Lace up your skates. InterSkate in Clayton is serving up some winter fun with the help of Central Carolina Hockey.

Nearly four years ago, InterSkate began an in-house hockey program. This year, the program is expanding to allow hockey lovers from ages 5 to 16 to try out “Learn to Play Hockey” clinics and “House Leagues.” Jake Plancon of Central Carolina Hockey said already, nearly 40 players have signed up and he hopes to get more before the Dec. 31 deadline.

“The reception has been unbelievable,” he said.

Plancon said he hopes to have 100 children signed up for the program next year.

Kieth Debords with InterSkate said the program has offered kids from Garner and Cleveland the opportunity to play hockey closer to home. Many have had to travel to Apex or Raleigh to compete because they didn’t know the hockey program was available.

“It’ll be good for the community,” he said.

Central Carolina Hockey oversees many rinks throughout the state and offers structured lessons to teach children the game of hockey.

The program will offer “Learn to Play” classes Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. from Jan. 9 through Mar. 6. The 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U house leagues will play on designated nights for each age group.

Over the last year, Plancon has worked with InterSkate to offer free clinics and found that many kids had equipment that didn’t fit correctly or they weren’t wearing safety equipment at all.

To remedy that, Central Carolina Hockey is offering a Learn to Play Hockey equipment package for $375. This includes all brand new custom-fitted equipment and the eight-week class for beginning players. Plancon said the equipment package is a great Christmas gift for young hockey lovers. For more information about Central Carolina Hockey, call 919-851-5580.