The City of Hoboken and the New Jersey Devils are teaming up to introduce a new youth ball hockey program at the recently renovated Johnny Ray McDonald Jr. Hockey Rink.
The program offers free instruction and equipment to local youth ages 5 to 17 and stars in October at the Multi-Service Center on 124 Grand St..
“This program represents an exciting new opportunity for Hoboken’s youth to stay active, build skills, and enjoy team sports in a safe and newly improved facility,” Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said in a written statement.
The program will provide co-ed instruction in hockey fundamentals through weekly sessions running from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1.
The initiative follows recent renovations to the rink funded by a $230,000 donation from the New Jersey Devils, which covered new flooring, dasher boards, and surface improvements. The Devils also provided an additional $10,000 for part-time coaching staff.
“This brand new ball hockey program, hosted on a beautifully renovated, best-in-class rink, establishes an accessible and inclusive recreational offering for a very passionate hockey community,” Jillian Frechette, chief marketing officer of New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center said in a written statement.
Sessions will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with age groups divided into five time slots. The Devils will provide all necessary equipment, including T-shirts and gift bags. Qualified coaches and Devils alumni will lead the instruction.
Registration opens Sept. 5 at newjerseydevils.com/hobokenhockey on a first-come, first-served basis. The city’s recreation division also plans to launch ball and roller hockey leagues for teens and adults later this year.
The rink was renamed in 2022 to honor Johnny Ray McDonald Jr., a longtime coach who helped establish Hoboken’s first children’s instructional hockey program during his nearly 20-year career with the city’s Recreation Department.
Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
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