WIMAUMA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning is working to endure the next generation of hockey stars is more diverse.
- 100,000 hockey sticks being donated to schools
- Lightning sponsor several street hockey leagues
- Goal is to introduce children to sport
The team is on track to donate 100,000 hockey sticks to more than 325 schools over a five-year period. About 80,000 have already distributed.
The goal is to introduce the sport to communities where hockey isn't a staple like soccer, basketball or baseball.
RCMA Leadership Academy, a mostly Hispanic charter school in Wimauma, is one of the recipients of the Lightning's generosity. The newly-formed team won a championship in their first year.
"They just told us to pick up a stick and kind of line freestyle, and I loved it," said Armando Hernandez. "I loved playing hockey so ever since I’ve been practicing."
Josh Dreith, manager of street and youth hockey for the Lightning, said he wasn't surprised at the RCMA's success.
"At any level, anyone can play the game of hockey," Dreith said. "We've noticed that and that"s the most special part of it."
Currently, the Lightning is sponsoring six street hockey leagues. Plans are in the works to sponsor a girl's league.