The DMV Girls Hockey Weekend returns this September, offering a free entry point for young girls to experience the sport at 18 rinks scattered across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The two‑day event is designed specifically for girls aged four to nine, providing a brief, focused ice session where participants can try hockey without any cost barrier.
A $32,991 grant from the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation covers the cost of equipment, ensuring that each girl steps onto the ice with full gear for the duration of the session.
Connecting with a National Push
The weekend aligns with USA Hockey’s Try Hockey for Free program, a nationwide initiative that has driven registration in the district to climb more than 220 percent over the past two decades.
Last year, 18 local clubs welcomed over 630 first‑time female players, and the ripple effect was evident in the Future Caps Learn to Play program, where girls’ enrollment jumped by more than eight percent.
The growth reflects a broader trend in the nation’s capital, where the presence of star players like Alex Ovechkin has helped shift attitudes and boost youth participation across the region.
Partner organizations, including the Washington Capitals, the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association, and local youth clubs, coordinate the logistics, from rink assignments to equipment distribution, reinforcing a collaborative model that has become a template for similar initiatives.