The 2012 hockey season is dead due to a lockout, but that doesn't mean hockey stars can't continue to put their talents to good use. Hockey All-Stars Brad Richards and Scott Hartnell have partnered with Caesars Atlantic City to organize a charity hockey game that will benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief.
"Operation Hat Trick" will take place at the Historic Boardwalk hall in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, November 24. Proceeds from the charity game will go towards the Empire State Relief Fund, the New Jersey Hurricane Relief Fund and the American Red Cross. These groups are there to help those in parts of New York and New Jersey that were deeply affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"We are all overwhelmed by the damage and destruction caused to our area by Hurricane Sandy and as professional hockey players, we wanted to come together to help those who were victimized by the storm," said Brad Richards of the New York Rangers in a release. "While we know the road to recovery is long, we hope a hockey game featuring some of the top players in our sport will help rally additional support for the three great organizations that are committed to helping rebuild our area."
Richards and Hartnell, of the Philadelphia Flyers will each captain a team made up of several of their professional teammates and other hockey all-stars throughout the country.
"The lives that have been touched by the devastation are people in our own communities and the communities of our fans," said Scott Hartnell. "To have the opportunity to be able to raise money for the relief effort by participating in this game is an honor and we are asking fans of the tri-state area to assist in anyway they can to help the communities and people affected."
Some hockey stars who will either be playing or who are in support of the cause include : Bobby Ryan, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk, Simon Gagne, Ville Leino, Daniel Carcillo, Steve Eminger, Jeff Halpern, Brian Boyle, Jody Shelley, John Carlson, Taylor Pyatt, Steve Downie, Wayne Simmonds and James Neal.
"We are grateful that these athletes have come together to assist in our ongoing rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Sandy," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. "I'm hopeful that their efforts will be met with overwhelming support from those who are in a position to attend to help our recovery organizations."
"A roster of this magnitude reads as though Atlantic City is hosting the American and International All-Star hockey game of the year - all to benefit those in our region affected by Hurricane Sandy," said Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment. "I applaud the efforts of difference-makers like Brad Richards and Scott Hartnell, and the rest of these hockey-world superstars, as well as our phenomenal partners like the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Boardwalk Hall and Reebok," said Marrandino.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, November 16 at 10am and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, or by calling 800-736-1420. Prices range from $20- $100.
For more information about the Operation Hat Trick, visit www.facebook.com/atlanticcityheroes.
