By WENDY HOSSE
For Brentwood Home Page
On Wednesday, the Nashville Predators welcomed the Scales Elementary YMCA Fun Company into the Street Pride family. 

Predators Nick Spaling and Matt Halischuck, along with many Predator staff members, were on hand to teach some fundamental hockey skills and play a few games at the Murray Lane campus.  A special appearance by Gnash was a highlight of the afternoon. 

Scales PE teacher Brenda Vroon is thrilled Scales has been included in the Street Pride program.  “The PE department will be able to utilize the street hockey equipment in our Encore after school programs.  The YMCA Fun Company (the after-school care program for Scales students) will benefit greatly from this opportunity from the use of this wonderful equipment, and the exposure to a growing sport in our area.”

The NHL coordinates a league-wide street hockey program, NHL Street, to serve local community centers and schools by providing an athletic and educational program free of charge. The NHL and Nashville Predators have extended this program into the Middle Tennessee area through Street Pride, presented by UnitedHealthcare, providing street hockey equipment (sticks, rubber pucks, no-bounce balls, nets, and protective goalie gear) and start-up street hockey instruction for coaching and administration. The Preds also provide informative manuals for staff and participants, consistent follow-up with program centers and player/coach clinics.

This free, grassroots-hockey development program breaks down any socio-economic barriers associated with the program by emphasizing that all a child needs to play hockey is sneakers.

More than 1 million kids aged 6-16 across North America have participated in NHL Street. For more information please, visit nashvillepredators.com/youthhockey.