On Friday, Oct. 28, Nashville Predators center David Legwand and mascot GNASH surprised a Franklin neighborhood as part of the Predators Amateur & Youth Hockey Department's Taking Hockey to the Streets program. Thirty-five street hockey players in the Polk Place subdivision in Franklin were surprised when Legwand, GNASH and Predators staff arrived in the late afternoon to literally take hockey to the streets in a friendly game of street hockey--the neighborhood vs. the Predators. The children, who ranged in age from 5 to 13, split up into two teams led by captains Legwand and GNASH. Team GNASH beat Team Legwand 6-4 in an exciting but friendly street hockey game as the neighborhood cheered. All kids in attendance received Predators prize packs and autographs from Legwand and GNASH.

"Taking Hockey to the Streets" is designed to identify local neighborhoods where kids gather to play casual games of street hockey. The program provides an exciting opportunity for young fans to interact with GNASH and Predators players, coaches, and staff and also helps to promote membership growth in the sport of hockey at the grassroots level in Middle Tennessee. If street hockey is played in your neighborhood and you would like "Taking Hockey to the Streets" to schedule a surprise visit, please have an adult contact the Predators Amateur & Youth Hockey Department at (615) 770-2372.

The Predators Street Team will arrive equipped with street hockey nets, street hockey sticks, balls, goalie equipment--everything needed for a friendly game. This offers youngsters the opportunity to sample what it's like to play hockey. All equipment used at neighborhood visits has been donated by the NHL through the NHL Street program and the Nashville Predators Street Pride program. The Street Pride program takes hockey off the ice and onto your streets. For more information, visit the Street Pride page.