ECHL teams are always giving back to their local communities. Here's a look at some recent events from select teams.
Florida – The Everblades’ Hockey 101 tour continued as Everblades broadcaster Alex Reed and mascot Swampee visited the kids at the Estero Community Center summer camp on June 21. Reed and Swampee talked the kids about the different careers in hockey and sports, as well as demonstrated the different types of penalties and types of shots. One camper was dressed up as the different types of equipment were explained. Swampee took pictures for the kids, and prizes were given away.
Missouri – On June 25, Mavericks' staff and mascot Mac helped fellow volunteers paint hallways and classrooms at Blackburn Elementary School. The effort was in support of the Independence School District’s Project Shine program. The program and its volunteers help to paint and clean up schools for the next school year. The annual initiative was executed at five Independence schools on this day. Volunteers and the local community have made the program extremely successful.
Reading – The Royals have partnered with the Olivet Boys & Girls Club to provide four hockey clinics throughout the summer to the boys & girls throughout the club (close to 200 kids ages 6-14). The series kicked off on June 21 and 28 with HUGE success! Most of these children have never had the chance to play hockey or even attend a Royals game. Through this partnership, the kids were able to learn basic floor hockey skills, interact with Royals Mascot Slapshot and build teamwork skills with their peers. The clinic ran for an hour and a half and was composed of a brief informational session (hockey rules, equipment, etc.) followed by a rotational game of 5-on-5 as well as agility and hockey skills stations. It was a tremendous success!
Toledo – Walleye Captain Jared “Nightmare” Nightingale, players Michael “Leo the Lion” Leone, Austin “The Alaskan Assassin” Wuthrich, Alden “Holy Toledo” Hirschfeld, and strength and conditioning coach Dan “Monster” Jones competed in an American Gladiator style competition during the Toledo Mud Hens American Gladiator Promotion Night on June 30. The fierce competition involved several contests of epic proportions during inning breaks, pushing the competitors to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion. In the end, Nightingale finished on top and was presented the champions belt by none other than former American Gladiator, Nitro, who made a special appearance for the promotion. Needless to say, fun was had by one and all!
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers