Vegas Golden Knights Youth Hockey Clinics
Despite being in the off-season, the Vegas Golden Knights reaffirmed their dedication to local youth through a series of on-ice hockey clinics throughout Northern Nevada and Arizona this July. The organization’s annual road trip, aimed at promoting the sport among younger generations, launched with an energetic visit to Northern Nevada, starting on July 14, 2025.
Engaging Young Players
Here, a group of 100 enthusiastic children, aged between 5 and 13, took part in two hockey clinics held at South Tahoe. Led by Sheri Hudspeth, who directs the youth hockey programs, alongside Golden Knights broadcaster Shane Hnidy and Tahoe Knight Monsters forward Anthony Collins, the sessions were lively, with the kids also enjoying the company of the team’s mascots, Chance and Tessie.
Families traveled considerable distances to join in the fun, including Marco and Cici, who arrived all the way from London with their son Michael. Marco lamented the limited hockey training resources in the UK, emphasizing their commitment to fostering Michael’s skills.
“We have to wake up at five in the morning to devote time to training, and we’ve been doing this for four years,”
he explained. Michael’s dedication truly blossomed after his headmaster introduced him to hockey, and now he is actively involved in the sport, eagerly watching NHL highlights and building friendships on the ice.
Expanding Opportunities
Following the successful clinics in South Tahoe, the Golden Knights hit Reno Ice for another set of sold-out sessions, accommodating an additional 150 kids. Again, the clinics included sharpshooting sessions and scrimmages, facilitated by Hudspeth, Hnidy, and both mascots from the Golden Knights and the Reno Aces. Additionally, the organization contributed hockey equipment to support and encourage the growth of girls’ hockey in Northern Nevada.
As the road trip continued towards Arizona, the Golden Knights maintained their mission to nurture youth sports participation, this time including former alternate captain Deryk Engelland. On July 16, at Ice Den Scottsdale, over 150 young players engaged in drills as families enjoyed giveaways such as trading cards and sunglasses. Engelland, along with Hudspeth, led a ball hockey clinic at Sunnyslope Community Center, where they imparted skills and answered curious inquiries from the burgeoning fans.
Conclusion of the Road Trip
The final segment of their journey included three additional on-ice clinics at Ice Den Scottsdale and a Spanish-language ball hockey session hosted by LosVGK at the Chicanos Por La Causa Community Center. The tour culminated at Mullett Arena, where Golden Knights staff collaborated with Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The 2025 VGK Road Trip, which spanned over 2,127 miles, was particularly notable this year, marking the first inclusion of Arizona in the program, and it attracted over 700 young participants eager to learn the game and forge lasting memories. The Golden Knights, celebrated for their close-knit community involvement, continue to build the sport’s future through initiatives like this, proving that their commitment extends well beyond the professional rink.
PHOTO COURTESY: Vegas Golden Knights
