Scholastic esports company PlayVS announced plans for Game On, a new National Hockey League (NHL)/National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) scholastic gaming crossover initiative aimed at high school students in the United States.
The “no-cost competitive gaming program” for young players in the United States promises to combine gameplay on the PlayVS platform with “local NHL club engagement” through the spring and summer. The initiative will initially take place in three key NHL Club markets: the home turf of the New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, and Detroit Red Wings, alongside a national, online tournament featuring EA Sports NHL 25.
The initiative is being funded by the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund (IGF), and aims to promote “access, inclusion, and connection through gaming.” While not emphatically stated, the goal of this program is to promote the NHL brand in local markets and create engagement with young fans. The program is aimed at young people between 13-21 years old.
“Gaming has the power to bring today’s young players together in ways that are both meaningful and lasting,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS. “Through this partnership with the NHL/NHLPA’s Industry Growth Fund, we’re not only creating new opportunities for players to engage with their favorite sport, but also helping them develop critical life skills–like leadership, communication, and resilience–through healthy competition. We’re excited to continue expanding access to competitive gaming and making esports and gaming a core part of the school experience.”
In addition, PlayVS announced that high schools will also take part in club-specific activations throughout the Spring season, including in-person events and student engagement with the aforementioned NHL franchises. The first activation took place on March 20 with the New Jersey Devils as part of the team’s Devils Gaming Group Theme Night, where 40 or so students and coaches were hosted at the Devils Gaming Group Lounge at Prudential Center to play EA SPORTS NHL 25—the event also included special guest appearances by New Jersey Devils Executives, Devils Alumni and Mascot NJ Devil.
Finally, the season will culminate in a virtual, national EA Sports NHL 25 tournament from June 13-15—registration for the tournament will open through PlayVS’ Stadium platform in mid-May.