Opening Of BOLTSmar Street Hockey Rink Set On Saturday

OLDSMAR, FL — The long-awaited puck drop is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. as eager kids join Tampa Bay Lightning alumni and Oldsmar city officials for the official opening of the BOLTSmar Lightning Made Street Hockey Rink.

The grand opening will feature a short presentation with City of Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel and City Manager Al Braithwaite, Heritage Insurance CEO Bruce Lucas, Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Steve Griggs and Vice President of Community Hockey Development Jay Feaster followed by the opening puck drop.

The rest of the day will consist of ball hockey clinics for various age groups, games outside the rink, music and autograph signing by Lightning alumni. Special guests will include Thunder Bug, Blue Crew and Rolling Thunder.

Hockey clinics will be offered for all ages and skills:
10-11 a.m. (3- to 6-year-olds)
11 a.m.-noon (7- to 10-year-olds)
12-1 p.m. (11- to 15-year-olds)
1-2 p.m. (16+ / adults)

Be sure to register for the clinics ahead of time by clicking here.

The clinics will be conducted by Lightning Alumni including Jassen Cullimore, Mathieu Garon, Glen Metropolit and John Tucker.

These clinics are for all skill levels to try out the sport of hockey. Kids will be provided a ball hockey stick to use if they don't bring their own. No other equipment is necessary.

The new 120- by 60-foot covered hockey rink with a Sport Court playing surface includes players benches, penalty box, scoreboard, spectator bleachers and immense fans to cool everyone. Programs consist of year-round clinics, leagues for all ages, and special events. It is located at the Oldsmar Sport Complex, 3120 Tampa Road, Oldsmar.

The public rink is one of 10 being built in the Tampa Bay area as part of the Build the Thunder 2.0 and Connect the Thunder initiatives. This is the first in Pinellas County.

The Tampa Bay Lightning's Community Hockey Department, led by 2004 Stanley Cup-winning general manager, Jay Feaster, is actively involved in the Tampa Bay hockey community; managing the Lightning High School Hockey League, all Lightning Made camps and clinics, the Lightning Sled Hockey Program, Future Goals - Hockey Scholar, the Rookie and Heroes Leagues, as well as the Street Lightning program.

The Build the Thunder program is the organization's most extensive hockey outreach, having impacted more than 100,000 young people in Tampa Bay.

Programs:

• A seven-week youth ball hockey skill development clinic for age 6 and up starts Saturday, Nov. 2.
• Youth recreation leagues also start next month.
• The Adult Open Ball Hockey League for age 16 and over begins Monday, Nov. 4 and runs for six weeks.
• The Adult Recreation Ball Hockey League for ages over 40 begins Thursday, Nov. 7 and runs for six weeks.

To register, click here.

See related story:

Lightning To Break Ground On Outdoor Hockey Rink In Oldsmar