The fourth Annual “Ace’s Got Skills” program, supported by the National Hockey League (NHL) and operated by RDW Marketing & Media, will hold its National Championships at the Walter A. Brown Arena Memorial Skating Pavilion in Boston on June 27-29. (    video recap of Nashville's local Ace's Got Skills competition )

The event, featuring 130 boys and girls from across the country including 16 players representing the Nashville Predators, was launched in memory of Garnet “Ace” Bailey. Ace was an 11-year veteran of the NHL and a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. On September 11, 2001, Ace was performing his duties as director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings when his plane struck one of the World Trade Center Towers.

Modeled after the NHL’s popular All-Star SuperSkills Competition, the “Ace’s Got Skills” program gives players ages 9-12 the opportunity to test their skills in skating, puck handling, shooting, and goaltending categories. Regional winners from 10 NHL markets will compete in the National Championships.

The Predators would like to congratulate the following players representing Nashville in their given events:
Taylor Saxon (Fastest Skater), Andrew Washburn (Accuracy, Shootout), Brendan Smith (Hardest Shot), Zachary Rodgers (Goalie), Connor Smith (Goalie), Micheal Nodarse (Fastest Skater), Malcolm Cardwell (Accuracy, Top Skills), Russell Morris (Hardest Shot), Warren Preston (Shootout), James Mainland (Goalie), Nathaniel Chiarizzio (Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot), Tyler Decker (Accuracy, Shootout), Tyler Rettke (Goalie), Jake Malezis (Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, Shootout, Top Skills), Braden Pichel (Accuracy), and Teddy Bunton (Goalie).

For information on Ace’s Got Skills event, please visit www.acesgotskills.com.