SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Wild, Let's Play Hockey and Minnesota Hockey will partner for the ninth straight year for the annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive across the Twin Cities. Berger Transfer will place drop-off boxes at select arenas and hockey shops starting Friday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 24.

From 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Oct. 1, thousands of pieces of donated equipment will be distributed for free to hockey associations and individuals at Xcel Energy Center. Goalie equipment, sticks and helmets are always the most in need.

Sponsors and partners for the program, in alphabetical order, include: Berger Transfer, FOX Sports North, Herb Brooks Foundation, KFAN, Let's Play Hockey, Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association, Minnesota Hockey, Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association, Minnesota Wild, Total Hockey, Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League and Westwood Sports.

"We are excited to continue with the ninth annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive," said Bryan Zollman, publisher of Let's Play Hockey. "We encourage anyone with old hockey equipment laying around their house or in their garage to donate it to the drive. Doing so will give other young hockey players the opportunity to get involved and enjoy the great game of hockey."

Drop-off locations this year include: Apple Valley Sports Arena, Bloomington Ice Garden, Braemar Arena (Edina), Burnsville Ice Center, Eagan Civic Arena, Hastings Civic Arena, HealthEast Sports Center (Woodbury), Lakeville Ames Arena, Maple Grove Community Center, Minnetonka Ice Arena, New Hope Ice Arena, Plymouth Ice Center, Rogers Activity Center, Rosemount Community Center, Schwan Super Rink (Blaine), St. Croix Valley Recreation Center (Stillwater), St. Louis Park Recreation Center, Tartan Arena (Oakdale), Waconia Ice Arena and White Bear Lake Sports Center. Total Hockey in Burnsville, Edina, Maplewood and Minnetonka, and Westwood Sports in Apple Valley are also drop-off locations.

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