Skating With The Crimson: Harvard's Men's Ice Hockey Team Hosts Allston-Brighton Youth Clinic

Former head coach and director of athletics Bill Cleary '56 started it more than 10 years ago as a way to connect Harvard's men's ice hockey team with the local community.

Today, it remains one of the most popular community service initiatives undertaken by Harvard's department of athletics. Not just for the community, but for the student-athletes themselves.

Harvard and head coach Ted Donato '91 hosted the annual Allston-Brighton Youth Hockey Clinic in January, which brought more than 50 youngsters to the Bright Hockey Center to meet and learn from the current members of the Crimson team.

The clinic hits close to home -- literally -- for one member of the squad in senior captain Noah Welch.

"It's really something important and special to me that we do this clinc," said Welch. "I grew up in Brighton and skated here with the Harvard guys when I was little. I loved it, and I still remember what I great time I had when I had the opportunity to skate with college players.

"It's a great opportunity for us to give back to the community," Welch continued, "and it really is a lot of fun to get out there with the younger guys and have some fun."