Hockey on Your Block’s goal is to give children who wouldn’t normally get a chance to play hockey that chance.
One of the ways the non-profit organization recruits kids is by going into Chicago Public Schools. Hundreds of kids of all races and ethnicities have signed up in recent years, and there’s a waiting list of 200 at this moment. Over time, Hockey on Your Block co-founder and executive director Ray Lilja has recognized one distinct trend in the children interested in hockey within the schools.
“We’ve all marveled at how many Hispanic kids sign up,” Lilja said.