - The Detroit Hockey Association present its 7th annual “Hockey In The Hood” (HITH) hockey tournament, February 18th-20th, 2011. HITH 7 games will be held at Jack Adams Memorial Arena (10500 Lyndon Avenue, Detroit, MI) and Clark Park Ice Rink (1130 Clark Street) outdoors in Detroit, MI.  http://www.detroithockey.org/hockey-blog.htm

Hockey in the Hood 7 welcomes NHL “Hockey is for Everyone” teams from  Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Washington, DC, and Wasilla, AK and several Detroit area teams.  http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=27182

This tournament celebrates diversity in hockey.  Over the past six years, nearly all NHL “Hockey is for Everyone” programs have participated in HITH.  This tournament has created greater interest in inner-city hockey in Detroit and around the USA.  It has also attracted many teams from metro-Detroit.  Suburban teams from metro Detroit have been increasing their presence since HITH V.  

“it is our goal to expose this game to as many minority youth as possible” said tournament co-founder William McCants, “the weekend breaks down stereotypes and promotes friendships amongst the participating youth both suburban and urban”, McCants said.  

Hockey in the Hood began in 2004 with games between two of the oldest mostly-black hockey programs, the Ft. DuPont Hockey Club in Washington DC and the Detroit Hockey Association (DHA).   With the success of HITHI, Ft. Dupont Founder Neal Henderson and DHA President Will McCants invited other inner-city NHL “Hockey is for Everyone“  teams around the country to participate.

HITH has always been held in February to celebrate Black History Month and also recognize Mr. Willie. O’Ree broke the NHL color barrier back in 1958. Today there are over 20 black players in the NHL.  Hockey in the Hood VII promises to be the most competitive to date. During the weekend over 300 kids will play in tournament style games and fight to capture the “Willie O’Cup” championship trophy.  

Hockey in the Hood moved back a week this year to February 18 -20.  It is also a significant week for hockey in America.  USA Hockey’s 4th annual “Hockey Weekend Across America” will be held this weekend.  USA Hockey “will feature more than 150 rinks across the country offering a free trial of hockey on Saturday, February 19.”

The Detroit Hockey Association thanks its sponsors including the NHL Hockey is for Everyone program, USA Hockey, The City of Detroit Recreation Department, and the many players, coaches and volunteers who make this event possible.

For more information visit http://DetroitHockey.org or call DHA Secretary Cynthia Wardlaw 313-727-7330 or DHA President Will McCants 313-815-9278

The Detroit Hockey Association (DHA) is an amateur, non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax exempt youth ice hockey organization based at Jack Adams Arena in Detroit, MI.  The DHA has focused on building the character of metro Detroit youth for over 30 years. Its motto, “Where goals are achieved, not just scored” guides the association.

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