by Hugo Bravo

On Feb. 12, Boston Bruins centers Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie hosted a street hockey clinic for children at The Salvation Army Boston Kroc Center.

“The kids were very excited to see professional hockey players come hang out with them and share their craft. Their positive energy was reflected throughout our building that day. Even some parents came out to watch,” says Major Elijah Kahn, general secretary of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division.

Major Kahn says that even though hockey isn’t as widely known in the community as basketball or football, it’s important that children discover new activities in which they can excel.

“Some of the children had never even held a hockey stick before that day,” says Major Kahn. “But with professional players teaching them, they learned about the game, the equipment, its rules, and it brought about an opportunity to expand their horizons.”

After the clinic, everyone took part in a street hockey game inside the Kroc Center’s gymnasium to try out their newly acquired knowledge of the sport. Along with gift bags for the attendees, the players also donated all the hockey equipment they had brought with them to the Boston Kroc.

By doing so, the Bruins have already planted the seeds for more hockey at the Kroc, Major Kahn says. “Winters in New England can be a very tough time for sports,” he says, “but with an indoor facility like ours, we can bring hockey to the Kroc and our young people.”