The Boston Bruins partnered with Massachusetts Hockey in 1999 to create the “Invest in Youth Hockey” license plate program. The Massachusetts Legislature passed the initiative in 2002 and license plates started being sold. As stated in the legislation, “The establishment of a youth hockey promotion fund (is to) offset the costs of participating in youth hockey and promote improvement of parent and player behavior.” These funds support programs to increase ice hockey participation including town, girls’/ women and adaptive hockey.
In December of 1999, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch - then a state senator - and Bruins President Harry Sinden joined former Mass Hockey President Dan Esdale at Murphy Rink in South Boston to announce the filing of a bill in the Massachusetts legislature to create a new license plate to benefit Mass Youth Hockey.
Following his election to the United State Congress, Lynch continued to push for the bill's passage. Finally in 2002, Congressman Lynch and Sinden along with Senator Guy Glodis, Senator Jack Hart and Representative Marty Walsh prevailed and the Bruins "Invest in Youth Hockey" license plate was on the road.
Boston Bruins describe the history and relationship with Massachusetts Hockey about the Bruins License Plate.