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Local Youth and High School Hockey Players to Test AHL “Skills”

Providence, RI (12/24/2015): In the second event of its kind ever held in Rhode Island, the American Hockey League’s “Skills Test” will be presented to four ocal youth hockey and high school organizations in January.

“This is a major step forward in telling young players the genesis of their sport in Rhode Island began with the Rhode Island Reds of the professional Canadian-Hockey League back in 1927. Last year we ran only one event as a test and it was so well received we’re going with four this year.

Organized by the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society with the cooperation of the American Hockey League, two boys’ teams and two girls’ teams will be able to test the AHL’s comprehensive skills challenge at the Alex & Ani Outdoor Rink in Providence starting this January. Weather permitting, the AHL skills is scheduled as follows:

  • Sunday, Jan. 3: Barrington High Girls, 8-10 a.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 9: Sting Girls, 8-10 a.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 16: Barrington High Boys, 8-10 a.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 30: Warwick Jr. Boys, 8-10 a.m.

The skills test was generously provided by the AHL to the Reds society in both video and diagram formats. According to the AHL only one other group (from Connecticut) has ever requested the league’s model. The Alex & Ani facility has donated the ice time.

“Our objective is to introduce to young hockey players the required series of skills expected at the pro hockey level,” said Buster Clegg, president of the 700-member Reds historical organization. “In a highly competitive format, we hope kids will recognize their strengths and their weaknesses so they can improve their performances in order to reach their next level of competition. We thank both the AHL and the Alex & Ani outdoor rink for their kind contributions to this unusual opportunity.”

Drills will consist of skating, passing and shooting and run by each organization’s coaches and assistants. There will be no scrimmaging. Four goaltenders will rotate to handle shots. “This is designed to be a fun event and instructive for the future for the young players.” Clegg said.

Spectator admission is free of charge.

For further information call 401-230-5905 or e-mail RIREDS15@gmail.com.

R. I. Reds Heritage Society
PO Box 504 Lincoln, RI 02895
Telephone: 401-230-5905
email: RIREDS15@gmail.com