Skate with the pros fund-raiser July 15

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A dozen NHL players are gathering at the Hudson Hockey Arena on Friday, July 15, for a unique fund-raising event to benefit the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HSDA) and the Hudson Hockey Association.

This event will give boys and girls ages 7 to 14 the opportunity to skate 3-on-3 hockey with an NHL player and take part in a host of other fun and fast paced activities.

Davis Drewiske, a Hudson native and member of the Los Angeles Kings, is hosting the event for the second year. Over 160 players and nearly 500 adults attended last year’s event.

Pro players scheduled to skate with the kids include Drewiske, Matt Greene, Kevin Westgarth, Peter Harrold and Scott Parse of the LA Kings, Jake Dowell of the Chicago Black Hawks, Ryan McDonough and Derek Stepan of the New York Rangers, Tom Gilbert of the Edmonton Oilers, Adam Burish of the Dallas Stars, Brian Elliot of the Colorado Avalanche and Blake Geoffrion of the Nashville Predators.

Eau Claire native Dowell, a former teammate of Drewiske’s at the University of Wisconsin has been directly impacted by HD, as his father John and brother Luke both have Huntington’s and Jake has a fifty-percent chance of carrying the gene as well.

Huntington’s Disease is an inherited brain disorder that affects a person’s cognitive ability or mobility. HD slowly diminishes an individual’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason.

Teams of six will be paired with an NHL player for 40 minutes of 3-on-3 hockey at the July 15 event. There will also be off-ice skills training sessions with Pete and Dean Talafous of Total Hockey.

All players will receive individual and team autographed photos of “their” NHL player and a jersey and T-shirt. Numerous other fun activities are planned for players and their families ranging from pre-school to senior citizens. New challenges include a hockey obstacle course, dodge ball and a minute-to-win-it station.

A variety of hockey memorabilia and equipment will be available via a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. All items in the auction are authentic NHL issue. Proceeds from the food and beverage tent will go to the Hudson Hockey Association.

For more information, or to register on-line, e-mail: 3on3forHD@gmail.com or call Jennifer Pope at (31) 535-4466.

The doors open at 3 p.m. The opening ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to watch the activities and stay for a live, family friendly, pop-rock show by the band, Daizy Head Mazy, from 9 p.m. to midnight. There is no charge for the public or family members to attend the hockey event or evening entertainment.

Tags: sports, hockey, proam, events