Steelheads Hat Trick Reading Program Returns In December

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads Hat Trick Reading Program, presented by CenturyLink and the Idaho Statesman, makes its return to libraries throughout the Treasure Valley with a kick-off event this Sunday, Dec. 2 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the Boise Public Library’s Hayes Auditorium.

Hayes Auditorium is located at 715 S. Capitol Boulevard in Boise.

At the event, children at the library will have the opportunity to meet Steelheads players for autographs and pictures as well as read stories and play games with a professional hockey player. Blue, the Steelheads Official Mascot, will also be on-hand to spend time with young hockey fans and participants.

“The Boise Public Library is excited to be partnering with the Idaho Steelheads once again to offer a great winter reading program to our youth,” said Trisha Mick, Youth Services Librarian for Boise Public Library. “Reading is a vital skill for our youth to have and enjoy so we are always looking for fun ways to help encourage reading and the Hat Trick program does just that.

“Not only does it promoted reading, it also supports family engagement as families attend the hockey games together and really get to enjoy that unique time together.”

The CenturyLink/Idaho Statesman Hat Trick Reading Program rewards young hockey fans and avid readers alike for reading at home with their families, offering children tickets and Steelheads gear for each “goal” they score. Every participant receives a special Steelheads bookmark at the beginning of the program that helps track those goals.

Each participant has three goals to achieve:            1. Going to their local library to get a library card and check out a book            2. Reading with a family member for 20 minutes a night for seven days            3. Writing a 100-word essay about the Steelheads or drawing a picture

The first “goal” for participants to achieve will reward them with a ticket to a Steelheads game. The second goal gives them another Steelheads game ticket. Completing the ‘hat trick” with the third goal will earn them a Steelheads cap. To claim their rewards, children simply return the bookmark to their local library after scoring a goal or a CenturyLink/Idaho Statesman Hat Trick.

The CenturyLink/Idaho Statesman Hat-Trick Reading Program will conclude with a free public skate for all children who participate on Sunday, Feb. 17 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at CenturyLink Arena.

The Steelheads have been happy to work with the local public libraries to keep our youth reading and expanding their education,” said Steelheads President Eric Trapp. “Reading is one of the most important parts of success for our youth of tomorrow. We are happy to have two great partners like CenturyLink and the Idaho Statesman to help us in this outreach program.

The following libraries are participating in this year’s program: Boise Public Library – Main Library, Cole Ustick, Hillcrest, Collister, and Brown Crossing; Ada Community Library – Hidden Springs, Lake Hazel, Victory, and Star; Meridian Library District – Cherry Lane, Silverstone; Kuna Library, Nampa Library, and Caldwell Public Library.

The CenturyLink/Idaho Statesman Hat Trick Reading Program is open to children age five through 13 years old.

The Steelheads return to CenturyLink Arena on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:10 p.m. against the Jacksonville Icemen. Tickets are available by calling 208-383-0080 or going to IdahoSteelheads.com. Single-game tickets and season ticket packages are on sale, with full-season packages starting as low as $300 per seat. Contact the Idaho Steelheads at 208-383-0080 for more information or log on to idahosteelheads.com.