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WEST BLOOMFIELD — The annual MI-UCP Skating to Close the Disability Divide charity hockey event with the Detroit Red Wings Alumni team will take place March 15 at St. Mary’s Arena in West Bloomfield.
For the 23rd time, the Red Wings Alumni will face off against the MI-UCP Pucksters, which is a team composed of amateur supporters of the Michigan United Cerebral Palsy organization. The annual sled hockey game between the MI-UCP Sledsters and a sled hockey program representing Belle Tire will also take place during the event, prior to the game between the Red Wings Alumni and the Pucksters.
“We started it in 2000," said Mike Ward, who is a MI-UCP board member. "We were trying to think of new ways to fundraise."
According to Ward, he reached out to Dennis Hextall, who was the previous president of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association.
“So I contacted him,” Ward said. “The guys that would play against the Alumni would raise funds to skate against them and get their butts kicked.”
Several years later, the event added a sled hockey exhibition game. According to Ward, the addition of the sled hockey game has been a massive success, with both games included as part of the event for about 15 years.
“It really changed the event in a big way,” Ward explained. “Once we did that, we were able to expand our fundraising and expand our awareness.”
The sled hockey game will be at 5 p.m. It is scheduled to take place 30 minutes after the doors open.
The organization scheduled the sled game first simply because it’s become a fan favorite of the event.
Jay Adams, who is a player for the MI-UCP Pucksters, said that the sled game is his favorite part of the event.
“I love to watch the sled hockey game,”Adams said. “It’s so amazing to see kids and adults that are disabled and are able to play the game that we all love. It’s amazing that there’s adaptations that can be made so that they can play.”
The Detroit Red Wings Alumni vs. MI-UCP Pucksters game will start at 7 p.m. Although the games are rarely close, it’s always a fantastic game that’s fun to watch.
“(The Alumni) never, ever, lose that skill,” Adams said. “It’s unbelievable to see these guys up there in age and still flying around us… It’s just an honor to get to play with these guys.”
The event will raise funds and awareness for anyone with a disability. Over the years, it has become a staple in the community.
“Our tagline for the organization is, ‘Let’s Close the Disability Divide,’” Ward said. “We advocate and have programs for anyone with a disability. That’s what we’re trying to do here and that’s what people can help us with.”
The event is free to attend. The goal is to get as many people to attend as possible and raise awareness for many great causes.
“We don’t charge for the event,” Ward explained. “We always like to push the awareness aspect… Just by coming to the event, you’re helping.”
There are also other fun activities that attendees can participate in before, during, and after the games. There’s a 50-50 raffle and a “Chuck-a-Puck” contest, which allows contestants to buy a puck and throw it onto the ice for a chance to win prizes like Red Wings tickets, Tigers tickets, and more.
“It’s just a fun event,” Ward said. “All of the money goes to the programs and services that the organization provides… All of these things are to close the gap — the gap that occurs with a disability.”
The impact that the event has on people is not lost on the players, either. Often, they can see firsthand the difference that the games are making.
“You get to see these people (at the event) that are actually receiving the benefits that you’re raising money for, and they’re so grateful and having such a great time,” Adams said. “They’re grateful for us, but I’m grateful to even have this opportunity… Everybody has such a good time at the game. It’s such a positive experience.”
To make a donation to a specific player or make a general donation for the event, visit www.mi-ucp.org/hockey.
Doors are set to open at 4:30 p.m.
Call Sports Writer Scott Bentley at (586) 498-1090.
