Local skaters enjoy chance to play with the pros

• Edmonton Oilers' player Tom Gilbert, right, skates with youth

Tom Gilbert of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, right, plays alongside the youth players participating in the 3-on-3 tournament. Photo by Jordan Willi
• LA Kings mascot, Bailey the Lion, catches a child in his mouth

The Los Angeles Kings mascot, Bailey the Lion, catches a child in his mouth during some down time before the opening ceremonies at Davis Drewiske’s 3-on-3 Youth Hockey Tournament on Friday night. Photo by Jordan Willi
• Group photo of all 3-on-3 tournament participants

All the kids who took part in the 3-on-3 tournament congregate for a picture with the NHL players and Bailey, the L.A. Kings mascot in Raider Arena. Photo by Jordan Willi
• NHL players pose with Bailey the Lion

Bailey the Lion looks down at the assembled cast of NHL players as they pose for a picture Friday night at the Opening Ceremonies for the tournament. Pictured are, front from left, Brian Elliot (recently signed with the St. Louis Blues, NHL); Adam Burrish (Dallas Stars, NHL); Scott Parse (Los Angeles Kings, NHL); Davis Drewiske (Los Angeles Kings, NHL); Peter Harrold (Los Angeles Kings, NHL); and Matt Greene (Los Angeles Kings, NHL); back, Josh Engel (Toronto Marlies, American Hockey League (AHL)); Jeff Likens (Nuemberg Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, German Ice Hockey League); Tom Gilbert (Edmonton Oilers, NHL); Derek Stepan (New York Rangers, NHL); Jake Dowell (Dallas Stars, NHL); Andy Brandt (Manitoba Moose, AHL); and Andrew Joudrey (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL). Photo by Jordan Willi

Talk about it

Friday night, July 15, was anything but normal for local skaters as they spent time with professional hockey players from both the NHL and American Hockey League.

The second annual Davis Drewiske 3-on-3 Youth Hockey Tournament gave 70 kids from the ages of 7 to 14 the opportunity to play alongside some of the of the NHL’s up and coming young stars both on and off the ice. The event raised money to benefit the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HSDA) and the Hudson Hockey Association. Between 300 and 400 people made it out to the rink with just over 100 volunteers helping out in the food tent and at various activity stations.

Skaters who participated in the festivities along with Drewiske, included, Josh Engel of the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, Jeff Likens of the Nuemberg Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the German Ice Hockey League, Tom Gilbert of the Edmonton Oilers, Derek Stepan of the New York Rangers, Jake Dowell and Adam Burrish of the Dallas Stars, Andy Brandt of the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, Andrew Joudrey of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Brian Elliot who recently signed with the St. Louis Blues. Scott Parse, Peter Harrold, Matt Greene and Kevin Westgarth, who all play with Drewiske on the Los Angeles Kings, were also in attendance.

Each team of six skaters was paired with a professional player for 40 minutes of 3-on-3 hockey. The kids also played in a massive game of dodge ball with some of the pros joining in on the fun. Other activities, such as a “Minute to Win It” station, were available for the kids to participate in.

A silent auction full of hockey memorabilia and equipment and a 50/50 raffle were held to help raise money for the HSDA. All the proceeds from the food and beverage tent were given to the Hudson Hockey Association to assist the association in paying for new floors and replacing the Freon-based refrigeration system in Gornick Arena.

Right now, plans are in the works to put together a third tournament next summer, but no details have been hashed out as of yet.

Tags: sports, hockey, proam