The Cleveland Monsters, the American Hockey League affiliate, have unveiled a slate of summer and fall youth hockey initiatives aimed at expanding participation across Northeast Ohio.
A Summer of Skates and Street Play
The lineup features the Summer Street Hockey Series, a Girls Grow the Game Street Hockey Clinic, a Monsters On‑Ice Clinic, and an expanded Mini Monsters Learn to Play program, each designed to introduce children of varying ages and skill levels to the sport.
The Summer Street Hockey Series runs from early July through August and is open to boys and girls between five and twelve, offering USA Hockey‑certified instruction on local rinks and outdoor surfaces.
Complementing the series, the all‑girls clinic provides a focused environment for female players to develop skills and confidence, aligning with the Monsters’ broader push to diversify the sport.
From July 27 to 30, the Monsters On‑Ice Clinic will take over the Brunswick Auto Mart Arena, delivering intensive on‑ice training led by former NHL players and coaches.
The Mini Monsters Learn to Play program, now in its third year, will roll out at three sites — Brooklyn, North Canton and Cleveland — starting this fall, giving children as young as three a structured introduction to hockey while providing full equipment rentals.
Priced at $300 per participant, the program covers weekly sessions, a custom Mini Monsters jersey, and all necessary gear, making the sport accessible to families who might otherwise face cost barriers.
Registration operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis and can be completed through the team’s official website; early sign‑ups also receive a complimentary partnership voucher from Clean Express Car Wash, a longtime sponsor of the club’s community outreach.
Executives such as Jock Callander, the club’s senior vice president of youth development, and Brad Thiessen, director of player advancement, emphasized that these programs are part of a long‑term strategy to nurture talent and grow the game in Ohio.
Partnerships with local institutions, including University Hospitals and the Ohio Hockey Project, further reinforce the Monsters’ commitment to health, education and grassroots hockey development across the region.