Saturday, January 7, 2012

Kitchener Rangers Face off for Charity in a Very Special Game

Press Release

The Kitchener Rangers will face off against the Cambridge Ice Hounds and Kitchener Ice Pirates at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (Dom Cardillo Arena) on Monday, January 16th between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the 5th Annual Charity Game to Support Special Needs Hockey in Waterloo Region. Entrance to this game is free; however nominal cash donations will be accepted at the door to help support the teams. As these teams are entirely voluntary, all money raised goes directly toward improving the on-ice experience for the players.

The Ice Hounds and Ice Pirates are two local hockey teams comprised of close to 100 children and adults that have developmental or physical challenges that prevent them from participating in traditional hockey programs. The goal of this program is to provide individuals with an opportunity to experience the great Canadian game in a setting where there are no age groups, no tryouts, and everyone has a role. Players don't need to know how to skate, hold a stick or handle a puck though many of them do this very well. All that is required is a heart and desire to do what many others take for granted; being part of a team, learning about teamwork and most of all having fun playing Canada’s game. The teams travel all over southwestern Ontario to face other teams in many major cities. Friendships are made during these games and the experiences will last a lifetime.

Each season closes in April with the Jim Gregory Friendship Tournament. This season the tournament will be held in London, England. The annual tournament brings together teams from across North America and England once a year for a major gathering. There are no elimination rounds, no one team is crowned champion. In our eyes they are all champions.

Kitchener will play host to the Special Hockey International Tournament in March 2013. To help get the word out about this huge event a media and volunteer reception will be held in the Subscriber’s Lounge at the Aud at 4:30 p.m. on January 16th, prior to the Rangers game. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about our local special hockey teams as well as what will be involved in hosting this incredible tournament.

For more information on this event or the Cambridge Ice Hounds, please visit: http://www.cambridgeicehounds.com.

For more information on the Kitchener Ice Pirates, please visit http://kitchenerminorhockey.com/Categories/1638/.

For more information on the 2013 Special Hockey International Tournament, please visit: http://www.shikitchener2013.ca/

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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