FAIRBANKS More than 80 percent of the qualified programs around Alaska are participating this week in the Alaska Athletic Trainers Association Safety in Hockey Campaign Among them are the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Anchorage in addition to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs who compete in the North American Hockey League The Pack Monroe Catholic North Pole Wasilla Colony Eagle River East Anchorage Chugiak Dimond West Anchorage South Anchorage and Service are the high school programs involved in the campaign which began Sunday and ends Saturday According to Alaskaataorg the Safety in Hockey Campaigns mission statement is to promote the health safety and well-being of each student-athlete at every level across the state The website states its goal is to educate those in the state of Alaska who have an interest in the sport of hockey on the importance of safety and what measures those individuals can do to achieve the highest level of safety within their program while its secondary goal is to promote the athletic training profession and its importance to safety in all sports with the focus on hockey This past fall the AATA hosted a Safety in Football Campaign that included participation from various Interior schools For the Safety in Hockey Campaign the AATA will effectively communicate with players and coaches through in-person discussions handouts and social media Teams participating in the campaign also will wear helmet stickers featuring an AATA logo inside the states outline In order for teams to participate they must be under the care of an athletic trainer Visit Alaskaataorg for more information about the campaign Contact News-Miner sports writer Brad Joyal at 459-7530 Follow him on Twitter FDNMSportsGuy