Goal of NHL's youth street hockey event in P.E.I. is to foster love of the game

It would have seemed just like a friendly neighbourhood street hockey game. Kids in their favourite team jerseys, sticks in hand, yelps of delight when the ball hits the back of the net.

There were some differences, though.

The teams were playing inside the Summerside Silver Fox Entertainment Complex on a floor that's normally covered by ice during curling season. There were also referees and professional-looking boards.

Oh, and there were a few officials with the National Hockey League watching the games play out.

It's all part of a two-day tournament held by NHL Street, the league's official youth street hockey league that's aimed at making the sport more accessible to kids across North America.

"I think it's amazing," said Jodi-Lynne Martel of Summerside, whose 10-year-old son, Roman, donned anAnaheim Ducks jersey to play in the tournament.

"Anything you can do to get involved in the community and help the kids in sport and activity and get them off that screen time, I'm definitely excited to participate in," she added. "And who doesn't want to be part of an NHL-branded event?"

"It's a very fun sport," Roman said. "You can get to know friends, it's a team [game], it's very creative too. You can dream big, win the Stanley Cup when you get to the NHL."

The street hockey event came to P.E.I. as part of a three-year marketing partnership with the NHL that the province inked earlier this year that saw the Island branded as the league's official tourism destination.

The provincial government is paying the NHL $2.5 million for the first year of the agreement, which gives P.E.I. access to the league's marketing machine. The attractions of a trip to Prince Edward Island will receive broadcast exposure, and the league will host some business meetings and summits here in turn.

Beyond the business angle though, the street hockey aspect of the event is meant to draw kids into hockey who might not have otherwise picked up a stick.

"They can come in here, pick up a stick, meet some new friends, have some fun and truly enjoy the game of hockey," said Jeff Scott, the NHL's vice-president of hockey development and industry growth.

"We understand that hockey is a game that's not always accessible, but of course through ball hockey it can be accessible anywhere."

'There should be no barriers'

The enthusiasm seemed to be contagious.

Dozens of kids registered for the tournament, and got an NHL team jersey to take home with them once they were done making memories, and scoring goals, on the floor.

"As soon as I heard of it I wanted to come," said Isabel Ramsay, 11.

"That feeling of scoring a goal, it just makes you feel good."

The event continues Sunday in Summerside, and while players did register for the tournament, Scott said any kids were welcome to come and pick up a stick.