Berkshire Hockey Foundation Creating Ice Time for Local Youth
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Alex Regen wants children to be able to play hockey — and not have to worry about the cost.
A founder of the Berkshire Pond Hockey Classic, he has established a nonprofit foundation to sponsor youngsters who want to hit the ice. He was inspired by the nonprofit Ice Hockey in Harlem program.
"They've been around almost 40 years, and they have a program sponsored by the NHL and some other partners, the New York Rangers hockey team, where they provide access for kids primarily in the the Harlem area, who don't necessarily have the resources to play hockey," he said. "Hockey is the most expensive youth sport in America. So this program is really the gold star standard for creating a program for kids who normally wouldn't have access to play due to financial and other barriers."
"We feel that there's now an opportunity with ice time to create a program for youth in Pittsfield, to give kids who wouldn't necessarily have access to the sport the opportunity to skate and play," Regen said.
The hockey classic will serve as the foundation's flagship event, helping raise awareness and support for its youth hockey initiatives. The 5th annual tournament is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2027, and is expected to feature 18 co-ed teams and more than 120 skaters.
The Berkshire Hockey Foundation will offer children opportunities to learn to skate and play hockey, potentially following USA Hockey's "Learn to Skate" and "Learn to Play" approach. It will be offered year-round and Regen hopes to begin the program this winter.
"I've been inspired. I've had a lot of exposure in my life that I've been very fortunate to have, and I think it's really important to provide that same type of exposure to others," he said.
The foundation is exploring partnerships with Beat the Streets, Ice Hockey in Harlem, local schools and organizations, USA Hockey, and potentially the National Hockey League.
Regen described Beat the Streets as an inspiration because of its youth basketball programming in Pittsfield. The foundation also hopes to work with the City of Pittsfield and its Parks Department to find suitable ice time, potentially including a dedicated slot at Wahconah Park for children and families.
"We really feel like skating, playing hockey is just one other avenue for kids, and we just want to remove any barriers, transportation, financial, so that kids especially from certain parts of Pittsfield and the Berkshires have the opportunity," he said. "We just want to provide opportunity, just another thing to keep kids engaged and on the right track."
Those interested in the program can contact the foundation at info@berkshirehockeyfoundation.org.
Tags: youth hockey,
