After a successful inaugural launch in the 2022-23 season, the Mile High Mites retention program is back for its second year. In 2024, 18 of 22 eligible associations participated in the program, representing a 62% increase in participation, compared to 2023. The Colorado Avalanche Learn to Play Program donated $95,512.50 to the Colorado hockey community, marking a 29% increase from 2023, with the average donation of $5,270.83 per association. Additionally, appearances from Avalanche alumni increased from 34 to 52 in the new fiscal year with Milan Hejduk, John-Michael Liles, Mark Rycroft and Yan Stastny serving as ambassadors of the program.
“The MHM program allows families a chance to try hockey and fall in love with the sport without breaking the bank, which has always been the biggest deterrent,” Arvada Hockey Association 8U/Mile High Mites Coordinator Charlene Auten said. “It also showcases the quality working relationship between the NHL, pure hockey, and local youth associations, true community partnerships."
Colorado Avalanche’s Learn to Play Program
The Colorado Avalanche’s Learn to Play Program, in partnership with the NHL & NHLPA, was built to maximize the number of kids playing hockey in Colorado. This year-round program activates with 26 different associations in Colorado and Wyoming with 50 sessions offered, averaging 1,800 kids ages 4-9 in a fiscal year.
Included in the Learn to Play registration is a full set of brand-new hockey gear through Pure Hockey, six one-hour on-ice instructional sessions taught by Local Colorado Hockey Association Coaches and Colorado Avalanche Youth Hockey Staff, as well as access to potential learn to play focused events such as an In Person Fitting, Mile High Mites Holiday Skate, NHL All-Star Enter to Win Contest and Mile High Mite Graduation Celebration.
In addition to head-to-toe equipment and access to the initiatives listed above, the participant receives a USA Hockey number so they can jump into organized hockey.
Mile High Mites Retention
The retention program, started in 2022, was created to reward associations for growing their programs and focus on keeping Learn to Play participants in the sport. Of the program’s 1,498 participants eligible for retention, 754 were retained by associations, and of the 50% of participants, 122 were female, representing 16% of the total retention.
Among all programs, the Colorado Rampage’s 149 retentions were the most, while Alamosa’s 88% retention was the highest.
“It highlights our coaches and allows us the freedom to provide an excellent first experience that keeps kids coming back,” Auten said. “If they decide hockey is not for them at first, we often have kids return even a few years out of the program. Having a quality first exposure is crucial to expanding the sport and reaching more kids who don’t know what they are missing.”
The Mile High Mites Learn to Play program is highly valuable, as demonstrated by the numbers above and its central role in the company's commitment to growing the game in Colorado.