This year's fifth annual event will take place on January 30 - and the CCHA, FOX Sports Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association are teaming up again to bring the coast-to-coast celebration to current and new participants and fans all across the state.
 
Hockey Day in Michigan celebrates the passion of the game and honors the contributions of the thousands of volunteers, coaches, officials, managers and players who give countless hours to the game.   The day is also an opportunity to bring special attention to the sport so that more people might consider watching it and trying it.  Michigan has over 61,000 players, coaches and officials registered with USA Hockey, which is the second most of any state in the nation.

FOX Sports is again proud to provide coverage of the traditional CCHA Hockey Day in Michigan doubleheader. Hockey Day 2010 features Western Michigan at 2009 national runner-up Miami at 5:05 p.m. followed by "College Hockey's Fiercest Rivalry", as Michigan takes on Michigan State at 7:35 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.

FOX Sports Detroit's coverage of Hockey Day 2009 involved more than just the traditional CCHA doubleheader.  It included features on the history of hockey in Michigan, the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan, Hockey Day in Michigan Clinics in Novi, instructional pieces from former Red Wing and current FOX Sports Detroit analyst Larry Murphy ("Lessons with Larry"), and fun facts about other types of hockey like bubble hockey, air hockey and video game hockey.  Area youth teams got a chance to give "Happy Hockey Day" greetings to the Fox Sports Detroit viewers as well.

This year's Hockey Day in Michigan will again coincide with USA Hockey's third-annual "Hockey Weekend Across America" celebration of the game on January 29-31, 2010. "We are proud and excited that Hockey Day in Michigan, launched in 2006, is now part of a nationwide celebration whose scope continues to expand each year," said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos. "It's a great way for everyone involved in hockey to show their passion for the sport and share that passion with others who might consider trying it or watching it. We encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate in their own way." 

We hope your association will be planning an event in your community to celebrate. USA Hockey will be promoting a nationwide, free trial of hockey from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on that day. Their goal is to have over 200 rinks and associations participating in the event. To be listed as participants in the event, and for more information, email growthegame@usahockey.org. I hope all Michigan Associations will participate in this great event.

Happy Hockey Day!