Mason ice hockey hosting benefit game and silent auction to raise money for charity

Last year's event raised over $17,000 for the Fisher House Foundation; plan to raise $20,000 this year. (Photo courtesy of George Mason Ice Hockey.)

The George Mason ice hockey team will be participating in the third annual Hockey Day in Virginia charity game against the National Capital Region Military Eagles, a hockey team comprised of men currently serving in all branches of the military, on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Prince William Ice Center in Dale City at 2 p.m.

The game will benefit two local charities. The first, Our Military Kids, is a Fairfax-based charity that supports the children of the National Guard, military reserve members and the children of members of the Wounded Warrior project. The second, So Kids Can, is a fundraiser created by the Washington Capitals, Caps players and Elliot Segal of DC101’s “Elliot in the Morning show,” that benefits local youth-focused nonprofit organizations.

“It’s an important aspect to being a good hockey player,” said Steve Hyjek, head coach of the Mason hockey team. “To be able to give back to the community and to the military families that sacrifice so much for us is really important to me.”

Last year the event was attended by 450-500 people and raised 17,700 dollars for the Fisher House Foundation. This year, Hyjek hopes the event will surpass both those figures.

Tickets to the game cost 10 dollars. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction showcasing signed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB memorabilia with all the proceeds being divided equally between the two charities.

“We can’t raise money without fannies in the seats,” Hyjek said.

The event will also feature local media and sports celebrities such as Elliot Segal, Capitals alumni Peter Bondra and Craig Laughlin and Tyler Tolliver,a local  country artist and active-duty U.S. Marine.

“It’s amazing seeing all the people who stepped up to make this a big event,” said Ryan Mehalic, a coordinator for the event. “I can’t wait to absorb the atmosphere and watch the teams have fun together.”

For more information on both charities, visit their web sites at www.ourmilitarykids.org and www.dc101.com/pages/sokidscan.html.