​Families in the Hagerstown area can now register girls ages 4-9 for a free introduction to hockey when DMV Girls Hockey Weekend comes to Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex as part of a regional event scheduled for Sept. 12-13.Registration is open for the program, which will take place at 18 rinks across Maryland and Virginia, according to a community announcement. The event is organized through a partnership involving the Washington Capitals, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association and youth hockey organizations throughout the region.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe weekend, previously known as DMV Girls Try Hockey for Free Day, is designed to introduce girls to the sport at no cost. A $32,991 grant from the MSE Foundation supports the program, and participants can borrow hockey equipment for one- to two-hour ice sessions.Residents can register through capsyouthhockey.com. Participating locations and equipment requirements could change, and registrants should watch for instructions from their host rink before the event, according to the announcement.Some locations also are expected to host girls hockey games before or after the free sessions.Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex is one of nine Maryland locations participating in the regional effort.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOther Maryland sites include Reisterstown Sportsplex in Reisterstown, Bowie Ice Arena in Bowie, Columbia Ice Rink in Columbia, Rockville Ice Arena in Rockville, Brigade Sports Center in Annapolis, Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, The Gardens Ice House in Laurel and Tucker Road Ice Rink in Fort Washington.Virginia locations include Ashburn Ice House, MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Iceland of Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach, Mount Vernon RECenter in Alexandria, Prince William Ice Center in Woodbridge, SkateQuest in Reston, Richmond Ice Zone in Chesterfield, Lancerlot Sports Complex in Vinton and The St. James in Springfield.DMV Girls Hockey Weekend aligns with USA Hockey’s Try Hockey for Free initiative. According to the announcement, the program gives local youth an opportunity to experience hockey during a free introductory session while providing youth hockey organizations a chance to connect with interested families.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOrganizers launched the regional girls-only event in partnership with PVAHA in 2023 with 16 participating rinks and clubs. Last year, 18 locations took part and more than 630 girls ages 4-9 tried hockey for the first time.According to the announcement, participation by girls in the Future Caps Learn to Play program increased by more than 8% less than seven days after last year’s event.USA Hockey data cited in the announcement also points to continued growth in hockey participation across the Washington region since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The number of registered girls and women players in Washington, Maryland and Virginia has increased by