For students like junior Christopher Trotter, cost is no longer a deterrent to attend high school hockey games. Now  admission is free with a student ID.

In the past, ticket revenue went to the St. Louis Park School District general fund. Now the St. Louis Park Youth Hockey Association will give $2 to the high school hockey program for each student who attends a game.

Athletic director Andy Ewald said the change was made to increase attendance, and was suggested by the St. Louis Park Youth Hockey Association.

“We hope it increases the number of students who attend. More student fans always make for a better home environment,” Ewald said.

Trotter said he thinks free games are beneficial to the school spirit.

“I think free games are great because it will attract more students to the games, which will bring more support,” Trotter said.

St. Louis Park Youth Hockey Board member Paul Wandmacher said the board made the decision to start free admissions and increase support for coaches.

“We really think both Coach (Angie) Johnson and Coach (Charlie) McChesney are doing great things with their programs, and we want to help support them in any way possible,” Wandmacher said.

Junior Alexis Baker plays varsity hockey and said the new free admission will hopefully attract more students.

“If it’s free, more people will come, which would be awesome,” Baker said. “It will definitely be better for the team to see more students supporting us.”

Junior Alyssa Rauchman said she is now considering attending a few games.

“I’ve never gone to a hockey game, but I might go now because it’s free. It will definitely bring more people to the games,” Rauchman said.

Although the St. Louis Park Youth Hockey Board is allocating funds for this, the decision is beneficial for school spirit, according to Paul Wandmacher.

“We’d like to see as many students as possible attending the games and supporting their friends and classmates,” Wandmacher said.

Admission without a student ID is $4.