Photo by Andee Boiman Predators forward Jordin Tootoo and a teammate discuss strategy during the Predators' Oct. 9 street hockey visit to Old Hickory.

As the Nashville Predators begin their 2006-2007 season, the Predators Taking Hockey to the Streets campaign is gearing up again in communities around Nashville. Representatives of the Predators packed up their vans and traveled to a neighborhood in the Green Acres subdivision in Old Hickory, Tenn. on Monday, October 9, where approximately 20 neighborhood children were treated to a surprise visit by Predators forwards Jordin Tootoo and Scottie Upshall, mascot GNASH and members of the Predators' Amateur & Youth Hockey staff.

The fun-filled afternoon began with anxious neighborhood kids taking part in a pregame warm-up. That was followed by a street hockey game in which Upshall sided with a group of children to compose one team and GNASH joined other neighborhood friends to form the other team with Jordin Tootoo.  Team Upshall and Team Tootoo participated in a friendly match of street hockey, allowing the neighborhood street hockey players to showcase their skills.  At the conclusion of the game, Tootoo, Upshall and GNASH posed for photos and signed autographs for all participants.

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. It 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.

Oct. 9, 2006: Old Hickory visit (8 photos)

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 would be like to play hockey. All equipment used at neighborhood visits has been donated by the National Hockey League 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.