(openPR) - ST. LOUIS – Total Hockey announced today that they are kicking off the New Year with a key sponsorship title. Beginning January 1, 2009, Total Hockey is The Exclusive Ice Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey. Under the new title, Total Hockey ‘s partnership alongside USA Hockey will expand with the primary goal of growing the game of hockey.

Prior to the exclusivity of this sponsorship as the best in hockey retail, USA Hockey selected Total Hockey in 2008 as its Official Ice Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey. Together, the two organizations have worked to demonstrate their mutual commitment by increasing awareness and interest of hockey nationwide.

One key endeavor of this partnership includes Hockey Heroes, a charitable program dedicated to providing the opportunity to play hockey to those who might not otherwise have the means. Total Hockey matches each dollar donation contributed at the point of checkout. Organizations that benefit from Hockey Heroes are selected in part by USA Hockey.

Future plans of the Total Hockey and USA Hockey partnership include working together to increase player participation and fan interest while providing the best possible hockey experience by encouraging, developing and advancing the game. They also plan to raise hockey awareness at a variety of events, tournaments and player development camps in an effort to promote safety, good sportsmanship and proper equipment use.

About Total Hockey
Total Hockey is a privately held hockey equipment retailer based in St. Louis, Mo., dedicated to providing the latest in hockey equipment, superior quality merchandise and excellent customer service. Committed to growing the game of hockey, Total Hockey initially partnered with USA Hockey in 2008 as The Official Ice Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey. Further in 2008, Inc. magazine named Total Hockey one of the fastest growing privately owned companies in the United States. Founded in 1998, Total Hockey has embarked on a broad-scale expansion in specialty hockey operations through retail stores in the greater St. Louis and Chicago areas, as well as an e-commerce facility at totalhockey.net, reaching customers worldwide. For more information, call toll-free at 866.929.6699.

About USA Hockey
USA Hockey, Inc., is the national governing body for the sport of hockey in the United States ranging from youth development to the Olympic games and has nearly 600,000 members nationwide.

Total Hockey
5833 Suemandy Dr.
St. Peters, MO 63376
www.totalhockey.net

Andrea Roewe
Marketing Communications