ECHL Community Recap

Colorado – On Saturday, Nov. 26, when the Eagles took on the Rapid City Rush, they were also helping raise money for local children’s charities throughout Northern Colorado. The “Stick Up for Kids” night is a special event presented with the help of The UPS Stores of Fort Collins that directly benefits these charities. The Eagles players used specially-designed hockey sticks that were auctioned off throughout the evening. Winners of the sticks then had the chance to meet the player whose stick they purchased in the Eagles’ locker room following the game. All of the proceeds from the auction went directly to four local charities including Realities for Children, Respite Care Inc., The Kawasaki Kids Foundation and Special Olympics Colorado. With the generous donations from Eagles fans, the team raised over $46,000 during the game for the children’s organizations!

Elmira – The Jackals participated in the annual D3: Disability, Dream & Do Hockey Camp at First Arena in conjunction with the Dave Clark Foundation. D3 events provide children and young adults who have special needs an opportunity to play with, and learn from, top performers. The experience inspires future achievement and provides resources to enhance independence. The entire Jackals team ran hockey drills with the campers, teaching them how to pass and shoot, among other hockey skills. The campers rotated between five different stations during the two hour clinic and the day concluded with each participant getting the opportunity to take a penalty shot against a Jackals player (goalie Andy Iles and forward Mike Duco served as the goalies). Dave Clark himself gave an inspiration speech to the team before the camp began. The Jackals then hosted D3 Night, where fundraising tickets were sold to raise money for the Dave Clark Foundation, at their game Nov. 19.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA4ruVBTnuk

Missouri – For the second consecutive year, the Missouri Mavericks visited families staying in the NICU at three HCA Midwest hospitals to deliver Thanksgiving meals and cheer. Mavericks’ ownership, staff and mascots served the meals, courtesy of Plowboys BBQ, to over 100 families throughout the evening.

Toledo – Ho Ho Ho! The Toledo Walleye had so much fun spreading holiday cheer as we held our annual Red Kettle Day on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Walleye Captain Jared Nightingale was joined by Michael Leone, Jacob MacDonald, Simon Denis, Mathew Santos, Nolan Zajac, Tyler Sikura, Matt Caito, and members of the front office to ring the bell throughout the day at the Anderson’s Store in Maumee, Ohio. Thanks to those who dropped in more than $2,300 in loose change and dollar bills to go towards the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Drive, and raise awareness about the need for volunteers.

Tulsa – On Nov. 1, five Tulsa Oilers’ players helped kick off the sixth annual Food Drive benefitting “Broken Arrow Neighbors” at Childers Middle School. The players spoke at a school assembly for the students about the food drive and fun events planned. They then teamed up with Childers Middle School faculty for a jalapeno eating contest which lasted one minute and was very intense. In the end, faculty from the eighth grade team won, with help from Oilers’ defenseman Jacob Poe.