ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced today that the club will hold Ace’s Got Skills, a youth hockey competition that will take place at three ice rinks throughout Southern California in early March. 

“The Ace Bailey youth competition events are instrumental to our fan development initiatives because it encourages youth hockey players to hone their skills and grow the sport of hockey in Southern California,” said Mighty Ducks Director of Fan Development Matt Savant. “We are anticipating a great turnout, and we are excited to see how our Southern California players match up against players across North America.”

Boys and girls ages 9-12 are encouraged to participate in this competition that tests skill level in five different categories: fastest skater, hardest shot, most accurate shooter, shoot out and best goalie.  Launched in September 2004, Ace’s Got Skills is modeled after the NHL’s All-Star Super Skills Competition.  The winners from each local competition will be honored at the Arrowhead Pond on March 12, before the Mighty Ducks take on the Phoenix Coyotes.  Each winner will receive three tickets to stay for the game.  The finalist from the competition will then be eligible for a national competition, tentatively set for mid-June in New York City.

Registration fees will benefit the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to the well being of children undergoing major medical treatment in hospitals.  This goal is being achieved through the establishment and improvement of hospital programs, environments and professional services that reduce the stress of hospitalization for newborns, children and their families. 

The competition and foundation’s namesake, Ace Bailey, played eleven seasons in the NHL on five different teams and won two Stanley Cup trophies with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972.  After his playing career, he joined the Edmonton Oilers scouting staff before serving as the Director of Pro Scouting for the Los Angeles Kings for seven years.  He was killed on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks as he was on board a flight to Los Angeles for the Kings’ training camp.

For more information on the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim or Ace’s Got Skills and to register for the competition at http://www.acesgotskills.com.

Local Ace’s Got Skills dates and locations:

Aliso Viejo Ice Palace
Monday, March 6, 2006
6:15p-9:15p
Corey Perry will be signing autographs at this location for Ace Bailey Competition participants…signup today!

Riverside Ice Town
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
6:30p-9:30p
Joffrey Lupul will be signing autographs at this location for Ace Bailey Competition participants…signup today!

Anaheim Ice
Thursday, March 9, 2006
6p-9p
Joffrey Lupul will be signing autographs at this location for Ace Bailey Competition participants…signup today!

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