Maine Coast Storm Youth Hockey will welcome the University of Maine Women’s Ice Hockey Team to the Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport for a special evening of hockey on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.

The community is invited to the free event that will give local families and fans an opportunity to experience Division I women’s hockey up close. The evening will begin with an open practice, allowing spectators to watch the Black Bears take the ice and see firsthand how collegiate players and coaches prepare and train. 

Following practice, attendees will have an opportunity to meet members of the University of Maine Women’s Hockey Team, followed by an on-ice community skate with the players.

“This is a great opportunity for young hockey players in our area to see the next level of the game right here at their home rink,” said Storm GTG Director Suzanne MacDonald, in a news release. “We’re excited to give people the chance not only to watch these athletes practice, but also to meet them and get on the ice alongside them.”

The event is hosted by Maine Coast Storm Youth Hockey and made possible through a Maine Amateur Hockey Association Grow the Game grant.

Grow the Game events are designed to increase participation in hockey within the state of Maine. This year’s Storm event will take place during World Girls Hockey Month, a great time to celebrate the recent successes of girls and women’s hockey at home and nationally: the recent growth of girls and women’s hockey programs in the Midcoast, exciting wins from the UMaine women’s team, the expansion of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and Team USA winning the gold in the 2026 Olympics.

Admission to the event and participation in the community skate are free. Attendees who do not have their own skates may rent a pair at Midcoast Recreation Center for $5.

Maine Coast Storm Youth Hockey provides hockey opportunities for young athletes throughout Maine’s Midcoast region, offering programs ranging from introductory and house hockey to competitive travel teams. The organization works to grow the sport locally while creating a positive environment where young players can develop their skills and love of the game.