On July 16, 2025, the Vegas Golden Knights kicked off their VGK Road Trip, launching free youth hockey clinics across California, Nevada, and Arizona as part of their ongoing community outreach efforts. The initiative, running from July 12–17, is designed to introduce children aged 5–13 to the sport through a mix of on-ice and ball-hockey sessions—all guided by VGK youth hockey coaches and members of the VGK Cast, including the beloved mascot Chance.
Clinic schedules were carefully crafted to accommodate various age groups and skill levels. In South Lake Tahoe, sessions on July 12 served kids aged 5–8 and 9–13, while similar programs popped up in Reno, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Temple on subsequent dates . These sessions covered the fundamentals—skating, stickhandling, shooting, and small-area games—in a fun and inclusive environment.
The initiative aligns with the VGK Road Trip’s broader objective of expanding regional interest in ice hockey. As the team’s broadcast reach grows via Scripps Sports and KnightTime+ in the upcoming 2025–26 NHL season, engagement events in these markets reinforce the Knights’ investment in building grassroots support.
Las Vegas–area residents are already familiar with similar outreach from the Golden Knights Foundation, which hosts summer ball-hockey clinics throughout the valley. Last year alone, over 1,000 local children participated in up to 20 free ball-hockey events at community centers and schools.
Sheri Hudspeth, Director of Youth Hockey Programs, noted that the clinics aim to “get sticks into as many kids’ hands as possible” and spark interest in hockey among communities with limited exposure to the sport. Officials reported that these sessions are often a child’s first encounter with organized hockey, and the excitement is palpable.
The clinics are part of a long-term strategy to grow hockey across “The Realm”—VGK’s term for its outreach region—supported by the organization’s youth-skating academy programs at City National Arena in Summerlin. These year-round development efforts make hockey more accessible and nurture community spirit among young athletes and families.
By hosting free clinics in multiple states, the Golden Knights are doing more than teaching a sport—they are fostering inclusion, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and deepening fan loyalty in new markets. As they gear up for fall training camps and the NHL season ahead, these summer programs lay a foundation for the team’s future both on and off the ice.