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Olympic Ice Sheet at USA Hockey Arena Named in Honor of Mitchel Kiefer

12/06/2017, 8:30am EST
By USAHockeyArena.com

Dedication Ceremony to be held Wednesday (Dec. 6)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Olympic rink at USA Hockey Arena will be named the Mitchel Kiefer Memorial Rink it was announced today by USA Hockey.

Kiefer, who played hockey at USA Hockey Arena for Detroit Catholic Central High School, tragically lost his life in an automobile accident that involved a distracted driver in September 2016.

“Steve (Mitchel’s father) wanted to do something to memorialize his son and also bring attention to distracted driving,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “We’re pleased to have accomplished both of those objectives and we look forward to formally naming the rink next week.”

“To honor Mitchel while also gaining a platform to share our mission to end distracted driving is an amazing opportunity,” said Steve Kiefer. “USA Hockey does so many wonderful things and ultimately we all want to positively impact the lives of young people.”

The formal naming of the rink will take place Wednesday (Dec. 6) at 6:30 p.m. ET before the Detroit Catholic Central boys varsity hockey game against De LaSalle. The schedule of activities includes an interactive distracted driving simulation by the PEERS Foundation and an on-ice dedication ceremony with the Kiefer family and representatives from USA Hockey and Detroit Catholic Central High School, which utilizes USA Hockey Arena as the home of its hockey program.

ABOUT USA HOCKEY ARENA: USA Hockey Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Plymouth Township, Michigan, opened in 1996. Originally known as the Compuware Sports Arena, it was renamed to USA Hockey Arena in 2015 when the USA Hockey Foundation purchased the arena. USA Hockey Arena encompasses approximately 190,000 square feet with one main seating level, private suites and press boxes. The creative design of the arena affords the opportunity to provide 3,504 seats for hockey games and 4,500 seats for concerts and other performances.

ABOUT USA HOCKEY: USA Hockey Inc., founded on October 29, 1937, and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders, sometimes even Olympic heroes; and connects the game at every level while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. With more than one million players, coaches, officials and volunteers that span all 50 states, USA Hockey serves as the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States and has important partnerships with the NHL, United States Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. For more information, visit usahockey.com.

ABOUT THE KIEFER FOUNDATION: The Kiefer foundation aims to combat distracted driving through its “Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel” campaign by encouraging drivers to take a more active role in increasing the number of distraction-free drivers on the road. More information about the Kiefer Foundation is available at www.mkiefer.org.

For more information about USA Hockey Arena please contact: Kris Nolt (kris.nolt@usahockey.org)

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