The National Hockey League (NHL) and USA Hockey
announced the inaugural Come Play Hockey Month initiative, a nationwide
effort designed to increase participation in the sport of ice hockey in the
U.S. Come Play Hockey Month is a component of the NHL's Hockey
is for Everyone (HIFE) program, which provides children of all backgrounds the
opportunity to play hockey.

The nation's youth hockey community and many
U.S.-based NHL clubs, players, alumni and fans will support Come Play Hockey
Month with a slate of activities — including Try Hockey for Free Day on
Saturday, Nov. 5, on which more than 430 local ice rinks across 47 states
are expected to conduct a free one-hour clinic to introduce nearly 10,000 kids
to the sport of hockey.

A highlight of the initiative will take place in
Newark, NJ, where NHL pioneer and HIFE Ambassador Willie O'Ree will join New
Jersey Devils alumni Ken Daneyko and Grant Marshall to introduce the sport to
local
children.  The event will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the AmeriHealth Pavilion
and will be hosted by the Devils, in partnership with local youth hockey
organization Hockey in Newark-a member of the NHL's HIFE initiative that
provides hockey programming for economically disadvantaged children.

O'Ree has served as the NHL's Director of Youth
Development since January, 1998.  On January 18, 1958, playing for the
Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens, O'Ree became the first black
person to play in the NHL — an extraordinary event that paved the way for
future players of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Try Hockey for Free Day will build upon last
year's historic youth hockey season during which, for the first time ever, more
than 100,000 children age 8 and under registered to play hockey in the United
States —
a 15% increase since 2008. To learn more about Try Hockey for Free Day visit
www.tryhockeyforfree.com.

On Nov. 18-20, the NHL, Philadelphia Flyers
and USA Hockey also will team up to present the 2011 USA Hockey Sled Classic,
bringing together NHL club-sponsored adult sled hockey teams from across the
United States. Over 100 of the top sled hockey players in the country will take
part in the second annual tournament. All games will be played at the Virtua
Center Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ, the Flyers' official practice
facility. For more information on the 2011 USA Hockey Sled Classic visit
www.usahockey.com.

“We are honored to partner with USA Hockey
on this very important effort,” said Kenneth Martin, Jr., NHL vice president of community affairs. “Come Play Hockey Month is an extraordinary opportunity to show our continuing
support for youth hockey and disabled hockey in the United States. We are proud
to join this initiative.”

“We are excited, through Try Hockey for
Free Day, to have the opportunity to give so many boys and girls the chance to
experience the joys our sport already provides to hundred of thousands of kids
all across America,” said Pat Kelleher, assistant executive director of membership development
for USA Hockey. “Through the efforts of the NHL and its member clubs, rink
owners all across the U.S., our affiliates and local youth associations, and many others, we've built significant momentum in so many areas
in helping our sport continue to move forward.”