Interest in youth hockey has blossomed since Rocky Russo was an adolescent.

By Tom Williams

Interest in youth hockey has blossomed since Rocky Russo was an adolescent.

For most of the 1990s, Mahoning Valley children shooting pucks were limited to the fortunate few who had dads willing to pitch in to coach and rent ice, said Russo, a 2000 Canfield High graduate who played hockey for four seasons at Kent State University.

“We skated at Mill Creek Park [Wick Recreation Area], and when we started travel hockey, we had to travel to Kent,” said Russo, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms’ director of youth hockey.

The opening of the Ice Zone 11 years ago made things a lot easier for hockey families.

Russo says interest in the sport has never been higher, thanks to an assist from Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

For the Ice Zone’s Learn-To-Play hockey series for children ages 4-10, Crosby’s “Little Penguins Learn to Play” program donated 30 full sets of hockey equipment.

“The first 30 spots in our February session filled up in four days,” said Russo, explaining that the equipment is kept by the players once the seven-week session ends.

What surprised Russo more than the sudden interest in signups is that 29 other children have enrolled for the one-hour sessions that are from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays at the Ice Zone. A bonus is that first-time course takers receive a free pair of hockey skates valued at $60. Parents supply their child’s other equipment.

“That’s an all-time high for us,” said Russo of the 59 participants. “It’s thrilling to see such a turnout — it means to me that hockey is starting to grow around here.”

Crosby and the Penguins kicked off the program in conjunction with Reebok Hockey and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The Penguins donated full sets of hockey equipment to youth programs across Western Pennsylvania and the Mahoning Valley.

The idea of the program is to lower one of the biggest barriers to entry, the cost of hockey equipment.

Russo said that the sometimes-prohibitive cost of equipment can lead to apprehension on the part of prospective hockey parents.

“A full set of hockey equipment can cost” up to $700 to $800, Russo said. “With a cost that high, it can cause some parents to hold off because they’re afraid they’ll spend almost $1,000 on gear, and two weeks later, the kids will just stop playing.”

Sandy Naples of Poland, a Penguins season ticket-holder, watched his 6-year-old son Angelo wearing a Crosby shirt skating at a recent session.

“He’s been to [Penguins] games and he really likes Sidney Crosby a lot,” said Naples, who played hockey for about 15 years. “He’s been skating since he was 3 and I was hoping he would show an interest in hockey.

“The best thing is after his first [session] he came off the ice with a big smile on his face and said, ‘Dad, I loved it.’

“If he enjoyed it as much as I did, he’s going to have a lot of years loving this,” Naples said.

Another dad watching was Poland’s Greg Blasko who had two daughters, Avery, 9, and Ellie, 8, and a son, Van, 5, participating. The Blaskos house two Phantom players — Brad Smith and Doug Clifford.

“It’s a great program, to see the kids smiling, having fun and getting exercise,” said Blasko, who plays in an adult league. “I honestly wish I [could] have started when I was their age.”

Russo said some the participants have taken the course before while others have been part of the rink’s Learn-To-Skate program.

The class is taught by Mahoning Valley Phantoms coaches and players and coaches from the Phantoms’ youth program. Russo said the program emphasizes basic aspects of hockey — skating, stick handling and beginning passing. Sessions include games such as “Star Wars” tag and soccer, which are designed to use some aspects of hockey.

The sign-up rush pleased Russo.

“To be honest, we were concerned that we might not reach 30,” Russo said. “The numbers have exceeded anything we could have hoped for, and we hope it will continue to grow.”

Children may still sign up for the remaining four sessions at a pro-rated cost from the $80 fee. For more information, call (330) 965-1423.

williams@vindy.com