Avalanche players Marek Svatos and Tyler Arnason each started skating at the age of three. Neither admitted that the first time on the ice was very pretty and that was the case for the Monaco Elementary fifth graders.

About 50 had the opportunity to skate for the first time and they got a bit of help and encouragement from the two pros. It was all smiles at Family Sports, the Avs’ practice facility, as they participated in the Break the Ice program.

The program is designed to teach kids to get out and skate, not only to spread the growth of the sport, but to reward the kids.

“It’s awesome,” said Svatos, who was coached by his dad. “Just to see their happy faces is great.”

Ron Kickbush, who was rewarded ith the trip to the rink because of perfect ttendance, said his favorite part about the day was watching people fall.

“It’s funny,” he said. “But every time we fall we get right up.”

 The kids didn’t quite break the ice but they had fun trying!