The Rochester Americans, in conjunction with Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, announced today a new season-long partnership designed to grow and promote the game of hockey at all levels.

Bill Gray’s Iceplex, which continues to serve as the official practice facility of the Amerks, currently offers hockey programming for all ages and skill levels specifically aimed at providing an all-around experience for participants. The on-ice session focuses primarily on skill and tactical development with a heavy emphasis on the game’s fundamentals, such as skating, passing and shooting. The programs also offer an increased awareness on the importance of proper technique and methodology all within the comfort of a fun environment that allows the individual to learn through having fun.

Through the expanded partnership, Amerks players, coaches and Alumni members will be available to help provide on-ice instruction so that participants are able to learn first-hand from some of the game’s top professionals.

“As an organization, we’re continuously looking at ways of introducing the game of hockey to new and active audiences,” said Amerks vice president of business operations Rob Minter. “By partnering with Bill Gray’s Iceplex and supporting the various programs they’re currently offering, it allows us the opportunity to aid in the growth and development of the sport at both the youth and adult level while also reaching a deeper level of engagement with our fans.”

“Our operational model is built upon the core foundation of fiercely growing the game of ice hockey in the Greater Rochester area,” said Chris Woodworth, general manager of Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. “We share this passion with the Rochester Americans, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with them on this initiative. This partnership will allow us to continue growing our entry-level hockey programming, which teaches hundreds of locals the greatest game on earth each year.”

Through this partnership, a progression of programming will be offered, ranging from learning to skate with advancement paths into hockey programs for both youth and adults. 

Skating 101 (all ages program) is the starting point for anyone who has a desire to learn how to play ice hockey. This eight-week program teaches all participants the fundamentals of ice skating, the building block for advancing into ice hockey. For full program information and online registration, visit bgri.fun/skating101.

Hockey 101 (ages 4 to 8) is the entry program for children to learn the game of ice hockey.  This 8-week program is free for all first-time participants, and includes a complimentary loaner equipment kit, eliminating all costs in starting out in the sport. For full program information and online registration, visit bgri.fun/hockey101.

The Never Ever League (18+) is a widely popular learn to play hockey program for adults. This co-ed program is designed for the true beginner, and since its inception in 2012, has taught over 1,000 adults how to play the game of hockey. For full program information and online registration, visit bgri.fun/neverever.

For additional information about Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, visit billgraysiceplex.com, or call 585-424-GOAL.

Amerks 2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships, which start as low as just $12 per game, are on-sale now. Full-season ticket member benefits include, but are not limited to, Riverside Club VIP Room access with Amerks Alumni, family meet and greet and annual Skate with the Players event, an exclusive preseason Ice Breaker Party and Chalk Talk with the Amerks coaching staff, your very own Season Ticket Member ID and Discount Card and much more. For more information, visit www.amerks.com/seasontickets or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS.

About Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex

Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex is a 186,000-square foot, participatory sports facility centrally located on the campus of Monroe Community College, in Rochester N.Y. It is home to four NHL-sized ice rinks, with the feature rink inside Lattimore Arena, which is capable of seating 3,000 spectators. The facility is home to a Bill Grays Restaurant & Tap Room, Abbott's Frozen Custard, Coffee ETC Cafe, Iceplex Concessions, Locker Room Sports Retail Hockey Store, Parisi Speed School, Legacy Global Sports Event Management, Lattimore Physical Therapy, Iceplex Fitness and a Visit Rochester Tourism Center. It also serves as the practice and training facility for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

The Iceplex is one of North America’s premier large-scale tournament venues, hosting numerous hockey events throughout the calendar year with teams competing from all over North America. It is also home to numerous hockey organizations, hosts of a wide range of third-party events, as well as managers of a diverse portfolio of internally run programs, leagues and special events.

Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, in conjunction with the Rochester Edge Girls Hockey, Selects Academy at Bishop Kearney, and Nazareth Women’s Hockey, will celebrate World Girls Hockey Weekend on October 6th.  

The World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend was launched by the International Ice Hockey Federation in 2011, and is a global opportunity for girls to try ice hockey as a new sport.  As part of this initiative, thousands of girls across the globe will be participating in free ‘try hockey’ events.

A free event will be taking place at the Iceplex from 10:30am to 11:30am, which will provide local girls, ages 4 to 12, an opportunity to try the game of ice hockey at no cost.
Equipment and ice skates are provided at no cost, for those who do not own their own, and on-ice instruction is provided by coaches and players from both the Rochester Edge Girls Hockey program, and Nazareth Women’s Hockey.

For full event information, or to sign up a participant, click HERE.

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About Rochester Edge Girls Hockey
Rochester Edge Girls Hockey was established to promote girls ice hockey in the Greater Rochester area. We are an independent organization currently affiliated with the Monroe County Youth Hockey and Perinton Youth Hockey organizations.  We are committed to placing every girl who is interested in hockey, from beginner to elite player, on an age-appropriate and skill-appropriate team that will maximize their athletic development and grow their love for the game. On a yearly basis, we strive to field the most competitive all-girls teams possible across several age groups and skill levels. We also fully support any girl who chooses to develop their hockey skills while playing on a traditional co-ed team. Our coaching staff is dedicated to teaching sportsmanship, character and teamwork by creating a fun environment that fosters a winning attitude.

About Nazareth Women’s Hockey
Nazareth recently announced the addition of women's hockey to its athletic offerings, bringing its total of intercollegiate teams to 25. Chris Baudo, former hockey coach at Selects Academy at Bishop Kearney, and The Gunnery Prep School, was named as Head Coach of the inaugural team. The Golden Flyers will play their home games at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex on the Monroe Community College campus. Nazareth's men's hockey team, which begins its sixth season in 2017, also practices and plays there.  For more information on Nazareth Hockey, visit nazathletics.com.

About Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex
Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex is a 186,000 square foot, participatory sports facility centrally located on the campus of Monroe Community College, in Rochester N.Y. It is home to 4 NHL sized ice rinks, with the feature rink inside Lattimore Arena capable of seating 3,000 spectators.  The facility is home to 4 NHL sized ice rinks, a Bill Grays Restaurant & Tap Room, Lattimore Physical Therapy, Lattimore Fitness Center, Abbott's Frozen Custard, Coffee ETC Cafe, Iceplex Concessions, Locker Room Sports Retail Hockey Store, Parisi Speed School, Legacy Global Sports Event Management, and a Visit Rochester Tourism Center. 

Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex officially opened registration for all of it's 2018-19 Fall/Winter programming.  The 2018-19 season is a milestone year for the Iceplex, with it entering it's 20th year of existence.   The 20th year will be a special one, with many  major programming announcements, and special events taking place throughout the year.  

To learn more about the upcoming season's programming, or to register for a program, visit the following web links;

Skating 101
Hockey 101
Premite Hockey
Figure Skating 101
Figure Skating 201
Never Ever League
Iceplex Adult Hockey League

The Rochester Knighthawks are excited to announce the Second Annual Upstate Box Lacrosse Invitational will take place Saturday, Aug. 18 to Sunday, Aug. 19 at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex.

“I am looking forward to building on last year’s event, with more teams and better competition, to show our commitment to offering a great box lacrosse product here in Rochester,” said Knighthawks Academy Director Brad Gillies.

The Knighthawks are a proud partner with US Box Lacrosse Association (USBOXLA), which currently boasts 12,000 members across the United States. USBOXLA’s mission is to develop and promote youth box lacrosse in the United States.

At the 2018 Upstate Box Lacrosse Invitational, each team is guaranteed four games. On the final day of competition, kids at the Pee Wee (5th and 6th grade), Bantam (7/8 grade) and Midget (9/10 grade) divisions will compete for the championship. To register your team, go online to www.knighthawks.com/academy/upstate-invitational.

Once again, the Knighthawks have partnered with Visit Rochester, which is providing out-of-town guests with special offers and visitor information at www.visitrochester.com/sports.

Last summer at the inaugural tournament, the Jr. Knighthawks welcomed 13 teams to Rochester, NY. The USBOXLA-sanctioned event brought in players and fans from as far away as Akwesasne, Albany, and Nepean, Ontario. The Jr. Knighthawks finished undefeated to capture the Midget Division championship, while the Bantams won silver and the Pee Wee team captured bronze.

For any questions, email Brad Gillies at academy@knighthawks.com.