Northern Kentucky Hockey Kids

CRESCENT SPRINGS, Ken – I took a short drive to the Northern Kentucky Ice Center to meet up with rink owner Hugh Miller and NKHK co-founder Tammy Nolan recently. I was intrigued by the concept of a foundation set up to help the next generation of hockey players.
 
Hugh Miller runs a two rink operation in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati that provides training from the Instructional Program Level(3-5 year olds) through High school. His rink is also home to the Northern Kentucky University Norse hockey Team. Mr. Miller works hard to see that each child who participates has the equipment needed to play hockey up to the high school level.
 

This is where NKHK co-founder and mother of 5 year old Caleb comes into our story. Tammy Nolan is a single mother who overheard another mom telling her young son that hockey was over for him at the time when the child was getting excited and into the sport. When she inquired further it was due to the lack of funds to pay for the next ten week session which can run upwards of $200.00.
 
Tammy wrote the check that allowed this youngster to continue developmental play and continue his dream of playing for USA hockey at the Olympic level someday.
 
Thus was born the idea behind Northern Kentucky Hockey Kids.
 
This group now raises funds to provide those parents who cannot afford for their child to learn and develop hockey skills to follow their dreams. The goal is to provide assistance where needed and spur on the ideals of hard work, fair play, and reaching for a goal that you have set.
 
The children in the program are required to keep their school grades at an acceptable level in order to continue play as well. Currently approximately 100 children participate in the program. The organization will be having a fundraiser on March 24^th,2011 for the upcoming session of hockey. This will consist of professional photographs of the children in their hockey uniforms and interaction with a Pro level hockey player yet to be named.
 
The fundraiser has quite a few sponsors at this point and most are donating a product or service to be raffled off with the proceeds benefitting NKHK and their mission. Pro Hockey News is a sponsor and will provide the photographer and his services/ time for the event.
 
You can go to the NKHK website at http://nkyhockeykids.weebly.com/ for information regarding this event and how you can further their cause.
 
This is a worthy organization and idea that can help in the development of our next generation of professional U.S. hockey players.
 
Contact the writer at Rob.Huelsman@Prohockeynews.com