Tucson Roadrunners and Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation Continue Partnership to Bring Shott’s Tots to Tucson

September 15, 2026

USA Hockey and NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play Program Returns to Southern Arizona

TUCSON, AZ – The Tucson Roadrunners, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Utah Mammoth, today announced the continued partnership with the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation to bring another season of Shott’s Tots to Tucson.

In collaboration with USA Hockey and the NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play program, Shott’s Tots will continue to provide Southern Arizona youth with an opportunity to take their first steps into the game of hockey.

Following the successful launch of Shott’s Tots in Tucson last season, the partnership returns to provide another year of Learn to Play programming while continuing to make hockey more accessible to children and families throughout Southern Arizona.

“Last season, we saw firsthand the impact Shott’s Tots had on introducing young players and their families to hockey here in Tucson,” said Tucson Roadrunners President Bob Hoffman. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation and build on that momentum by welcoming even more kids to the game this season.”

The NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play program provides equipment and logistical support to participating organizations, including the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation and Tucson Junior Roadrunners. The program introduces young players to fundamental hockey skills, including skating, puck handling, passing and shooting, while creating a fun and supportive environment for players to build confidence both on and off the ice.

With support from the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund (IGF), all equipment is provided for new players. Since its inception, the IGF has dedicated more than $240 million to develop programming, create initiatives, host events and provide education that drives awareness and brings hockey to communities across North America.

As part of the partnership, the Roadrunners will once again provide ice time, facilitate appearances by Roadrunners players and mascot Dusty, and offer complimentary tickets to Shott’s Tots participants and their families for select Roadrunners games throughout the season.

The Tucson program will feature 24 on-ice sessions at Tucson Arena throughout the fall and winter, divided into three separate eight-session sets:

Fall: Oct. 4 – Nov. 29, 2026
Early Winter: Dec. 5 – Jan. 30, 2027
Late Winter: Feb. 20 – Mar. 21, 2027

Registration Options

Program registration includes eight weeks of on-ice instruction led by certified coaches:

$300 – New Players (Tuition & Full Equipment Package)
$175 – Returning Players (Tuition Only)

Registration is open now. All participants must be born between 2015 and 2021. No skating experience is required, and beginners are welcome.

The first on-ice session will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 – 11:45 a.m. MST.

Program Details

Location: Tucson Convention Center
Start Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
Sessions: Eight per season
Length: 45 minutes each
Ages: 5–11

Registration & Information

To learn more about the Shott’s Tots program and participating rinks throughout Arizona, visit AZHockeyLegacy.org.